Overview
- University of Edinburgh scientists assessed 21 volcanic formations and identified eight UK sites with a combined mid-range storage potential exceeding 3,000 million tonnes of CO2.
- The Antrim Lava Group was estimated at about 1,400 million tonnes, Borrowdale at roughly 700 million tonnes, and the Skye Lava Group at about 600 million tonnes.
- The method injects CO2 dissolved in water into calcium- and magnesium-rich rocks where it reacts to form stable solid carbonates underground.
- Findings were published in Earth Science, Systems and Society with funding from the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council, and the team plans detailed tests of effective porosity and rock reactivity.
- The authors recommend considering these formations for future direct air capture projects, while separate reporting says the government has been in talks with Climeworks on a proposed Silver Birch plant at Stanlow and critics question the costs, energy use and safety.