We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the second geoelectric survey by the OGS team at the Castiglioncello magnesite mine in Tuscany (Italy), a key step in our ongoing efforts to understand the dynamics of natural mineral carbonation for long-term CO₂ storage.
This new survey focused on a targeted transect across the mineralisation, building on previous work to deliver high-resolution imaging of the subsurface. The data will enable us to refine our understanding of the continuity and depth extent of the magnesite body and associated alteration zones.
This step is essential for enhancing our geophysical model of the deposit, supporting both scientific interpretation and potential future evaluation of the site as a natural analogue for carbon storage.
Stay tuned for further updates as we integrate these results with geochemical and mineralogical data from the 2025 field campaign!
We’re excited to have shared the initial findings from the STORECO2 project at the AGU 2024 Fall Meeting in Washington!
Our contribution to the session “Advances in CO2 Capture, Transport, Utilisation and Storage” focused on the early insights we’ve gained into natural CO2 sequestration through serpentinite carbonation looking at natural analogues in the Ligurian Ophiolite of Tuscany.
It has been a great time for discussion and exchanging new ideas with the scientific community. We look forward to building on these early findings and contributing to the ongoing efforts to combat climate change!
The CCS Lab aims to be a key player in advancing technologies to reduce CO₂ emissions. Established within the Institute of Geosciences and Georesources, the lab focuses on developing and applying Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Mineral Carbon Capture and Storage (CCMS), technologies essential for a sustainable energy transition.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): A Solution for the Future
CCS is a cutting-edge technology designed to capture CO₂ from hard-to-abate industrial sectors and store it in deep geological formations. This process prevents CO₂ from entering the atmosphere, making a significant contribution to combating climate change and achieving carbon neutrality goals.
CCMS: The Innovative Alternative
CCMS builds upon CCS by utilizing mafic and ultramafic rocks (e.g., basalts, peridotites, serpentinites) that chemically react with CO₂. Through mineral carbonation, CO₂ is converted into stable carbonates (e.g., magnesite, calcite) and stored permanently over geological timescales.
This approach also involves using industrial by-products rich in calcium and magnesium, such as steelmaking and cement residues, providing a sustainable solution for recycling waste materials and reducing emissions. CCMS not only paves the way for a low-carbon future but also fosters a circular economy and helps achieve “end of waste” goals for industrial residues.
The Role of the CCS Lab
The CCS Lab conducts research on CCS and CCMS technologies across diverse geological contexts, with a particular focus on the Mediterranean region. Combining multidisciplinary expertise, state-of-the-art instrumentation, and advanced methods like machine learning and geological modeling, the lab tackles complex challenges such as:
Investigating natural carbonation processes in mafic and ultramafic rocks
Identifying optimal conditions for mineral carbonation
Assessing the effectiveness of CCMS technologies
Mapping suitable CO₂ storage sites in Italy
Conducting feasibility studies and monitoring for CCS and CCMS facilities
Developing scalable, sustainable solutions for large-scale implementation
The CCS Lab’s multidisciplinary approach bridges cutting-edge research with practical applications, driving innovation and supporting a sustainable energy transition.
Contributing to Environmental Sustainability
Through constant research and innovation, the CCS Lab leads the way in carbon storage technologies, offering tangible solutions to global climate challenges. By combining pioneering science with practical applications, the lab accelerates decarbonization efforts.
Learn more about the CCS Lab’s activities and join us in shaping a low-carbon future.
We are excited to announce the start of our soil sampling campaign at the Castiglioncello magnesite mine, a crucial part of the STORECO2 project.
In the coming weeks, our team will collect soil samples from various locations around the mine to analyse mineral composition and geochemical properties. These samples will help us better understand the natural processes that led to magnesite formation and how the environment responds to this process. The Castiglioncello mine (Livorno, Italy) will serve as a key natural analogue for assessing potential environmental impact of large-scale carbon storage through mineral carbonation .
We are excited to announce our recent contribution at the European Mineralogical Society (EMC) conference. Our research team presented an abstract titled “Metal mobility during serpentinite carbonation: evaluating recovery potential and environmental impact” showcasing our latest findings in the field of mineral carbonation and critical raw materials.
This conference provided an invaluable platform to share our advancements with fellow researchers and experts, facilitating discussions on innovative methodologies and emerging trends in mineralogical research. Our presentation highlighted the mobility of potentially hazardous metals during mineral carbonation, contributing to the ongoing effort on the understanding how to upscale safely mineral carbonation techniques. Below you can see a compositional map of carbonated serpentinite, highlighting the distribution of chromium, iron and nickel. The small insert instead shows different XANES patterns for Cr species.
For more details on our research and future presentations, stay tuned to our project updates.
We are excited to announce the successful completion of a seismic survey conducted as part of the STORECO2 project. This survey was carried out by the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) and represents a significant milestone in our efforts to characterise the subsurface structures of the study area.
The seismic survey will provide detailed insights into the geological formations, helping us to map subsurface features critical for understanding the potential for CO2 storage and the processes of mineral carbonation. These findings are crucial for assessing the suitability of the site for secure and efficient CO2 sequestration.
This achievement marks an important step forward in the project, and we look forward to sharing more developments soon. Stay tuned for further updates on our progress!
We are pleased to announce the successful completion of a series of a geoelectric survey at the Castiglioncello magnesite deposit (Li) as part of the geophysical analyses by National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) team as part of the STORECO2 project.
The geophysical surveys allowed us to obtain a detailed three-dimensional representation of the geological structures, helping to identify optimal conditions for carbonation reactions and magnesite formation.
We’re excited to announce that we are organising a session at the upcoming EMC conference focused on the role of mafic and ultramafic rocks in carbon capture and storage. This session will be a fantastic opportunity to bring together experts and researchers to explore how rocks like serpentinites can help capture and store CO2 effectively.
We’ll dive into topics ranging from the geochemical processes of mineral carbonation to real-world applications and natural analogs. We aim to spark lively discussions and share innovative ideas on how these rocks can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by securely storing CO2.
Join us at EMC to drive forward the conversation on how rocks can contribute to a more sustainable future!
We are thrilled to announce that we have officially started our geochemical survey of the waters as part of the STORECO2 project. This crucial phase will help us gain a deeper understanding of the natural processes involved in mineral carbonation and CO2 sequestration and their potential environmental impact.
By analyzing the geochemical properties of these waters, we aim to uncover key insights into the mechanisms that have made natural carbonation efficient over millions of years and its effect on the environment. These findings will contribute significantly to our efforts in developing scalable technologies for secure and permanent CO2 storage.
Stay tuned for updates as we continue this exciting journey towards carbon neutrality!
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