Energy generation has traditionally been based on fossil fuels, and mankind is struggling to abandon them forever. In the midst of this transition, they have found some rocks that are capable of producing energy on their own. The problem is that they are only produced by volcanoes and not exactly in calm conditions.
Volcanoes hide a form of renewable energy we need
Volcanoes are produced from the internal mechanisms of the Earth, as molten rock, or magma, emerges from deep in the crust. This melting is from the mantle, circulating through complicated geological routes to the surface where it erupts as lavas with temperatures from 650 to 1200°C.
Such geothermal energy systems are formed by means of such volcanic processes as occur in magma chambers and conduits. Utilizing such a source would offer renewable energy as a substitute for the polluting coal-fired plants.
Although the environmental dangers linked to the extraction process of volcanic energy are numerous, people see it as a tool that helps us fill our rapidly growing energy demand and as a method that assists us in reducing our carbon footprint that increases from year to year.
Silicate rock, essential to replace coal in power generation
A recent study from Texas A&M University explores silicate rock weathering potential for climate change mitigation. Silicate rocks such as basalt and granite, abundant in the Earth’s crust, promise much.
These rocks formed through volcanic processes contain minerals encouraging carbon sequestration via chemical weathering. Silicate rocks, having minerals, get dissolved bit-by-bit when exposed to water and carbon dioxide, while the capture process of carbon takes place.
By pulverizing these rocks into fine powder, one increases the surface area which illuminates and enables the carbon capture process. At the same time the potential of substantial carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere is seen over time.
This idea can be further developed by spreading silicate rock dust to agricultural soils all over the world which could sequester 64 gigatons of carbon in 75 years according to the researchers. This approach is a very convenient way of decreasing carbon levels.
More investigations into it can lead to a large uptake of silicate rocks weathering in climate change mitigation. Through the use of Earth geological processes an abundance of resources, we can tackle the issues of carbon emissions and adapt to a sustainable future.
How could we harness silicate rock for sustainability?
In order to increase the efficiency of enhanced weathering silicate rocks needs to be finely ground into powder. This raises the surface area for reactions with carbon dioxide and water, increasing carbon sequestration.
We can not only combust carbon dioxide on agricultural soils when applying finely powdered silicate rock but also enrich the soils of the essential fertilizers to the plants. Widespread application of this method worldwide would lead to the removal of a lot of carbon dioxide.
More so, fine grinding of silicate rocks such as basalt and granite improves their performance in weathering for amelioration. When we grind the rocks into a super fine powder, the surface area exposed to the elements is highest.
Due to larger surface area, ground basalt reacts quickly with rainwater absorbing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A finer grind quickens the release of important minerals and nutrients by silicate rock powder for plant development.
Sprinkling only 10 tons of finely ground basalt per hectare on almost 1,000 farms worldwide could sequester an estimated 64 gigatons of carbon dioxide over 75 years.
As you can see, these rocks could be key to our cars, buildings and even solar panels, although it will not be easy to extract them. Mastering nature will continue to be humanity’s unfinished business, and much worse with volcanoes. Energy generation, therefore, brings us to a new challenge that we will overcome.