Mineralogical and Geochemical Analysis of Mining and Petroleum Rocks in the Khorat Plateau: Implications for CO₂ Mineralization and CCS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.11560Keywords:
Carbon capture and storage (CCS), CO₂–rock interaction, Mineral trapping, Khorat Plateau, Geochemistry, Mineralogy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Carbon capture and storage (CCS), CO2-rock interaction, Mineral trapping, Khorat Plateau, Geochemistry, Mineralogy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF)Abstract
Rising CO2 emissions from energy and industrial sectors underscore the urgent need for effective carbon capture and storage (CCS) strategies, with geological sequestration offering long-term mitigation potential. The Khorat Plateau in northeastern Thailand hosts diverse lithologies - Permian carbonates, Khorat Group sandstones, evaporitic rock salt, and Cenozoic basalts - associated with active mining and petroleum activities. While previous studies have examined CO2 - rock interactions in specific formations such as mudstones of the Triassic Huai Hin Lat Formation, limited data exist on the comparative reactivity of multiple lithologies under wet CO2 conditions. This study evaluates the mineralogical and geochemical responses of representative rock types, including sandstone, calcareous sandstone, limestone, basalt, and rock salt, collected from boreholes and mining sites across the Khorat Plateau. Controlled laboratory experiments involved CO2 exposure in the presence of water, with pre- and post-reaction analyses conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Results show that limestone and basalt exhibit the highest reactivity, forming stable secondary phases such as wollastonite (CaSiO3), portlandite (Ca(OH)2), amorphous CaO, and phyllosilicates, indicating significant potential for mineral trapping. Basalt, in particular, underwent pronounced alteration of primary silicate minerals, while sandstone, calcareous sandstone, and rock salt showed minimal mineralogical changes. These lithology-dependent reactivity patterns highlight basalt and limestone as promising candidates for CCS deployment in the Khorat Plateau, despite earlier reservations regarding basalt suitability. The findings provide the 1st integrated comparison of multiple lithologies from both mining and petroleum contexts in the region, bridging a critical knowledge gap for CCS site selection. By combining experimental mineralogical and geochemical data with regional geological context, this study advances the understanding of CO2 - rock interactions in active industrial and petroleum-bearing settings, offering practical insights for optimizing CCS strategies in Thailand and similar sedimentary basins.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Conducted the 1st mineralogical and geochemical reactivity assessment of Khorat Plateau lithologies under wet CO2
- Basalt-rich formations in the Khorat Plateau exhibit high CO2 reactivity, forming stable carbonates ideal for long-term storage.
- Limestone dissolves rapidly, producing acidic byproducts that may compromise groundwater quality and reservoir stability.
- Feldspathic sandstones provide slower, stable CO2 trapping, whereas calcareous sandstones and halite show limited sequestration potential.
- Lithology, reservoir conditions, and fluid chemistry critically control CCS feasibility in northeastern Thailand.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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