Clinton Creek Chrysotile Mine

As part of our August fieldwork, Justin, Ian, Duncan, and Carlos visited the Clinton Creek chrysotile mine situated northwest of Dawson City, YT. Since the mine’s closure more than four decades ago, the tailings have become physically cemented by Mg-carbonate minerals. As part of Justin’s Master's thesis, we collected cemented mine tailings to better understand the formation pathways of these mineral cements, as well as how Mg-carbonates can be used to sequester CO2, stabilize, and remediate mine wastes. Key information obtained from these samples will contribute to a comparative study of cementation within chrysotile and kimberlite mine wastes. A huge thanks to everyone involved!

Magnesium carbonate playas of Atlin, British Columbia

Justin, Duncan, Carlos and Ian visited the hydromagnesite-magnesite playas of Atlin, BC, Ian’s favourite field site! We worked alongside colleagues Sasha and Maija from The University of Alberta and Jenine and Decla from The University of Waterloo. Also, we met with Nat and Ed from The University of Winnipeg. We’re all very keen on learning about biosignatures in carbonates, mineral transformation reactions, and microbial carbonate precipitation. The Atlin playas are a fantastic place to learn about all those things! Our primary focus was collecting samples of aragonite that contain microfossils. This calcium carbonate mineral is commonly found in Mg-carbonate systems. It is a better medium for biosignature preservation due to its fast precipitation rates, relative stability, and ability to lithify. Thanks to everyone for making this an excellent trip!

Goldschmidt 2022

The PowerGeolab had a fantastic Goldschmidt 2022 in Honolulu, Hawaii! Carlos, Amanda, Kwon, and Zivi presented their research, including our De Beers related field experiments, challenges using isotopes for carbon verification, carbon dioxide removal using MgO, and enhanced rock weathering. We presented in several sessions during a great week of science. Wonderful seeing colleagues in person from all over the world, especially those from the University of Alberta and the University of British Columbia. Looking forward to Goldschmidt 2023 in Lyon, France!

Treetop Trekking

The PowerGeolab had a fantastic day monkeying around at TreeTop Trekking: Ganaraska! Obstacles, zip lining, and a few near misses!

Justin at EGU!

Justin attended the EGU General Assembly in Vienna, Austria, presenting his research on mineral carbonation and cementation within ultramafic mine wastes. Researchers from institutions around the world attended to discuss a wide range of topics across the earth, planetary, and atmospheric sciences. A huge thanks to the organizers and session conveners for putting on an excellent conference!

New Publication: MgO Carbonation Rates

In a study led by Kwon Rausis, we quantified the rates of CO2 removal using MgO powder and clarified the reaction pathways, products, and rate limitations. MgO rapidly removes atmospheric CO2 from the atmosphere, but its carbonation is limited by CO2 supply. The magnesium carbonate dypingite is the carbonation product that has a low calcination temperature, making looping more energy efficient. You can read about our work in the International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control.

Congratulations Justin, Zivi, and Lance!

Congratulations to Justin for being award an Ontario Graduate Scholarship! A well deserved award to a very hard working student.

Congratulations to Zivi for being awarded a Trent School of the Environment Undergraduate Research Internship. This award provides funding to outstanding and talented TSE undergraduates to pursue their research ambitions in the summer, leading to an honours thesis.

Congratulations to Lance for being awarded an NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award. This award is highly competitive and provides funding for super undergraduate students.

The PowerGeolab is lucky to have these two fantastic students. I’m looking forward to seeing all the awesome things you’ll accomplish!

New publication from Amanda Stubbs!

Direct measurement of CO2 drawdown in mine wastes and rock powders: Implications for enhanced rock weathering published in the International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control.

An excellent publication authored by Amanda Stubbs, Carlos Paulo, and our colleagues at the University of Alberta, Sasha Wilson, Baolin Wang, and Nina Zeyen. For her Master’s thesis, Amanda carried out many experiments measuring CO2 drawdown into rock powders and kimberlite mine wastes using LI-COR CO2 flux system. She tested a range of rock types while tracking changes in moisture and analyzing many samples for total inorganic carbon. Her paper will interest folks working on negative emissions technologies, particularly enhanced rock weathering and CO2 mineralization within mine wastes. Great job, Amanda!

Teanna and Justin at AGU!

Teanna and Justin attended the American Geophysical Fall meeting (virtually) as part of a reading course to learn more from the broader geoscience research community! Teanna also presented on her research about biosignature preservation within calcium and magnesium carbonate minerals. She has characterized samples from four terrestrial analogues including Lake Salda, Lake Alchichica, Atlin Mg-carbonate playas, and Clinton Creek asbestos mine. Her research demonstrates the importance of mineralogical controls on biosignature preservation with implications for NASA’s Perseverance mission at Jezero Crater on Mars!

Lab Holiday Social

The lab had a great time bowling and shooting pool for a holiday social gathering. Congratulations to Duncan for doubling everyone else’s bowling score!!! And congratulations to Kwon, Justin, and I for going late into the night. Great to have everyone out, Happy Holidays to all!