Geological Storage and Mineral Trapping of Industrial CO2 Emissions - Prospects in the Baltic Region

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have strong economic links and coordinated environmental policy. They are situated within common Baltic Sedimentary basin. The smallest of the three countries Estonia with 1.3 mln population produces the highest CO2 emissions mainly due to oil shale used for energy production. Geological conditions in three countries are different, resulting in zero potential for CO2 geological storage (CGS) in Estonia located at the shallowest part of the Baltic sedimentary basin, low CGS potential in Lithuania located at the deepest part of the basin and high CGS potential of Latvia containing large uplifts as the potential traps for CO2 storage. Alternative approaches are suggested for Estonia and Lithuania, focusing on the mineral trapping of CO2. The immobilization of CO2 by the alkaline watered ash and ash transportation water from flue gas formed by shale combustion is a prospective option in Estonia. The serpentinites abundant in the crystalline basement is a prospective rock media for CO2 immobilization in Lithuania. The other CGS option for Estonia and Lithuania is a transportation of CO2 to the Latvian structural traps. Solubility and mineral trapping in the Baltic saline aquifers have large potential which could be considered for future decades.