CCS Potential in the Deccan Trap Basalt, India- A Review

The Deccan trap basalt, spread over an area of 5,00,000 sq. km. in western and central India is one of the potential sites for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). The mineralogical composition of the basalt influences the mineral carbonation reaction. Plagioclase feldspar rich Deccan basalt have high surface area due to small grain size, thus showing favourable conditions for permanent carbon mineralization. The Deccan basalt have many identical properties to Columbia River basalt and Iceland basalt, but some distinctive properties of Deccan basalt need to be studied to identify the suitability of the area for CO2 storage. Geological age, slow cooling rate, tapering shape of formation from west to east, episodes of lava flow eruption and the availability of water for CO2 dissolution are the major factors to be evaluated for storage suitability. The Deccan basalt have relatively lower porosity and permeability compared to globally distributed basalt formation due to the above-mentioned critical factors. Water availability in the area and economic outlook suggests the use of combination of (a) pure CO2 injection and (b) dissolved CO2 injection methods at different locations.