Synthesis, structure and properties of carbonates at earth-mantle conditions

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Wulf Depmeier, since 12/2007; Professor Dr. Sandro Jahn
• Co-Applicant: Professor Dr. Lars Ehm
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: from 2006 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 24941943

The crystal structures, thermoelastic properties and the stability of carbonate minerals, and the reaction of divalent metal oxides or hydroxides with CO2 at conditions of the Earth¿s mantle shall be investigated. Conditions exceeding 20 GPa and 2000 K are provided by laser heating in the diamond anvil cell, the use of multi anvil apparatus MAX200x and Paris-Edinburg type opposed-anvil devices at synchrotron radiation facilities and in the laboratory. Experimental studies are combined with quantum mechanical calculations. That research will contribute to the question what the capacity of the deep earth as a CO2 reservoir is. We will investigate what new solid forms of CO2 and/or carbonates may occur in geological processes or during the envisaged storage of the green house gas CO2 in geological formations. Furthermore, model systems as Sr- or Ba-Carbonate will be studied to investigate the validity of general crystal-chemical guidelines as the pressure¿homologue rule.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1236: Synthesis, "In Situ" Characterisation and Quantum Mechanical Modelling of Earth Materials, Oxides, Carbides and Nitrides at Extremely High Pressures and Temperatures
• International Connection: USA
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Privatdozent Dr. Karsten Knorr, until 12/2007