Serpadubikum+ Modul 1
In this project, selected deposits of serpentinite and ultramafic rock of the Moldanubian unit are investigated. Various methods will be used to characterise their material properties and estimate the lateral extent and thickness of selected serpentinite bodies and their respective unconsolidated sedimentary cover.
The Austrian raw materials industry is facing major challenges due to the ongoing decarbonisation of production chains. This concerns both the energy required for production and the CO2 emitted by certain raw materials in unavoidable processes and processing steps. In order to decarbonise the energy supply, the use of hydrogen instead of hydrocarbons is likely to increase. However, suitable storage (CCS) or sequestration media (CCSMs) are required to capture and store the process-related CO2.
Ultramafic rocks, such as peridotite and serpentinite (the hydrated alteration product), are ideal materials for CO2 sequestration. In this type of storage, known as mineralisation, CO2 is bound in a thermodynamically stable solid phase. This has the advantage over underground storage in the supercritical state that CO2 cannot escape from the subsurface.
There are many known bodies of ultramafic rock and serpentinite in Austria. Understanding tectonic processes and geochemical composition is essential for identifying potential deposits. Preliminar results from geophysical measurement campaigns show that magnetic methods can delineate serpentinite bodies with high reliability. However, the level of knowledge regarding mineralogical composition, the specific serpentinite phases present (which are very important for technical applications), and the thickness and extent of the bodies varies. Currently, there is no comprehensive, publicly accessible collection of data on these geomaterials; the Serpadubikum+ project aims to establish such a source of information.
Serpentinite is a highly relevant geomaterial, particularly in the context of the raw materials industry and industrial utilisation. Several serpentinite deposits are located in Austria and are currently being thoroughly analysed by the Serpadubikum+ project to establish a basis for future projects and create a database.