Infrared and infrared emission spectroscopic study of selected magnesium carbonate minerals containing ferric iron--implications for the geosequestration of greenhouse gases.

The proposal to remove greenhouse gases by pumping liquid carbon dioxide several kilometres below ground level implies that many carbonate containing minerals will be formed. Among these minerals, the formation of two hydrotalcite-like minerals coalingite and brugnatellite is possible, thus necessitating a study of such minerals and their thermal stability. The two such carbonate-bearing minerals brugnatellite and coalingite have been characterised by a combination of infrared and infrared emission spectroscopy. Infrared emission spectroscopy is most useful to determine the stability of these minerals. The infrared spectra of the OH stretching region are characterised by OH and water stretching vibrations. Intense (CO3)(2-) symmetric and antisymmetric stretching vibrations support the concept that the carbonate ion is distorted in these minerals. The position of the water bending vibration indicates that the water is strongly hydrogen bonded in the mineral structure. IES spectra show the temperature range of the thermal stability of these minerals.