An alternative mineral-based hypothesis for atmospheric CO2-sinks

This paper presents a radically new hypothesis for the well-documented but hitherto not explained carbon sink observed over the Eastern United States. This hypothesis provides evidence for CO2 fixation in minerals, not the oc ean or vegetation. From the mineralogical analysis of carbonates and carbon ate carbon in some 60 samples of Upper Allegheny formation limestones, coal overburden shales and sandstones, water well precipitates, AMD sludges and down slope seep precipitates, we conclude that precipitation of iron and m anganese carbonates may be a significant ongoing process. If the phenomenon is as wide spread as we believe, it likely could be a significant atmosphe ric CO2 sponge. In the case of the Appalachian coal fields stretching from western PA through parts of OH, WV, KY, etc, there are literally tens of th ousands of cubic kilometers of candidate material available for this sponge effect.