Life cycle assessment of carbon dioxide sequestration

Mineral carbonation technologies capture, use, and store carbon dioxide by leveraging natural mineralization reactions. However, comparing life cycle assessments (LCAs) of mineral carbonation studies is challenging owing to methodologic differences. To address this issue, we employed a two-step approach. First, we conducted a qualitative analysis regarding methodologic and technological differences based on a systematic literature review of 38 articles. Second, we performed a metaanalysis with harmonized assumptions to assess the environmental impacts of various ex situ carbonation routes. The qualitative review revealed that handling multifunctional processes significantly influenced LCA results, and most studies lacked an evaluation of the technology readiness level. The metaanalysis found that direct aqueous carbonation, carbonation mixing, and carbonation curing had negative global warming impacts, whereas the climate mitigation potential of indirect aqueous carbonation depended on the assumed substitution credit.