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Chemistry

Silicate Mineral Chemistry and the Geochemical Carbon Cycle

Quick fact

The weathering of silicate rocks removes about 100 million tonnes of carbon each year, playing a key role in counteracting the heat-trapping effect of volcanic CO2 emissions on geological timescales.

Why this is interesting

You know that CO2 warms the planet, but did you know that ordinary rocks can pull it out of the air and lock it away for millions of years? This process, driven by the chemistry of silicate minerals, has kept Earth's climate remarkably stable for billions of years.