Carbonation and serpentinization of diopsidite in the Altun Mountains, NW China

Mineral carbonation of mafic-ultramafic rocks has been highlighted as a promising way for permanent carbon capture and storage. Carbonatization involves the release of Ca, Mg and Fe from silicate minerals by dissolution and reaction in the aqueous phase to form stable carbonate minerals. Diopside is one of the most abundant mafic minerals in the lithosphere and contributes a portion of Mg and Ca to surface weathering. Here, we present detailed processes of the carbonation-coupled serpentinization of diopsidite from the Yushishan Nb-Ta deposit in the Altun Mountain, northwest China. Diopsidite is the prograde metamorphic product of siliceous dolomitic marble by full decarbonation process. Retrograde serpentinization and carbonation of diopsidite lead to the addition of CO₂, H₂O, light rare earth elements and fluid-mobile elements but the loss of SiO₂. The diopsides are replaced by calcite and chrysotile by mineral alteration to form pseudomorphic textures. Dissolution-precipitation processes significantly affect diopside serpentinization and carbonation. The carbonation of diopside-rich rocks may be suitable for permanent CO₂ storage.