Articles | Volume 17, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-17-407-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-17-407-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
| 
05 Mar 2026
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 05 Mar 2026
| 05 Mar 2026
Feldspar alteration by disequilibrium CO2-H2O fluids in reservoir sandstones: implications for CCS
Natalie J. C. Farrell
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
Lining Yang
Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), Bologna, Italy
Michael J. Flowerdew
CASP, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Chris Mark
Department of Geology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
School of Earth Sciences, University College Dublin, Ireland
Buhari Ardo
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
Kevin G. Taylor
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
Nico Bigaroni
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
Michael Pointon
CASP, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Lewis Hughes
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
John Waters
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
Lee Paul
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Editorial statement
This manuscript explores an important aspect of CCS, the potential interaction with and consequences of CO2-saturated solution with the host rock. In a series of well-executed experiments it is shown that the effects are, at elevated temperatures, especially severe in feldspars, with potentially significant geomechanical and geochemical implications.
This manuscript explores an important aspect of CCS, the potential interaction with and...
Short summary
Contrary to current CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) models, reaction experiments conducted at subsurface stress and temperature conditions reveal that feldspars, common, reactive grains in sandstone reservoirs, can undergo significant chemical and mechanical changes when exposed to CO₂ enriched water. These chemo-mechanical processes, including grain fracturing, dissolution, and clay precipitation, can modify fluid pathways and rock strength, potentially reducing reservoir productivity and increasing leakage risk.
Contrary to current CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) models, reaction experiments conducted at...
