Effects of grain size and seawater salinity on magnesium hydroxide dissolution and secondary calcium carbonate precipitation kinetics: implications for ocean alkalinity enhancement

Understanding the impact that mineral grain size and seawater salinity have on magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH) ₂) dissolution and secondary calcium carbonate (CaCO ₃) precipitation is critical for the success of ocean alkalinity enhancement. We tested the Mg(OH) ₂ dissolution kinetics in seawater using three Mg(OH) ₂ grain sizes (<63, 63–180 and >180 µm) and at three salinities (~36, ~28 and ~20). While Mg(OH) ₂ dissolution occurred quicker the smaller the grain size, salinity did not significantly impact measured rates. Our results also demonstrate that grain size can impact secondary CaCO ₃ precipitation, suggesting that an optimum grain size exists for ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) using solid Mg(OH) ₂. Of the three grain sizes tested, the medium grain size (63–180 µm) was optimal in terms of delaying secondary CaCO ₃ precipitation. We hypothesize that in the lowest grain size experiments, the higher surface area provided numerous CaCO ₃ precipitation nuclei, while the slower dissolution of bigger grain size maintained a higher alkalinity/pH at the surface of particles, increasing CaCO ₃ precipitation rates and making it observable much quicker than for the intermediate grain size. Salinity also played a role in CaCO ₃ precipitation where the decrease in magnesium (Mg) allowed for secondary precipitation to occur more quickly, similar in effect size to another known inhibitor, i.e., dissolved organic carbon (DOC). In summary, our results suggest that OAE efficiency as influenced by CaCO ₃ precipitation not only depends on seawater composition but also on the physical properties of the alkaline feedstock used.