Characterization of climbing chalks; the first step to creating a sustainable alternative

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Climbing chalk is used in rock climbing to increase the friction coefficient between the climber's hand and the rock surface. This chalk is not chalk per se (which is calcium carbonate, CaCO3) but consists primarily of magnesite (MgCO3), along with any additives that individual companies might add. Currently, almost 70% of the magnesite used to manufacture climbing chalk comes from mines in northeastern China. The dust from this mining has been implicated in large-scale plant death, soil degradation, and reduced microbial activity. Policy changes implemented to mitigate the environmental contamination, along with the impact of COVID-19, have resulted in "inconsistent supplies and restricted availability of all grades of magnesia in the world market".In this project we will determine the mineral and chemical compositions, crystallite sizes and shapes, absorbencies, porosities, permeabilities, and friction coefficients of commercially available chalk products. In addition, we will survey the geological literature to identify potential domestic sources of magnesite and investigate the possibility of synthesizing magnesite using CO2 from the atmosphere.This project will lead to a better understanding of the composition and properties (including friction coefficients) of commercially available climbing chalk in order to improve chalk products. Developing a process for synthesizing magnesite from atmospheric CO2 would eliminate the environmental impact of mining in chalk production and would also provide an additional method of CO2 sequestration.In terms of benefit to Canada, this project would provide a competitive advantage to a Canadian company and hopefully a domestic source of magnesite (whether mined or synthesized), which would stabilize supply and could even provide a new export.