CO
2-induced reactions in low salinity aquifers overlying CO
2 storage sites are of interest to understand potential reactions or impacts in the possible case of a leak. Previous investigations of overlying aquifers in the context of CO
2 storage have focused on pure CO
2 streams, however captured industrial CO
2 streams may contain ancillary gases, including SO
2, O
2, NOx, H
2S, N
2, etc., some of which may be more reactive than CO
2 when dissolved in formation water. Eight drill cores from two wells in a low salinity sandstone aquifer that overlies a target CO
2 storage complex are characterised for porosity (helium, mercury injection, or micro CT), permeability, and mineral content. The eight Hutton Sandstone cores are variable with porosities of 5.2–19.6%, including carbonaceous mudstones, calcite cemented sandstones, and quartz rich sandstones, common lithologies that may be found generally in overlying aquifers of CO
2 storage sites. A chlorite rich sandstone was experimentally reacted with CO
2 and low concentrations of SO
2 to investigate the potential reactions and possible mineral trapping in the unlikely event of a leak. Micro CT characterisation before and after the reaction indicated no significant change in porosity, although some fines movement was observed that could affect permeability. Dissolved concentrations of Fe, Ca, Mn, Cr, Mg, Rb, Li, Zn, etc., increased during the reaction, including from dissolution of chlorite and trace amounts of ankerite. After ~40 days dissolved concentrations including Fe, Zn, Al, Ba, As and Cr decreased. Chlorite was corroded, and Fe-rich precipitates mainly Fe-Cr oxides were observed to be precipitated on rock surfaces after experimental reaction. Concentrations of Rb and Li increased steadily and deserve further investigation as potential monitoring indicators for a leak. The reaction of chlorite rich sandstone with CO
2 and SO
2 was geochemically modelled over 10 years, with mainly chlorite alteration to siderite mineral trapping 1.55 kg/m
3 of CO
2 and removing dissolved Fe from solution. Kaolinite and chalcedony precipitation was also predicted, with minor pyrite precipitation trapping SO
2, however no changes to porosity were predicted.
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