Scientists seeking a cost-effective means of sequestering carbon dioxide using natural geological reactions were given a major boost last week when new research was released showing that the US alone has 6,000 square miles of rocks at or near the Earth's surface capable of naturally soaking up millions of tonnes of CO2.
The study from scientists at Columbia University's Earth Institute and the US Geological Survey found that there are large swathes of ultramafic rock in California, Oregon, Washington, and along the Appalachians, with smaller clusters also found in the interior, all of which are capable of sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through a natural process known as mineral carbonation.
The report's lead author, Sam Krevor, a graduate student working through the Earth Institute's Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy, said that in theory these ultramafic rocks could store more than 500 years' worth of US CO2 emissions.
The process of mineral carbonation on ultramafic rocks such peridotite, dunite and lherzholite takes thousands of years for large quantities of carbon dioxide to be soaked up. However, the research team is now investigating techniques for accelerating the process, including dissolving carbon dioxide in water and injecting it under high pressure into the rock.
Juerg Matter, scientist at Columbia's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, has recently undertaken research with his colleague Peter Kelemen in Oman that suggested such techniques could significantly accelerate the process by which carbon dioxide reacts with ultramafic rocks. A separate pilot study in Iceland involving basalt rocks is also scheduled to take place later this month, with researchers confident that it too could serve as a store for carbon emissions.
Additional research is also ongoing to map the global availability of suitable basalt and ultramafic rocks.
Krevor said that with many of the US rock formations found near major cities, technical innovations could make it possible for the gas to be captured from power plants and other industrial facilities sequestered in the rocks. "We are trying to show that anyone within a reasonable distance of these rock formations could use this process to sequester as much carbon dioxide as possible," said Krevor.
Energy Technologies Institute to invest £1m in research project designed to assess viability of mineralisation approach to carbon capture and storage 25 May 2010
Researchers believe CCS would enable nation to burn coal for decades while cutting CO2 15 Oct 2009
Airline says entire fleet operating from London City airport could be using bio jet fuel from 2014 15 Feb 2010"Clean coal" system promises to separate CO2 from clean-burning gas and sequester it back underground 24 Dec 2009
Biofuels industry slams "outdated" research 27 Jan 2010
Think tank warns global oil supply could peak this year resulting in decades of political and economic upheaval 07 Sep 2010
Early bird rate for How Big Is Your Footprint? lecture available for one more week 07 Sep 2010
Greg Barker urges financiers to play key role in planned increase in climate funding for developing world 07 Sep 2010
More news
Australia's new government has the best chance in a generation of passing carbon legislation, but action on climate change is anything but a done deal 07 Sep 2010
Trewin Restorick questions the wisdom of the "mind-blowingly complicated" CRC scheme 07 Sep 2010
Smaller than a Prius but just as economical, the Derbyshire-built Auris hybrid is the perfect green car for those who like to travel light 06 Sep 2010 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
