What is it about?
Geologic carbon sequestration is a strategy that is currently being considered to help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. This strategy involves injecting carbon dioxide deep underground in the hopes that it will safely stay there for long periods of time. However, the gas may eventually leak out of the storage location and travel back up toward the ground surface.
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Why is it important?
If leakage happens, it could have negative effects on water resources, ecosystems, and human health. In order to better understand those potential risks, operators of carbon sequestration projects need to understand where the gas will go when it leaks.
Perspectives
This study helped to improve that understanding and build predictive capability about carbon dioxide movement underground. Laboratory experiments were performed in a system that was designed to mimic an underground environment. Carbon dioxide was injected and sensors were used to measure where it went. Results showed that layers of different material slow down the movement of the gas.
Dr Michael Roger Plampin
Colorado School of Mines
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Intermediate-Scale Experimental Study to Improve Fundamental Understanding of Attenuation Capacity for Leaking CO2
in Heterogeneous Shallow Aquifers, Water Resources Research, December 2017, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/2016wr020142.
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