Small pubs: Near New York – a huge basaltic repository for sequestered CO2?? PNAS paper says yes.
Boy, Tracker had vexing equipment problems this morning – logy laptop, slow and choking on image downloads. So not much posting. But as the moment to stop approaches, here’s a good story in PNAS that seems to merit more attention. In Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Columbia U. and Rutgers geologists report on the immense potential (that’s potential as in maybe with multiple big ifs) for storing CO2 underground right near huge American population and industrial centers. A review of data finds that deep strata of basalt, remnants of ancient lava flows, are sufficiently porous to absorb lots of CO2 and mineralize it into stone.
A few outlets pick it up, chief among them National Geographic News where Brian Handwerk reports that these immense “vaults” beneath the shallow seafloor are ripe for further research. One possible hazard, he reports: Earthquakes, plausible should the storage process lead to settlement or heaving by the repositories. I’ve heard that the flood basalts of the Pacific Northwest look perfect for such storage – but such things near New York? Even better.
Other (small) outlet reports:
- Mongabay.com – Jeremy Hance: Underwater rocks could be used for massive carbon storage on America’s East Coast ;
- Ars Technica – John Timmer: Pangea-era rift makes East Coast perfect for carbon storage ; Isn’t that evocatively (if obscurely) nice, a Pangea-era rift did it!
There is also a good write up on this at E&E’s Climate Wire, by Nathanial Gronewald, but it look inaccessible to all without a subscription. If I can get an open link, I’ll add it.
Grist for the Mill: Columbia Lamont-Doherty Press Release ;
- Charlie Petit
