Issue profile: environmental issues and the geological storage of CO2

Abstract

Increasing CO 2 emissions will lead to climate change and ocean acidification with severe consequences for ecosystems and for human society. Strategies are being sought to reduce emissions including the geological storage of CO 2 . Existing studies operate within existing oil and gas regulatory frameworks, but if other non-oil reservoir geological formations are used these existing regulations may not apply. At national and European levels the potential environmental impacts of uncontrolled CO 2 releases from storage sites have been highlighted to be of significance for regulators.Thus a new regulatory framework may be needed. The precautionary principle is likely to be adopted by regulators, so it is important that the effects of acute and chronic exposures of ecosystems to CO 2 leakages are evaluated. Consequently, existing regulations are likely to be developed to include specific recommendations concerning leakages. This review shows that much basic data simply do not exist to assist regulators in this process.

Comparison of the impacts of elevated CO 2 soil gas concentrations on selected European terrestrial environments

“…However, the possibility of leakage from the reservoir and any subsequent effects on the environment, need to be considered so that all potential risks can be understood and minimised (Damen et al, 2006;Tian et al, 2013;West et al, 2005). Although studies have been undertaken which examine the impact of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations on surface ecosystems (e.g.…”

Long-term variations of CO2 trapped in different mechanisms in deep saline formations: A case study of the Songliao Basin, China

“…With the development of economies and an increase in human activities, global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (CH 4 ), nitrous oxide (NO 2 ) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have increased rapidly and lead to global climate change and ocean acidification with severe consequences for ecosystems and for human society (Holloway, 2001;West et al, 2005). CO 2 is responsible for about 64% of the greenhouse effect among the various greenhouse gases, and the average concentrations of CO 2 in the atmosphere have risen from a pre-industrial level (1750) of 280 parts per million by volume (ppmv) to over 370 ppmv currently and, if unabated, is projected to reach 1100 ppmv by 2100 (Bachu and Adams, 2003;Hepple and Benson, 2005;Kharaka et al, 2006).…”

The impact of a naturally occurring CO2 gas vent on the shallow ecosystem and soil chemistry of a Mediterranean pasture (Latera, Italy)

“…While it is obvious that this includes the integrity of the reservoir itself to contain the CO2, it is equally important to also assess the potential risks associated with the unlikely leakage of significant volumes of CO2 from the reservoir into the near surface environment (West et al, 2005(West et al, , 2006. Although numerous studies have been published regarding the effect of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations on ecosystems (e.g.…”