Ocean Sediments as a Carbon Dioxide Trap?
Under the category "More Research Needed" this article popped up in the NY Times today.
"Team Looks at Seafloor as Gas Trap " See below:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/08/science/earth/08carbon.html?_r=1&ref=science&oref=slogin
The premise of this article is that the ocean sediments represent a highly stable environment where we can pump carbon dioxide with little worry of escape. The article states (and I am hoping that the scientists interviewed did not use these words) that the seafloor sediments would "guarantee it (Carbon dioxide) would stay denser than the water above, and thus be permanently locked away. " Has anyone taken into account that pumping massive quantities of carbon dioxide into sediments just MIGHT alter the chemistry of the sediments? Is there a possibility that by-products could be produced that are less dense than water (elemental oxygen and hydrogen are also green house gases)? Even if carbon does stay trapped in the sediments, what does this mean for sediment chemistry and anything that lives within it? There is evidence that pumping Carbon dioxide into the earth results in the creation of carbonic acid. I know, we are talking about 10,000 feet and not much macrobiotic lives down there. However, I'm not too excited about creating a microbial deadzone either. The more we learn about the deep oceans, the more we realize that these are not completely devoid of life. I would even say that some of the MOST exciting discoveries of recent years have been made in the abyss regions.
I'm not even going to get into the geological implications. We know that weather (for instance) impacts mountain creation (uplifting of the Himalayas). What would pumping massive amounts of gas into the Earth's crust do to fault zones? I did not read the original PNAS article that this was published in. Perhaps these and many better stated arguements have been posited. I do worry however when policy makers (and citizens) are given the impression that there are quick fixes to very complex problems. -Kyle
Under the category "More Research Needed" this article popped up in the NY Times today.
"Team Looks at Seafloor as Gas Trap " See below:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/08/science/earth/08carbon.html?_r=1&ref=science&oref=slogin
The premise of this article is that the ocean sediments represent a highly stable environment where we can pump carbon dioxide with little worry of escape. The article states (and I am hoping that the scientists interviewed did not use these words) that the seafloor sediments would "guarantee it (Carbon dioxide) would stay denser than the water above, and thus be permanently locked away. " Has anyone taken into account that pumping massive quantities of carbon dioxide into sediments just MIGHT alter the chemistry of the sediments? Is there a possibility that by-products could be produced that are less dense than water (elemental oxygen and hydrogen are also green house gases)? Even if carbon does stay trapped in the sediments, what does this mean for sediment chemistry and anything that lives within it? There is evidence that pumping Carbon dioxide into the earth results in the creation of carbonic acid. I know, we are talking about 10,000 feet and not much macrobiotic lives down there. However, I'm not too excited about creating a microbial deadzone either. The more we learn about the deep oceans, the more we realize that these are not completely devoid of life. I would even say that some of the MOST exciting discoveries of recent years have been made in the abyss regions.
I'm not even going to get into the geological implications. We know that weather (for instance) impacts mountain creation (uplifting of the Himalayas). What would pumping massive amounts of gas into the Earth's crust do to fault zones? I did not read the original PNAS article that this was published in. Perhaps these and many better stated arguements have been posited. I do worry however when policy makers (and citizens) are given the impression that there are quick fixes to very complex problems. -Kyle
posted by LMI1 at 6:35 PM
3 Comments:
Hi,
Thanks again for your comments. I'm trying to remain interesting, but that can certainly be difficult. I'm also glad to hear others have "I.Q." issues! Please tell me more! Life can be so much fun.
I really enjoyed your bits about your trip to Greece. I forgot to mention that earlier. Any more tales?
Maybe you might be interested in linking up?
Thanks again!
Excellently written!
hi. i just came across your blog and found it to be very interesting. I can't believe that they think it's okay to pump Carbon dioxide into the ocean floor. Your completely correct- think of what it would do to alter life patterns there! People don't realize how interdependent everything on Earth is.
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