Storing CO2 in the Ocean: Emerging Technologies, Challenges, and Enabling Factors

[Geoengineering News]

https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/Carafa_Storing%20CO2%20in%20the%20Ocean.pdf

Authors 

Andrea Carafa

May 2024

Abstract 

The ocean naturally plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing approximately 25 percent of anthropogenic CO2 emissions (Le Quéré et al., 2018). In order to achieve the Paris Agreement climate targets, it is increasingly recognized that negative emission technologies (NETs) such as marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) will be necessary to complement emissions reduction efforts (IPCC, 2018). mCDR at large scales could significantly help mitigate climate change by capturing anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) and storing it in the ocean for extended periods. This review explores emerging mCDR technologies allowing for long-term (1,000 years+) CO2 storage while considering the safety concerns, efficacy, and environmental impact of these technologies, as well as the enabling factors that are crucial for the growth of a robust mCDR industry.

Source: Case Study for the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDG