Safety and Environment
Carbon sequestration refers to the permanent storage of carbon dioxide (CO2). Traditionally carbon sequestration has referred to the carbon stored in the terrestrial biosphere, however, in response to global warming concerns and emissions capping, carbon sequestration has come to include the potential storage of carbon dioxide in geologic formations, and the ocean.
Geologic sequestration involves injecting CO2 into underground reservoirs which can securely contain the CO2, these geologic formations include: oil and gas reservoirs, deep saline formations, unmineable coal seams, organic shales and basalts.
Carbon sequestration is an emerging technology; additional research is required to evaluate the success and limitations of current methods. Potential challenges to carbon sequestration include: high costs associated with pilots and project startup, carbon dioxide quality, contamination potential, transportation of the carbon dioxide, potential leaks and human and environmental hazards.
The goal of carbon sequestration is to prevent the release of CO2, into the atmosphere and to meet established emissions targets. For carbon sequestration to become economically viable the benefits of the utilized sequestration option must outweigh the potential environmental effects and not pose any adverse risk to human health.
References:
US Department of Energy - Carbon Management Science
Princeton University - Choosing a Sequestration Method