New insights into the nation's carbon storage potential

Abstract

Carbon sequestration is a method of securing carbon dioxide (CO 2) to prevent its release into the atmosphere, where it contributes to global warming as a greenhouse gas. Geologic storage of CO 2 in porous and permeable rocks involves injecting high-pressure CO 2 into a subsurface rock unit that has available pore space. Biologic carbon sequestration refers to both natural and anthropogenic processes by which CO 2 is removed from the atmosphere and stored as carbon in vegetation, soils, and sediments. © 2012. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.