Ocean Storage of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
What Is Ocean Storage?
Ocean storage is a proposed method to store captured carbon dioxide (CO₂) by injecting it into the deep ocean, typically at depths greater than 1,000 meters. At such depths, CO₂ would be isolated from the atmosphere for hundreds of years, reducing its immediate impact on climate change.
How Is CO₂ Stored in the Ocean?
- Captured CO₂ is first transported by pipeline or ship to a selected deep-sea location.
- It can be injected:
- Into the water column (between ocean layers), or
- Directly onto the seafloor, where it forms a dense layer due to the high pressure and low temperature.
- Once injected, CO₂ dissolves in seawater and slowly enters the global carbon cycle.
