Environmental impacts of a gradual or catastrophic release of CO2 into the marine environment following carbon dioxide capture and storage (MARP 30)

Completed

Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(CO2 Capture and Storage, CO2 storage)

Applied Research and Development

BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences)
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences)

Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions)
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Policy and regulation)

Project Contact
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML)

Standard

DEFRA

01 September 2003

30 May 2004

8 months

£24,611

No relevance to Underpinning Sectors

South West

Project Contact, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML)

Key Customer Purpose : It is predicted that the continued release of fossil-fuel CO2 into the atmosphere could lead to a surface ocean pH reduction of 0.7 units by the end of the century. The importance of this rapid pH change was recognised recently by the SCOR-UNESCO sponsored symposium “The ocean in a high-CO2 world” where future research assessing the impact of decreasing pH on coastal ecosystems was identified as a high priority

To carry out a critical literature review to: (a) provide a succinct overview of the main research findings and prevailing opinions relevant to understanding the environmental impacts of gradual and catastrophic release of CO2 (and impurities therein such as H2S and NOx) from geological storage into the marine environment. (b) where applicable apply deep sea sequestration experience to the question of environmental impact of CO2 escape into the marine environment from geological storage.(c) highlight methodological weaknesses and gaps in existing knowledge e.g. in fundamental modelling and laboratory work on the physiological responses of marine animals to elevated CO2 levels in seawater and field experiments concerned with the impact on community structure (pelagic and benthic species). (d) outline policy implications for the near, medium and long term, and (e) outline a possible future research agenda including identifying effective techniques for monitoring the impact of CO2 onthe marine environment.

22/12/11