CO2, one of the so-called greenhouse gases blamed for climate change, can be stored in the ocean, coal seams too deep to mine, and underground oil and gas reservoirs. Over the longer term, it may be possible to turn CO2, into natural gas and carbonate rocks - rocks that are chemical or biochemical in origin.
Limestone is one example of a carbonate rock.
Scientists believe it will be a long time before renewable energy sources or other technologies are able to reduce further by significant amounts the emissions of such fuels. Carbon sequestration may be a way to buy time while other environmentally friendly sources of energy are developed. This could be accomplished by mimicking natural geological and biological processes, according to David Beecy, director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Systems. Moreover, these processes would be both environmentally acceptable and sustainable. He also will discuss opportunities for lowering the cost of carbon sequestration and analyze the storage potential of various carbon reservoirs.