Health fears over CO2 storage are unfounded, study shows

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/uoe-hfo091211.php

Public release date: 12-Sep-2011

Contact: Catriona Kelly
[e-mail]
44-131-650-4401
http://www.ed.ac.uk/">University of Edinburgh

Health fears over CO2 storage are unfounded, study shows

Capturing CO2 from power stations and storing it deep underground carries no significant threat to human health, despite recently voiced fears that it might, a study has shown

…

Researchers found that the risk of death from poisoning as a result of exposure to CO2 leaks from underground rocks is about one in 100 million – far less than the chances of winning the lottery jackpot.

Scientists from the University of Edinburgh studied historical data on deaths from CO2 poisoning in Italy and Sicily, where the gas seeps naturally from the ground because of volcanic activity.

They found that the number of recorded deaths was very low and say that engineered gas storage underground could be even safer, as it will be planned and monitored.

…

Carbon capture and storage enables collection of CO2 before it can escape into the atmosphere. The technology involves the collection of CO2 at a power station or industrial site. The gas is liquefied and piped to the storage site, where it is injected deep below ground. The gas is stored in microscopic rock pores and eventually dissolves in underground water. Storage sites will have several barriers between the store and the surface.

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http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/09/09/1018590108.abstract

[drm604]

1. It dissolves in underground water?

What happens when that water comes to the surface, either naturally or from human activity? Won't the CO2 escape then? Or is that water trapped forever?

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. How quickly will the water come to the surface? (In what volumes?)

Has anyone been “Fracking” in the area?
http://gcep.stanford.edu/pdfs/jXWqtY2wJZWt8W3SDcB55A/2.5.3_Zhang_Public_2011.pdf

What will cause the water to come to the surface?

Will the CO₂ always remain dissolved in the water? Or will it precipitate out as mineral deposits?
http://www.osti.gov/bridge/servlets/purl/842265-PbNJhL/native/842265.pdf