Deng & Li (2025): Potential of Co-practicing Enhanced Rock Weathering and Geologic Carbon Storage
Hang Deng and Qi Li, IN: Environmental Science & Technology, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c02173
Although leakage risks associated with geologic carbon storage are low, the development of effective remediation measures is crucial to minimize the potential environmental impacts. Various remediation measures have been proposed, including halting CO₂ injection, brine management, repairing leaky wellbores, and plugging abandoned wells. The authors submit that practicing enhanced rock weathering (ERW), which involves surficial application of ground alkaline rocks and/or materials, in the vicinity of the injection sites may serve as another measure that can mitigate surface seepage of CO₂ should it occur, while otherwise capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere and/or soils. ERW is projected to sequester up to 2.5 Gt of CO₂/year by 2100 under the 1.5 °C scenario.