Invitation
by Christof Kusebauch (GFZ, 3.1)
When: 6th July, 11:00 a.m.
Where: building H (VR1)
Prof. Dr. Martin Stute
(Columbia University)
"Putting away CO2 for good: carbon sequestration in basalts"
Abstract:
Reducing atmospheric CO2 emissions to fight climate change is one of the prime challenges of our times. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) can contribute towards decarbonization of the global economy. The success of this solution depends on the ability to safely and permanently store CO2. Our study in Icelandic basalts demonstrates for the first time the permanent disposal of CO2 as environmentally benign carbonate minerals in basaltic rocks. We find that over 95% of the CO2 injected into the CarbFix site in Iceland was mineralized to carbonate minerals in less than 2 years. This method could be used at many continental sites and in the off-shore basaltic ocean floor.
For a brief summary of the work and a link to our related Science paper see: http://theconversation.com/putting-co2-away-for-good-by-turning-it-into-stone-60688
The Speaker
Martin Stute is a Professor of Environmental Science at Barnard College, Co-chair of the Environmental Science Department, faculty member of Columbia University’s Department of Earth & Environmental Science, Adj. Senior Research Scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, and a core member of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy. He received his PhD in physics from the University of Heidelberg in 1989. He is an isotope hydrologist using environmental tracers to study the dynamics of aqueous systems. His research focuses on the reconstruction of past climate conditions from groundwater, global water resources issues, in particular related to arsenic, dating of groundwater on all time scales, and the interface of water and energy including gas production by hydraulic fracturing and CO2 sequestration. He is very interested in experiential learning and currently teaches classes in Hydrology, a client based workshop in Sustainable Development, and the joint Columbia/Barnard Environmental Science Senior Research Seminar.
