Environment & Ecology : Climate Change Mitigation Strategies

Q 8 / 12

UPSC CSE Prelims 2017

In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be the potential sites for carbon sequestration ?

  1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams
  2. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs
  3. Subterranean deep saline formations
Select the correct answer using the code given below :

EXPLANATION

Correct Option :

D) 1, 2 and 3

All three listed options represent viable geological sites for carbon sequestration, a process critical for mitigating anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions.

Explanation:

1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams:

  • These formations possess existing geological structures suitable for CO₂ storage.
  • Their non-operational status allows for repurposing, potentially aiding in enhanced methane recovery from these mines.

2. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs:

  • These reservoirs retain porous rock structures capable of trapping injected CO₂.
  • Utilizing existing infrastructure minimizes the requirement for new drilling operations.

3. Subterranean deep saline formations:

  • These are deep rock layers saturated with saline water, situated well below potable freshwater sources.
  • Their geological characteristics facilitate the storage of substantial volumes of CO₂ with a low risk of leakage or freshwater contamination.