One idea to mitigate the effects of burning fossil fuels on atmospheric CO₂ concentrations is to pipe liquid CO₂ into the ocean at depths of 2,500 feet or greater. At the high pressures at such depths, CO₂ is heavier than water. What potential effects might result from implementing such a scheme?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Piping liquid CO₂ into the ocean at depths of 2,500 feet or greater could lead to increased acidity of the deep waters and changes in the growth of bottom-dwelling organisms with calcium carbonate shells. This is because when CO₂ dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, which can lower the pH of the water and make it more acidic. This increased acidity can make it difficult for organisms with calcium carbonate shells (such as corals) to grow and thrive, as it can lead to the dissolution of their shells. Additionally, while increasing the amount of CO₂ in the deep waters could increase photosynthetic carbon fixation and carbonate concentrations in the deep waters, the potential negative effects on ocean acidification could outweigh these benefits.

One Idea to Mitigate the Effects of Burning Fossil Fuels