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17/02/2011
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Chris Karman en Edwin Foekema, IMARES, part of Wageningen UR
The Cabinet has decided on a demonstration project for CO2 storage under the North Sea seabed, as an alternative to underground storage in residential areas. The aim is to dispel the anxiety surrounding possible risks.
If the Netherlands wishes to store CO2 as a means of combating climate change, we, the researchers at IMARES, believe the seabed to be a good alternative. Of course there is a proviso: we believe it is essential first of all to document any risks to marine life. It is also important to regard this as a transitional stage; sub-seabed storage should not be used as an argument for ending the search for truly sustainable solutions for climate change.
Up until now, CO2 storage has mainly been investigated in terms of the technicalities of CO2 capture and injection. Technically, this is possible, even under the sea. The problem is public acceptance. After all, concerned residents in Barendrecht and in the North of the Netherlands have successfully opposed storage. The decision taken by Minister Verhagen of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation has now dispelled any fears the public had about unsafe situations. However, environmental organisations such as Greenpeace and Stichting De Noordzee/The North Sea Foundation are ready for action because they do not believe sub-seabed storage is a good idea. They do not regard this as a realistic solution, fearing the consequences for marine life if, contrary to expectations, CO2 does leak out.
In order to create a climate of acceptance, it is essential to have more evidence based on reliable knowledge, together with good communication. The risks of CO2 leaking out from underground reservoirs – old gas fields or water-bearing strata – into the seabed are minimal, we believe. Nevertheless, it should be clear what this means for the local ecosystem if this does happen; the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico (which could not possibly happen) was just one year ago. Partly because practical, large-scale CO2 storage under the seabed has only recently become a serious option, there is still an incomplete understanding of this subject. The technical possibilities have been thoroughly investigated but not the effect of a possible leakage on marine life. We have only a modest role in the CATO research programme for CO2 storage, one of the authoritative projects on this subject but, as far as we are concerned, this will change.
The university institute IMARES focuses on strategic and applied research into marine ecology. Our contribution to the topic described here, focuses on two aspects: elucidating the ecological effects of possible CO2 leakage and looking at ways to avoid and to limit any adverse effects.
It is known that CO2 displaces oxygen, which means that animals could suffocate. This is not a major problem in the sea, where the acidity of the water is more important. CO2 causes this to rise, thus affecting all living creatures and especially animals with a calcareous shell (shell fish, crustaceans, corals). Several years ago we took the initiative to carry out a literature search and we noticed that most of the know-how had been acquired from simple laboratory tests. Our reaction to this was to start an investigation into the interaction in the whole seawater ecosystem. We are studying seawater with all its living creatures – plankton, crustaceans, snails, etc – in research basins. This research is being carried out as part of the European RISCS (7th Framework) Programme, in which 'the consequences of unforeseen leakage during CO2 storage' is being studied. We are trying to obtain as complete a picture as possible, which is why we are working together with eminent research institutes throughout Europe. Industry is also involved in this research.
We do not expect CO2 storage underground to result in serious ecological problems. However, it is essential to underpin these expectations with scientific facts and to communicate these openly and clearly. Only then will it be possible to dispel the concern felt in our society.
Contact:
Chris Karman