Consider the following activities :
- Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively
- Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime
- Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters
How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — All three
All three activities mentioned are recognized methods for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) that are actively discussed in climate mitigation strategies.
✅ Activity 1 – Correct: Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands (enhanced weathering) captures atmospheric CO₂ through chemical weathering reactions that form stable carbonates, effectively sequestering carbon in the soil.
✅ Activity 2 – Correct: Increasing ocean alkalinity by adding lime enhances the ocean's natural capacity to absorb and store atmospheric CO₂ by shifting the carbonate equilibrium, making oceans a more effective carbon sink.
✅ Activity 3 – Correct: Capturing industrial CO₂ emissions and storing them as carbonated water in abandoned subterranean mines is a direct carbon capture and storage (CCS) technique that prevents greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere.
📝 Short Notes: Carbon Capture and Sequestration Methods
- Enhanced Weathering: Accelerates natural rock weathering by spreading silicate minerals (like basalt) on land; reacts with CO₂ to form stable carbonates that lock carbon for thousands of years.
- Ocean Alkalinization: Adding alkaline substances (lime, olivine) to oceans increases pH and carbonate concentration, enhancing CO₂ absorption capacity and counteracting ocean acidification.
- Geological Sequestration: Industrial CO₂ is captured at source, compressed, and injected into deep geological formations (depleted oil/gas fields, saline aquifers, mines) where it mineralizes or remains trapped.
- Other CCS Methods: Afforestation, soil carbon sequestration, biochar application, direct air capture (DAC), and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).
- Global Significance: CCS technologies are essential for achieving net-zero emissions targets and limiting global warming to 1.5-2°C as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
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