THE INFLUENCE OF DISCHARGE DEPTH AND LOCATION ON THE SEQUESTRATION OFCARBON-DIOXIDE

Theoretically, disposing of CO2 directly into the deep ocean could sig nificantly reduce short-term increases in atmospheric CO2 concentratio n. Aside from the technological considerations, important questions ar ise regarding the optimal disposal depths and locations necessary for the long-term sequestration of CO2. These questions form the basis for a series of model simulations of the disposal of CO2 in the deep sea. An Ocean Carbon Cycle Model (OCCM) was used to simulate the discharge of CO2 at five sites representing different oceanagraphic environment s. The sites were the Northwest Atlantic, Northeast Atlantic, Northwes t Pacific, North Pacific Gyre, and the Western Equatorial Pacific. Mod el simulations indicate that the location and depth of injection can s ignificantly improve long-term storage of CO2. Of the sites considered , a deep discharge (> 1000m) in the Western Equatorial Pacific showed tha greatest effacy of CO2 sequestration.