We have discussed earlier that violent volcanic eruptions help to combat some of the effects of global warming by cooling the Earth and keeping a check on rises in sea level. But, this did not seem to satisfy the scientists at this point. They are planning to make further use of the natural phenomenon. Scientists now are planning to conduct tests in central Oregon in 2007 to see if the underground rock area, especially the lava rocks, could be used as a storage depot for carbon dioxide created by humans.
The $17.9-million research project, scheduled to begin in 2007, calls for the injection of compressed liquid carbon dioxide into the lava basalt layer that can be found in much of Idaho, Montana, Washington state and Oregon. Theoretically, carbon dioxide injected into the lava basalt would undergo a chemical reaction and fuse with the rock. The injection technique means the carbon dioxide ‘won’t move because it has become a part of the rock,’ said Susan Capalbo, the director of the Big Sky Carbon Sequestration Partnership, one of seven regional coalitions formed by the U.S. energy industry. Once the project is successful, there will be less movement of greenhouse gases. And this will be the greatest move to restore our deteriorating environment.
Via: Dhonline.com, wluctv6