Carbon dioxide can be permanently sequestered through mineral carbonation, where CO2\text{CO}_2CO2 reacts with metal oxides to form stable solid carbonates, or locked in biological reservoirs.
The table below shows the long-term carbon sequestration capacity per unit volume of different geological formations and artificial storage systems.
| Category | Storage System | Carbon Sequestration Capacity (kg\text{kg}kg of CO2\text{CO}_2CO2 per m3\text{m}^3m3) |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial Biological | Commercial forestry soils | 15 |
| Artificial Biological | High-density microalgae ponds | 45 |
| Geological Mineralisation | Basaltic rock formations | 120 |
| Geological Mineralisation | Deep saline aquifers | 240 |
| Geological Mineralisation | Ultramafic peridotite deposits | 380 |
It has been suggested that investing in geological mineralisation infrastructure is a far more effective strategy for long-term carbon mitigation than developing large-scale artificial biological systems.
Describe how the data in the table supports this suggestion.
Practise Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Earth and atmospheric science with exam-style questions for Foundation and Higher tier. 62 questions, matched to the Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0) specification and written in Paper 1 and Paper 2 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
