Dissolution and dispersion of CO 2 from a liquid CO 2 pool in the deep ocean

Liquid CO 2 sequestration in a bathymetric depression at depths greater than 3700 m in the ocean has been proposed as a mitigation strategy for the reduction of atmospheric CO 2 emissions. Kinetic studies on the dissolution of CO 2 from the liquid CO 2 pool, the diffusion in the ocean, and advection of CO 2 by the bottom ocean current are carried out. A thin membrane of CO 2 hydrate on the liquid CO 2 pool controls the CO 2 dissolution into the overlaying seawater, the thickness of a static layer between the surface of liquid CO 2 and the upper bottom ocean current reduces the CO 2 diffusion, and the bottom ocean current dilutes the CO 2 concentration. These effects are explicity formulated in an equation, and it is predicted that ocean CO 2 sequestration at a depth larger than 3700 m will greatly reduce the pH change caused by CO 2 dispersion in the ocean. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.