Illustration of underground carbon sequestration

Can Carbon Sequestration Save Us? Unveiling the Science and Potential

Mira Elwood in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Dive into the groundbreaking research modeling carbon sequestration in Springfield, Missouri, and discover how it could reshape our fight against climate change."

Climate change is arguably one of the most pressing challenges that humanity faces today. With rising global temperatures, increasingly erratic weather patterns, and threats to ecosystems worldwide, the need for effective mitigation strategies has never been more urgent. Among the various approaches being explored, carbon sequestration stands out as a potentially transformative solution.

Carbon sequestration involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from sources like power plants and industrial facilities and storing them in a way that prevents it from entering the atmosphere. One promising method involves injecting CO2 deep underground into geological formations, essentially turning the earth into a vast storage vault. But how effective is this approach, and what are the potential long-term effects?

To answer these questions, scientists are using sophisticated geochemical models to simulate the complex interactions that occur when CO2 is injected into underground reservoirs. One such study, conducted in Springfield, Missouri, offers valuable insights into the feasibility and potential of carbon sequestration in sandstone formations. Let's delve into the details of this research and explore what it reveals about our ability to combat climate change.

The Springfield Study: A Geochemical Modeling Approach

Illustration of underground carbon sequestration

The study, led by Lea Nondorf, Melida Gutierrez, and Thomas G. Plymate, focused on modeling the geochemical transformations that would likely occur after injecting CO2 into a sandstone formation resembling the Lamotte Sandstone in southwest Missouri. Using The Geochemist's Workbench®, the researchers simulated the dissolution of CO2 and its long-term storage mechanisms.

Here's how the study was designed:

Hypothetical Reservoir: The model used a hypothetical reservoir designed to mimic the Lamotte Sandstone, a rock formation found at a depth of about 600 meters (1970 feet).
Absence of Specific Data: Lacking precise water chemistry and lithology data for the proposed injection site, the model incorporated two best estimates for each input parameter.
Prograde and Retrograde Phases: The simulation included a 10-year injection (prograde) phase followed by a 50-year post-injection (retrograde) phase to observe long-term effects.

The findings revealed that during the 10-year injection period, the amount of CO2 sequestered in the dissolved phase ranged from 76.74 to 76.80 grams per kilogram of free water, while the pH level dropped significantly from 7.7 to 4.8. In the subsequent 50-year post-injection phase, the model predicted a gradual rise in pH from 4.8 to 5.3, accompanied by the precipitation of various minerals like magnesite, nontronite-Mg, gibbsite, siderite, and dolomite. These minerals play a crucial role in the long-term removal of carbon.

The Future of Carbon Sequestration: Challenges and Opportunities

While the Springfield study provides valuable insights into the potential of carbon sequestration, it also highlights some key challenges. The relatively shallow depth of the target formation means that CO2 cannot be injected as a supercritical fluid, potentially limiting the amount of CO2 that can be stored. Additionally, the lack of real data from the formation required the researchers to rely on estimates, underscoring the need for more detailed site-specific information.

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Everything You Need To Know

What exactly does carbon sequestration involve, as explored in the Springfield, Missouri study?

Carbon sequestration involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from sources like power plants and industrial facilities. This captured CO2 is then stored in a way that prevents it from entering the atmosphere. The study mentions injecting CO2 deep underground into geological formations, essentially turning the earth into a vast storage vault. The Springfield study looked at modeling carbon sequestration in Springfield, Missouri to show how it could reshape our fight against climate change.

How did the researchers in the Springfield study utilize geochemical modeling, and what specific software did they employ for their simulations?

The Springfield study used The Geochemist's Workbench® to model the geochemical transformations that would likely occur after injecting CO2 into a sandstone formation resembling the Lamotte Sandstone. The simulation included a 10-year injection (prograde) phase followed by a 50-year post-injection (retrograde) phase to observe long-term effects. The model incorporated two best estimates for each input parameter, because there was an absence of specific data.

What were the key findings regarding CO2 levels and pH changes during both the injection and post-injection phases of the carbon sequestration process in the Springfield study?

During the 10-year injection period in the Springfield study, the amount of CO2 sequestered in the dissolved phase ranged from 76.74 to 76.80 grams per kilogram of free water, and the pH level dropped significantly from 7.7 to 4.8. In the subsequent 50-year post-injection phase, the model predicted a gradual rise in pH from 4.8 to 5.3, accompanied by the precipitation of various minerals like magnesite, nontronite-Mg, gibbsite, siderite, and dolomite.

What role did mineral precipitation play in the long-term carbon removal process, according to the findings of the Springfield carbon sequestration study?

The Springfield study revealed that using a hypothetical reservoir designed to mimic the Lamotte Sandstone, during the 10-year injection period, the amount of CO2 sequestered in the dissolved phase ranged from 76.74 to 76.80 grams per kilogram of free water. It also showed that after injection, various minerals like magnesite, nontronite-Mg, gibbsite, siderite, and dolomite precipitated which play a crucial role in the long-term removal of carbon.

What are the main limitations and challenges associated with carbon sequestration, as highlighted by the Springfield study, and what further research is needed to address these issues?

While the Springfield study provides valuable insights, it also highlighted that the relatively shallow depth of the target formation means that CO2 cannot be injected as a supercritical fluid, potentially limiting the amount of CO2 that can be stored. Also, the lack of real data from the formation required the researchers to rely on estimates, underscoring the need for more detailed site-specific information. One missing piece is the economic cost of the sequestration process.