BIOSPHERIC OPTIONS FOR MITIGATING ATMOSPHERIC CARBON-DIOXIDE LEVELS

It will be extremely difficult to control worldwide sources of carbon over the next century in order to limit atmospheric carbon dioxide to twice pre-anthropogenic levels. This paper first discusses the options for CO2 mitigation, estimates their respective carbon reduction potentials, and then focuses on the research agenda to evaluate alternative terrestrial and marine systems for CO2 mitigation. The options being evaluated include: a) terrestrial reforestation strategies and halophyte production in semi-arid regions, b) algal refossilization of carbon dioxide and algal-induced carbon dioxide fixation, c) structured marine farms for energy and food production, and d) carbon dioxide clathrate formation and sequestration. EPRI is currently conducting fundamental research in each of these areas. Many of these technological approaches will require intemational cooperation and acceptance, if they are to be deployed over the large areas necessary to fix and sequester CO2. Although the program is in its infancy, there are significant potentials for modulating terrestrial and marine systems to stimulate carbon removal from the atmosphere.