Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

On geoengineering and the CO2 problem

  • Published:
Climatic Change Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The problem of CO2 control in the atmosphere is tackled by proposing a kind of ‘fuel cycle’ for fossil fuels where CO2 is partially or totally collected at certain transformation points and properly disposed of.

CO2 is disposed of by injection into suitable sinking thermohaline currents that carry and spread it into the deep ocean that has a very large equilibrium capacity.

The Mediterranean undercurrent entering the Atlantic at Gibraltar has been identified as one such current; it would have sufficient capacity to deal with all CO2 produced in Europe even in the year 2100.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. S. H. Schneider, ‘On the Carbon Dioxide-Climate Confusion’, J. Atmos. Sci. 32, II, 2060, November 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  2. S. H. Schneider and R. Dennett, ‘Climatic Barriers to Long Term Energy Growth’, Ambio 4, 65 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  3. C. C. Black and R. H. Burris (eds.), Carbon Dioxide Metabolism and Productivity in Plants, University Park Press, Baltimore, Maryland (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  4. M. I. Budyko, Climate and Life, Academic Press (1974).

  5. W. D. Nordhaus, ‘Can We Control Carbon Dioxide?’ IIASA-Working Paper WP-75-63, June 1975.

  6. G. N. Plass, ‘Relationship Between Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Amount and Properties of the Sea’, Environmental Science and Technology 6, 736 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  7. F. MacIntyre, ‘Why the Sea is Salty’, Scientific American 223, 104 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  8. D. M. Considine, Chemical and Process Technology Encyclopedia, McGraw Hill (1974), e.g. p. 112.

  9. D. K. Beavon et al., ‘CO2 Removal by “Heatless” Process’, Chemical and Process Engineering, p. 32 (January 1972).

  10. Benfield Corporation, ‘The Way to Low Cost Scrubbing of CO2 and H2S from Industrial Gases’ - A Progress Report.

  11. J. F. McMahon, ‘Fluidized Bed Hydrogenation Process for SNG’, Chem. Eng. Progress 68, 51 (December 1972).

    Google Scholar 

  12. R. N. Tennyson and P.A. Buckingham, ‘What It Will Cost to Make SNG from Light Hydrocarbons’, The Oil and Gas Journal 99, April 16 (1973).

  13. Hydrogen Energy, ed. Veziroglu, 2 Vols., Plenum Press 1975.

  14. Einsatzmöglichkeiten neuer Energiesysteme: Wasserstoff, Weiss Verlag, Monschau-Imgenbroich, F.R.G., 1975.

  15. Defant, A., ‘Die Ausbreitung des Mittelmeerwassers im Nordatlantischen Ozean’, Deep-Sea Research 3, 465 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Joseph, J. and H. Sender,‘Über die horizontale Diffusion im Meere’, Deutsche Hydrographische Zeitschrift 11, 2 (1958), Deutsches Hydrographischen Institut, Hamburg.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Broecker, W. S., Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, N.Y., private communication.

  18. Keeling, C. D., ‘Industrial Production of Carbon Dioxide from Fossil Fuels and Limestone’, Tellus 15, 2, pp. 174–198 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria

    Cesare Marchetti

Authors
  1. Cesare Marchetti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Marchetti, C. On geoengineering and the CO2 problem. Climatic Change 1, 59–68 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00162777

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00162777

Keywords

Search

Navigation