|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
UNB Researchers Look At Carbon Storage To Reduce Greenhouse Gases
Researchers at the University of New Brunswick are to look into possible options for reducing New Brunswick’s industrial emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2).
The atmospheric build-up of these greenhouse gases is generally agreed by scientists to be one of the significant causes of climate change.
David Keighley, with the department of geology at UNB’s Fredericton campus, says increasing temperatures in many parts of the world have contributed to glaciers melting, sea levels rising, changes in plant and animal habitats, and other global impacts.
“One possible way to reduce the negative impacts of higher atmospheric concentrations of CO2 is to capture and store the gas before it gets released into the air,” said Dr. Keighley.
With a financial investment of $71,000 from the New Brunswick Climate Change Secretariat and Irving Oil, Dr. Keighley and a research associate will undertake a preliminary study that will evaluate the potential in New Brunswick for permanently storing large volumes of CO2 in what geologists call deep saline reservoirs. These reservoirs are in rocks isolated over a kilometer deep in the subsurface and contain non-potable, salty water. They are considered to be among the most suitable areas in Eastern Canada for storing CO2.
“The commitment to explore opportunities for underground storage of carbon was made in the New Brunswick Climate Change Action plan,” said Environment Minister T.J. Burke. “By supporting this project, we are addressing that commitment and exploring new ways to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions.”
The research team will start their investigations in late July. They will focus their work from Sussex to south of Moncton, in the rocks associated with the oil and gas fields at these locations, and deep underneath the Bay of Fundy.
If they are successful in identifying sites with carbon storage potential, additional research will be required in order to further evaluate the geological conditions. If the storage potential is confirmed, then specific storage proposals can be considered in the future. Currently there is no subsurface carbon storage anywhere in Eastern Canada.
“As we explore energy projects that perform both economically and environmentally, we have continued to focus on reducing our carbon footprint through energy efficiency and innovation,” said Kevin Scott, commercial director of refining growth for Irving Oil. “The challenge with reducing carbon dioxide is that mitigation methods and technology are still in the early stages of development; however, we recognize the importance of finding feasible solutions to this challenge and responding to the aspirations of the broader community. Along with the province, we are pleased to be partnering with the researchers at UNB on this project.”
Dr. Keighley says a lot of environmental, economic, and scientific-technological considerations are going to have to come together before carbon storage can become an option.
“If all this works out, then the people of New Brunswick will have another way of meeting the demand to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
Established in 1785, UNB is one of the oldest public universities in North America. It’s also one of the top five comprehensive universities in Canada, according to Maclean’s magazine. UNB has more than 12,000 students from over 100 countries. As the largest research institution in New Brunswick, UNB conducts 80 per cent of the province’s university research. It has more than 3,500 faculty and staff, and an annual operating budget of more than $163 million. UNB’s two main campuses are located in Fredericton and Saint John, N.B.
For more information:
Natasha St. Pierre
Communications and Marketing | University of New Brunswick | (506) 458-7969 | natash1@unb.ca
Jennifer Graham
Department of Environment | Government of New Brunswick | (506) 453-3700 | Jennifer.Graham@gnb.ca
Lesley MacLeod
Public Affairs and Refining Growth | Irving Oil | (506) 202-3924 | Lesley.MacLeod@irvingoil.com
|
|
|
|
|
