CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL IN NEW YORK STATE: A DECADE OF RESEARCH

The vast majority of scientists agree that global climate change is occurring, and that greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) are a major contributor. The geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide has emerged as one of the leading methods for reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. Over the past ten years geologists at the New York State Museum and State Geological Survey have been involved in several projects that investigate the potential for sequestration of CO₂ in New York State. Sites of these projects include the Potsdam Sandstone in western NY, the Queenston Formation in central NY, the Newark Rift Basin in the tri-state area, and the Baltimore Canyon Trough south of Long Island. The geology of these areas is never simple and each study presents its own unique challenges which must be addressed through detailed scientific research. Although these projects are not all success stories, the data and analyses associated with each has added a wealth of knowledge to both the climate change community and overall geologic understanding of New York State.