Map of the thickness of the Mt. Simon sandstone in the Illinois
Basin (Image: Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium) Map
of Illinois showing Decatur near to the center (Image:
Shutterstock) A scheme to inject 1 million tonnes of carbon
dioxide under Decatur, Illinois seeks to raise public awareness
of the potential environmental benefits of carbon sequestration.
(Photo: Shutterstock) A bold undertaking to store one million
metric tonnes (1.1 million short tons) of carbon dioxide in a
sandstone reservoir 1.3 miles (2.1 km) below Decatur, Illinois,
is well under way. The project began last November, and has so
far injected more than 75,000 tons of carbon dioxide, almost one
tenth of the target. The University of Illinois, which is
leading the Illinois Basin - Decatur Project (IBDP), hopes that
the scheme will demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of
carbon sequestration, as well as raise public awareness of the
process's potential environmental benefits. Other Images from
this Gallery