Enhancing Carbon Sequestration and Reclamation of Degraded Lands with Fossil Fuel Combustion Byproducts
Sponsor DOE Office of Fossil Energy

DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory
Sponsor Contact Scott M. Klara
Organization Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Contact Anthony V. Palumbo

The concern for the potential global change consequences of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide has necessitated the development of mechanisms to reduce or stabilize atmospheric carbon dioxide.

During the next several decades, a program focused on terrestrial sequestration processes could make a significant contribution to abating the increase and easing the transition to other renewable energy sources.
This project examines the potential use of lands, which have been disturbed by mining, highway construction, or poor management practices, for terrestrial carbon sequestration.

The approach includes examination of the effects of amendments with solid byproducts from fossil-fuel combustion, paper production, and biological waste-treatment facilities for enhancing carbon sequestration.
Triple benefits from this approach
  • carbon storage

  • byproduct utilization

  • land reclamation.

Area sampled for examination of carbon sequestration on reclaimed mine lands and the effects of fly ash and biosolid addition during reclamation

Coal refuse, soil forming on top, fly ash amendment, and grass

Excavation of plots