Carbon Sequestration

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Carbon Sequestration

• CE 394K.2
• Juan Moran-Lopez

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Quote of the Day

• Im not a prophet or a stone-age man, just a
  mortal with potential of a superman. Im living
  on. Im tethered to the logic of homo sapien,
  cant take my eyes off the great salvation of
  (false) faith. If I dont explain what you ought
  to know, you can tell me all about it in the next
  bardo.
• David Bowie

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Outline

• Mechanics of CO2 and climate change
• Solar Panels
• Reforestation
• Conclusion

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Radiation Balance
http//www.uwsp.edu/gEo/faculty/ritter/images/atmo
sphere/energy/radiation_balance_usgs_large.jpg
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Electromagnetic Radiation
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Why CO2?

• Water Vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas
  in the atmosphereNCDC

Source Ramanathan and Coakley, Rev. Geophys and
Space Phys., 16 465 (1978)
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Quantum Mechanics
Molecular degrees of freedom
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Effects of CO2 buildup

• Positive feedback cycle of global warming
• Acidification of oceans
• Increase in vegetative growth

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Study Area Austin, TX
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Austin Power Production
http//www.austinenergy.com/About20Us/Company20P
rofile/powerPlants.htm
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Austin Emissions
http//www.texasep.org/html/air/air_4iss_txco2.htm
l
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Austin and Surrounding Area
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Solar Panels

• Austin irradiance is 5.26 kW-h/m2/day
• This is a Good rating for solar power
• Estimated Available Area 68.2 km2
• Online Example

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Possible Energy Production
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Net Primary Productivity
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Net Primary Productivity

• MODIS Land Data
• 61 km X 61 km
• Centered at Main Building
• Lat 30.286
• Long -97.74

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Possible Carbon Sequestration
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Conclusions

• Austin can produce almost 1500 MW-h/day with only
  10 of building area covered with solar panels
• Trees in 20 of open areas can sequester almost
  40,000 tons of Carbon per year