Sequestration of inorganic carbon in groundwater of arid saline-alkali area

It has been reported that the saline/alkaline groundwater aquifer is a potentially large active inorganic carbon pool. This paper reviews the formation mechanism and the carbon storage path of inorganic carbon in groundwater of arid saline-alkali area. The geochemical carbon sequestration processes (CO2-water-rock interaction and mineral capture) known as the "capture-rereaction" model, are considered to be the most effective means of long-term CO2 storage, since the saline aquifers are covered with thick saline-alkali soils, once CO2 is involved in rock weathering or mineralization, it will become a part of the geological structure that can hardly be released again. This review provides an important reference for the carbon sequestration mechanism of arid underground saline-alkali aquifers, and is helpful for the estimation of regional carbon balance and the mitigation of Greenhouse Effect.