新奇事件簿 二氧化碳注入岩石层变身石头

Scientists have come up with a smart but simple way to deal with carbon dioxide emissions¹, by turning them back into stone. Researchers in Iceland pumped 220 tons of CO2 deep underground into volcanic² rock. It reacted with minerals in the rock and over a relatively³ short space of time, transformed into a chalk-like solid substance similar to limestone⁴. The team expressed their surprise at both the success and the speed of the CO2 conversion⁵. Lead scientist Juerg Matter said: "Of our 220 tons of injected CO2, 95 per cent was converted to limestone in less than two years." He added: "It was a huge surprise to all the scientists involved in the project, and we thought, 'Wow! This is really fast'."

二氧化碳变“石头”封存，科学家研发简易方法。在冰岛，研究人员将220吨二氧化碳注入地下玄武岩层。二氧化碳与矿物质反应，经过一段时间（相对较短），二氧化碳发生固化，变成类似白垩形状岩石。无论是实验效果还是二氧化碳反应速度，研究小组均感到非常意外。研究主任洁歌·马特尔认为：“在不到两年间，220吨二氧化碳有95%转换成石灰岩。”他还指出：“所有项目研究员都感到非常意外。转换速度实在太惊人了。”

The scientists hope their experiment will be adapted on a larger, more industrial scale. It could help to alleviate⁶ the problem of growing CO2 emissions entering the atmosphere and warming the planet. It could also become a key technique in carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions. Many other CCS techniques have involved injecting and trapping CO2 underground. However, there was always the problem of the emissions leaking their way back above ground and into the atmosphere. Dr Matter was enthusiastic about his team's experiments. He said: "We need to deal with rising carbon emissions and this is the ultimate permanent storage turn them back to stone."

科学家希望该研究可应用于大规模生产。且有望缓解大气二氧化碳排放，以及全球变暖。它也有望成为解决碳捕捉难题的核心技术。许多碳捕捉技术包含向地下捕捉以及注入二氧化碳。但二氧化碳也有可能泄露回地面，之后返回大气。马特尔博士对该项研究信心满满。他认为：“我们需要解决日益严重的碳排放问题，而“变石封存”将让它永久封存。”

1 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

2 volcanic   

adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的

参考例句：

• There have been several volcanic eruptions this year.今年火山爆发了好几次。
• Volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools.火山活动产生了温泉和沸腾的泥浆池。

3 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

4 limestone   

n.石灰石

参考例句：

• Limestone is often used in building construction.石灰岩常用于建筑。
• Cement is made from limestone.水泥是由石灰石制成的。

5 conversion   

n.转化，转换，转变

参考例句：

• He underwent quite a conversion.他彻底变了。
• Waste conversion is a part of the production process.废物处理是生产过程的一个组成部分。

6 alleviate   

v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等)

参考例句：

• The doctor gave her an injection to alleviate the pain.医生给她注射以减轻疼痛。
• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。