Potential impacts of deep-sea injection of CO2 on marine organic chemistry

Abstract

The extent of reaction of epoxides in saltwater changed markedly through introduction of gaseous or liquid CO₂. Higher levels of β-chlorohydrins in carbonated saltwater compared with those in saltwater alone were attributed to greater acidity of the aqueous phase. This suggests that regimes for sequestration of CO₂ by deep sea injection should take account of potential effects on marine organic chemistry. No evidence was obtained for enhanced nucleophilicity of the chloride ion through potential desolvation at the CO₂–water interface.