The fluid mechanics of dissolution trapping in geologic storage of CO2

Sequestration of carbon dioxide by injecting it into the deep subsurface is critical to successful mitigation of climate change by reducing anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. To achieve this we must understand how CO2 moves in the subsurface. Many interesting fluid mechanics problems emerge. Szulczewski, Hesse & Juanes (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 736, 2013, pp. 287–315) focus on one critical aspect, namely the dissolution of CO2 into the fluid resident in the subsurface and the flow dynamics that ensue. Even for this single problem, an elegant analysis identifies seven behavioural regimes that control the amount and timing of dissolution.