No research has been done in Australia into the fate of CO2 emitted from coal fired power stations. (This conclusion has been reached after enquires to the Greenhouse Office, Energy Supply Association of Australia, Australian Coal Research, National Generators Forum and CSIRO.)

About 25 years ago a CSIRO team using an aircraft fitted with measuring equipment did a study into the fate of sulphur dioxide emitted from the Mount Isa smelters. They flew through and down the plume over some weeks to determine what happened to the SO2 and tracked the plume as far as the Indian Ocean. A second team worked on the ground and studied what happened when the plume hit the ground.

Local factors such as stack height, gas temperatures, ambient temperatures, humidity, rainfall, local vegetation, topography and wind speed and direction could play a role in determining exactly what happens to the CO2 emitted from power stations. It is known that CO2 is absorbed by plants and there could be other unknown chemical and physical interactions that could be used to reduce CO2 going into the upper atmosphere.

Power stations also emit water vapour from cooling towers so it is possible that research into the fate of CO2 emissions might lead to power stations being built in prime agriculture land with the water vapour and CO2 combined and distributed through a network of low stacks to enhance agricultural production.

It is amazing that no research has been done to find out exactly what happens to CO2 emitted from power stations.

Bob Greenelsh
BULIMBA QLD

Comment
A large paddock of corn may exhaust the carbon dioxide for some meters above the crop when growing strongly during a sunny day. It would benefit greatly from some nearby source of carbon sustenance. The moisture would also be welcome. Even a bit of sulphur and nitrogen would be very beneficial to the nearby plants.

Viv Forbes