Natural seeps are widely distributed in tectonically active regions of the world (Morner and Etiope, 2002). In central Italy, for example, CO2 is emitted from vents, surface degassing, and diffuse emission from CO2-rich groundwater. CO2 fluxes from vents range from less than 100 tCO2 day–1 to more than 430 tCO2 day–1; levels which have been shown to be lethal to animals and plants. At Poggio dell’Ulivo, for example, a flux of 200 tCO2 day–1 is emitted from diffuse soil degassing. At least ten people have died from CO2 releases in the region of Lazio over the last 20 years (IPCC 2005). Proper site selection, combined with well designed monitoring strategies, contributes to managing the risks related to a potentially leaky CO2 storage sites. CO2QUALSTORE guideline is the first of its kind to provide a transparent approach to managing the risks in CGS that will allow confidence building for all the stakeholders involved.
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