Analysis of carbondioxide (CO2) sequestration capacity in Berambai Cave, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Climate change is a result of global warming triggered by human activities, especially those related to the use of fossil fuels and land use change. These activities increasingly produce gases in the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), which causes the Earth’s temperature to rise. As CO₂ continues to increase in the atmosphere, CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) can be one of the solutions to store carbon dioxide in the long term on the earth’s surface. Karst ecosystems consisting of limestone and dolomite are one of the potential carbon stores. The purpose of this study is to estimate the carbon dioxide sequestration capacity of Berambai Cave as an effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Samarinda. Administratively, this research location is in Berambai Village, North Samarinda District, East Kalimantan Province. The existence of the Pulau Balang Formation which has limestone successions in the study area has undergone a karstification process. Karstification is a natural process that can store carbon dioxide through chemical reactions. To determine the carbon dioxide sequestration capacity of Berambai Cave, the alkalinity titration method was carried out using underground rivers and secondary data analysis from BMKG Samarinda. Berambai Village has an annual rainfall of 2,705 mm/year and an average temperature of 27.48°C. Evapotranspiration is 1,383.14 mm/year and runoff are 13.21 dm. The CaCO₃ concentration in Berambai spring is 140 mg/L. The carbon dioxide sequestration capacity of Berambai Cave is 73.97 m³/year/km² contributing to reducing atmospheric carbon emissions, especially in the Samarinda area.