CO₂ geological storage: A bibliometric analysis of research trends

Geological sequestration of carbon dioxide is a critical strategy to combat global warming, playing a significant role in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and preservation of the global ecosystem. Over more than three decades, this domain has expanded to encompass myriad research avenues and nuanced sub-fields. Proficiency in navigating the dynamic developments and prominent challenges in this arena is imperative for promoting scholarly advancement. In this investigation, bibliometric techniques are applied to perform a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative investigation of the progression of studies on CO₂ geological sequestration. The analysis incorporates a thorough review and synthesis of the accumulated literature, comprising 34,392 articles sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection. The assessment primarily scrutinizes the chronological dispersal of research outputs, geographical and institutional representation, principal journals of publication, and patterns of authorship to highlight burgeoning areas of concentrated research endeavors and prospective future research frontiers. The data reveals a pronounced surge in academic literature focusing on CO₂ geological storage post-2009, which underscores the increasing value of this research sector. Investigations of CO₂ geological sequestration are characterized by widespread international engagement, with notable contributions from the United States, China, and the United Kingdom substantially steering the research discourse. The core investigative themes comprise comprehensive inquiries into the physical and chemical dynamics of CO₂ containment, environmental repercussions, safety assessments, evaluation methods, and technological assessments of carbon storage, along with stringent scrutiny of geological contexts for their viability and efficacy as sequestration sites.