Subsurface carbon dioxide analysis methods

A method of evaluating the carbon sequestration capacity of a site comprising (a) obtaining a plurality of geologic samples from the site sufficient for analyzing the rock volatiles carbon dioxide properties of at least a portion of the site;

• (b) measuring one or more non-CO2 and non-CO (carbon monoxide) rock volatile in the samples that (i) are gases under normal atmospheric conditions, (ii) have a molecular weight of about 100 Daltons or less, or (iii) meet both criteria (i) and (ii) to determine the amount of one or more analytes associated with the samples;
• (c) measuring one or more characteristics based on mechanical strength, permeability, or both that are associated with the samples;
• (d) determining if the measured amounts of two or more analytes, two or more characteristics, or at least one analyte and at least one characteristic, indicate the presence of a geological feature;
• and (e) determining if the geological feature which is indicative of carbon sequestration capability, or lack thereof, of at least the portion of the site.