Plants are valuable in surface detection of leaks from CO2 sequestration fields.
Hotspots of leaf dieback formed above leaks of CO2 at the ZERT experimental field.
Visible stress responses and disrupted leaf physiology occurred in hotspot plants.
Dandelion leaves were more sensitive to high soil CO2 than grass leaves.
Plants responded quickly to very high soil CO2 at ZERT and can indicate CO2 leaks.