Variation in Energy Available to Populations of Subsurface Anaerobes in Response to Geological Carbon Storage

Microorganisms can strongly influence the chemical and physical properties of the subsurface. Changes in microbial activity caused by geological CO2 storage, therefore, have the potential to influence the capacity, injectivity, and integrity of CO2 storage reservoirs and ultimately the environmental...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2011-08, Vol.45 (15), p.6676-6682
Main Author: Kirk, Matthew F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetates - metabolism
Alkalies - chemistry
Anaerobiosis
Bacteria, Anaerobic - metabolism
Carbon - metabolism
Carbon dioxide
Climatology. Bioclimatology. Climate change
Earth, ocean, space
Energy
Energy and the Environment
Environmental impact
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Geological Phenomena
Groundwater
Hydrogen - metabolism
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Iron - metabolism
Meteorology
Methane - metabolism
Microorganisms
Thermodynamics
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Summary:Microorganisms can strongly influence the chemical and physical properties of the subsurface. Changes in microbial activity caused by geological CO2 storage, therefore, have the potential to influence the capacity, injectivity, and integrity of CO2 storage reservoirs and ultimately the environmental impact of CO2 injection. This analysis uses free energy calculations to examine variation in energy available to Fe(III) and SO4 2– reducers and methanogens because of changes in the bulk composition of brine and shallow groundwater following subsurface CO2 injection. Calculations were performed using data from two field experiments, the Frio Formation experiment and an experiment at the Zero Emission Research and Technology test site. Energy available for Fe(III) reduction increased significantly during CO2 injection in both experiments, largely because of a decrease in pH from near-neutral levels to just below 6. Energy available to SO4 2– reducers and methanogens varied little. These changes can lead to a greater rate of microbial Fe(III) reduction following subsurface CO2 injection in reservoirs where Fe(III) oxides or oxyhydroxides are available and the rate of Fe(III) reduction is limited by energy available prior to injection.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/es201279e