Kampman, N., Burnside, N. M. , Shipton, Z. K., Chapman, H. J., Nicholl, J. A., Ellam, R. M. and Bickle, M.J. (2012) Pulses of carbon dioxide emissions from intracrustal faults following climatic warming. Nature Geoscience, 5(5), pp. 352-358. (doi: 10.1038/NGEO1451)
Full text not currently available from Enlighten.
Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/NGEO1451
Abstract
Carbon capture and geological storage represents a potential means of managing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Understanding the role of faults, as either barriers or conduits to the flow of carbon dioxide, is crucial for predicting the long-term integrity of geological storage sites. Of particular concern is the influence of geochemical reactions on the sealing behaviour of faults and the impact of seismicity and stress regime on fault stability. Here, we examine a 135,000-year palaeorecord of carbon dioxide leakage from a faulted, natural carbon dioxide reservoir in Utah. We assess the isotope and trace-element composition of U–Th-dated carbonate veins, deposited by carbon-dioxide-rich fluids. Temporal changes in vein geochemistry reveal pulses of carbon dioxide injection into the reservoir from deeper formations. Surface leakage rates increase by several orders of magnitude following these pulses. We show that each pulse occurs around 100–2,000 years after the onset of significant local climatic warming, at glacial to interglacial transitions. We suggest that carbon dioxide leakage rates increase as a result of fracture opening, potentially caused by changes in groundwater hydrology, the intermittent presence of a buoyant gas cap and postglacial crustal unloading of regions surrounding the fault.
Item Type: | Articles |
---|---|
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Ellam, Professor Rob and Burnside, Dr Neil and Shipton, Dr Zoe |
Authors: | Kampman, N., Burnside, N. M., Shipton, Z. K., Chapman, H. J., Nicholl, J. A., Ellam, R. M., and Bickle, M.J. |
College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences |
Journal Name: | Nature Geoscience |
ISSN: | 1752-0894 |
Published Online: | 22 April 2012 |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record