Constraining the effectiveness of inherent tracers of captured CO2 for tracing CO2 leakage: demonstration in a controlled release site

YeoJin, J. et al. (2022) Constraining the effectiveness of inherent tracers of captured CO2 for tracing CO2 leakage: demonstration in a controlled release site. Science of the Total Environment, 824, 153835. (doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153835) (PMID:35176379)

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Abstract

Geological storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) is an integral component of cost-effective greenhouse gas emissions reduction scenarios. However, a robust monitoring regime is necessary for public and regulatory assurance that any leakage from a storage site can be detected. Here, we present the results from a controlled CO2 release experiment undertaken at the K-COSEM test site (South Korea) with the aim of demonstrating the effectiveness of the inherent tracer fingerprints (noble gases, δ13C) in monitoring CO2 leakage. Following injection of 396 kg CO2(g) into a shallow aquifer, gas release was monitored for 2 months in gas/water phases in and above the injection zone. The injection event resulted in negative concentration changes of the dissolved gases, attributed to the stripping action of the depleted CO2. Measured fingerprints from inherent noble gases successfully identified solubility-trapping of the injected CO2 within the shallow aquifer. The δ13C within the shallow aquifer could not resolve the level of gas trapping, due to the interaction with heterogeneous carbonate sources in the shallow aquifer. The time-series monitoring of δ13CDIC and dissolved gases detected the stripping action of injected CO2(g), which can provide an early warning of CO2 arrival. This study highlights that inherent noble gases can effectively trace the upwardly migrating and fate of CO2 within a shallow aquifer.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Carbon capture and storage, monitoring, CO2 leakage, inherent tracers, noble gas, solubility-trapping
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gyore, Dr Domokos and Stuart, Professor Fin
Authors: YeoJin, J., Györe, D., Gilfillan, S., Lee, S.-S., Cho, I., Ha, S.-W., Joun, W.-T., Kang, H.-J., Do, H.-K., Kaown, D., Stuart, F. M., Hahm, D., Park, K., Yun, S.-T., and Lee, K.-K.
Subjects:Q Science > QE Geology
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Science of the Total Environment
Journal Abbr.:STOTEN
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0048-9697
ISSN (Online):1879-1026
Published Online:14 February 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V.
First Published:First published in Science of the Total Environment 824: 153835
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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