Microbial impacts of CO2 transport in Sherwood Sandstone

Wragg, J.; Rushton, J.C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5931-7537; Bateman, K.; Green, K.; Harrison, H.; Wagner, D.; Milodowski, A.E.; West, J.M.. 2013 Microbial impacts of CO2 transport in Sherwood Sandstone. Nottingham, UK, British Geological Survey, 51pp. (OR/12/023) (Unpublished)

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Abstract/Summary

Work carried out by BGS and the Japan Atomic Energy Authority (JAEA) has shown that microbial processes can have profound effects on the transport properties of host rock (i.e. the movement of fluids and contaminants through the host material) relevant to radioactive waste disposal. Recent research, performed as part of the BGS Radtran project, has examined Sherwood Sandstone samples in the context of radioactive waste disposal; this particular formation is also a potential reservoir for carbon dioxide storage in the UK. As part of the BGS opportunities fund programme, this project has, for the first time, evaluated interactions between fluids saturated with carbon dioxide/Sherwood Sandstone/microbes (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in transport experiments, using BGS developed apparatus under pressurised subsurface conditions. This pilot study has highlighted the impacts of differences in the physical characteristics of core Sherwood Sandstone samples collected adjacent to each other in a core sample, and the ability of P. aeruginosa to survive in CO2 saturated artificial groundwater and the potential to form a biofilm in an environment suitable likely to be found at a carbon capture and storage location. These results demonstrate that in this short study, the injection of P. aeruginosa into the biotic experiment does not appear to impact on the physical transport properties of the Sherwood Sandstone, although the presence of CO2 appears to enhance the mobilisation of a number of chemical species. However, in other work which utilised the same organism and rock type but without introduction of CO2 saturated fluid, post-inoculation injection changes were observed. These included short but rapid saw-tooth like changes in the pressure profile (Wragg et al, 2012). These impacts were not observed in the current study which suggests that the CO2 saturated fluid was impacting on the ability of the microbes to alter permeability. This short study has, however, indicated the need to carry out longer term investigations to reproduce these initial findings.

Item Type:	Publication - Report
Funders/Sponsors:	NERC
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This item has been internally reviewed but not externally peer-reviewed
Date made live:	15 Jan 2014 13:27 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/504521

Item Type:

Publication - Report

Funders/Sponsors:

NERC

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

This item has been internally reviewed but not externally peer-reviewed

Date made live:

15 Jan 2014 13:27 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/504521