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Related Experiment Video

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Design and Construction of an Experimental Setup to Enhance Mineral Weathering through the Activity of Soil Organisms

Design and Construction of an Experimental Setup to Enhance Mineral Weathering through the Activity of Soil Organisms

Published on: November 10, 2023

Trace metal source terms in carbon sequestration environments.

Athanasios K Karamalidis¹, Sharon G Torres, J Alexandra Hakala

¹Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States.

Environmental Science & Technology

|December 11, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration risks include brine leakage contaminating drinking water. This study measured trace metal release from geologic formations, finding chromium and lead exceed safe levels in some scenarios, impacting groundwater risk assessments.

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Area of Science:

Geochemistry
Environmental Science
Geology

Background:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration in geologic formations is a promising climate change mitigation strategy.
Potential leakage of CO2- or CO2-saturated brine from storage sites to overlying aquifers poses environmental and health risks.
Quantifying trace metal release is crucial for assessing groundwater contamination risks from leakage.

Purpose of the Study:

To experimentally determine trace metal concentrations released from various geologic formations under CO2 sequestration conditions.
To establish a source term for trace elements in risk simulations of CO2 leakage.
To evaluate the potential impact of leaked brines on drinking water quality.

Main Methods:

Measured trace metal release from diverse rock types (sandstones, shales, carbonates, evaporites, basalts) and cements.
Simulated reservoir and leakage pathway conditions (pressure, temperature, brine composition).
Analyzed solution concentrations over time and compared to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).

Main Results:

Chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) released from sandstone reservoirs and shale cap rocks exceeded MCLs by tenfold.
Arsenic (As) exceeded MCLs in carbonate reservoirs.
Cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) generally remained below drinking water thresholds across formations.

Conclusions:

Trace metal release from geologic formations during CO2 sequestration can pose risks to groundwater quality.
Experimental data provides a critical source term for risk simulations of CO2 leakage.
Specific formations (sandstones, shales, carbonates) show potential for releasing harmful levels of Cr, Pb, and As.