Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2025
00:13
Using Flexible Gold-Titanium Reaction Cells to Simulate Pressure-Dependent Microbial Activity in the Context of Subsurface Biomining
Published on: October 5, 2019
6.6K
Artificial subsurface lithoautotrophic microbial ecosystems and gas storage in deep subsurface.
1Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Pau 64000, France.
FEMS Microbiology Ecology
|October 24, 2024
Summary
Converting underground gas storage to hydrogen storage may create new microbial ecosystems. These artificial subsurface lithoautotrophic microbial ecosystems (SLiMEs) could impact hydrogen quality and safety, but high pH may limit their activity.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Geology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Underground gas storage (UGS) facilities are being considered for conversion to underground hydrogen (H2) storage.
- Deep subsurface environments host microbial communities, including hydrogenotrophic microorganisms.
- The concept of anaerobic subsurface lithoautotrophic microbial ecosystems (SLiMEs) is established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the current microbiological knowledge of UGS facilities.
- To discuss the potential formation and impact of artificial SLiMEs in H2 storage.
- To highlight the implications for the H2 industry and ecological monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing microbiological knowledge on UGS environments.
- Analysis of microbial activities (sulfate reduction, acetogenesis, methanogenesis) in relation to H2 injection.
- Examination of environmental factors, such as pH, influencing microbial ecosystems.
Main Results:
- Artificial SLiMEs are expected to form upon large-scale H2 injection into UGS.
- Potential risks include H2 loss, methanogenesis, gas degradation, and sulfide production.
- Microbial activity can lead to significant alkalinization (up to pH 10), potentially limiting hydrogenotrophy.
Conclusions:
- Understanding artificial SLiMEs is crucial for safe and efficient H2 storage development.
- Alkalinization presents a potential control mechanism for microbial activity in H2 reservoirs.
- Studying these evolving ecosystems offers insights into deep subsurface environmental dynamics.
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