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Title: Interplay between microorganisms and geochemistry in geological carbon storage

Journal Article · · International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [3]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Kansas State Univ., Manhattan, KS (United States)
  3. The Univ. of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX (United States)

Researchers at the Center for Frontiers of Subsurface Energy Security (CFSES) have conducted laboratory and modeling studies to better understand the interplay between microorganisms and geochemistry for geological carbon storage (GCS). We provide evidence of microorganisms adapting to high pressure CO2 conditions and identify factors that may influence survival of cells to CO2 stress. Factors that influenced the ability of cells to survive exposure to high-pressure CO2 in our experiments include mineralogy, the permeability of cell walls and/or membranes, intracellular buffering capacity, and whether cells live planktonically or within biofilm. Column experiments show that, following exposure to acidic water, biomass can remain intact in porous media and continue to alter hydraulic conductivity. Our research also shows that geochemical changes triggered by CO2 injection can alter energy available to populations of subsurface anaerobes and that microbial feedbacks on this effect can influence carbon storage. Our research documents the impact of CO2 on microorganisms and in turn, how subsurface microorganisms can influence GCS. Furthermore, we conclude that microbial presence and activities can have important implications for carbon storage and that microorganisms should not be overlooked in further GCS research.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000; SC0001114
OSTI ID:
1251627
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1357290
Report Number(s):
SAND-2015-6450J; 599002
Journal Information:
International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, Vol. 47, Issue C; ISSN 1750-5836
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 7 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (4)

Microbial community composition of a hydrocarbon reservoir 40 years after a CO2 enhanced oil recovery flood journal August 2018
The Impact of Indigenous Microorganisms on the Mineral Corrosion and Mineral Trapping in the SO 2 Co-injected CO 2 -Saline-Sandstone Interaction journal October 2018
Thermodynamic and Kinetic Response of Microbial Reactions to High CO2 journal November 2016
Geochemical Influence on Microbial Communities at CO2-Leakage Analog Sites journal November 2017