Field Demonstration of CO2 Leakage Detection in Potable Aquifers with a Pulselike CO2-Release Test

Yang, Changbing; Hovorka, Susan D.; Delgado-Alonso, Jesus; Mickler, Patrick J.; Treviño, Ramón H.; Phillips, Straun

doi:10.1021/es5044003

Field Demonstration of CO₂ Leakage Detection in Potable Aquifers with a Pulselike CO₂-Release Test

Journal Article · Mon Nov 10 04:00:00 EST 2014 · Environmental Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es5044003· OSTI ID:1998594

Yang, Changbing ^[1]; Hovorka, Susan D. ^[2]; Delgado-Alonso, Jesus ^[3]; Mickler, Patrick J. ^[2]; Treviño, Ramón H. ^[2]; Phillips, Straun ^[3]

University of Texas at Austin, TX (United States); The University of Texas, Bureau of Economic Geology
University of Texas at Austin, TX (United States)
Intelligent Optical Systems Inc., Torrance, CA (United States)

Here, this study presents two field pulse-like CO₂-release tests to demonstrate CO₂ leakage detection in a shallow aquifer by monitoring groundwater pH, alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) using the periodic groundwater sampling method and a fiber-optic CO₂ sensor for real-time in situ monitoring of dissolved CO₂ in groundwater. Measurements of groundwater pH, alkalinity, DIC and dissolved CO₂ clearly deviated from their background values, showing responses to CO₂ leakage. Dissolved CO₂ observed in the tests was highly sensitive in comparison to groundwater pH, DIC, and alkalinity. Comparison of the pulse-like CO₂-release tests to other field tests suggests that pulse-like CO₂-release tests can provide reliable assessment of geochemical parameters indicative of CO₂ leakage. Measurements by the fiber-optic CO₂ sensor, showing obvious leakage signals, demonstrated the potential of real-time in situ monitoring of dissolved CO₂ for leakage detection at a GCS site. Results of a two-dimensional reactive transport model reproduced the geochemical measurements and confirmed that the decrease in groundwater pH and the increases in DIC and dissolved CO₂ observed in the pulse-like CO₂-release tests were caused by dissolution of CO₂ whereas alkalinity was likely affected by carbonate dissolution.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: University of Texas at Austin, TX (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE), Clean Coal and Carbon Management

Grant/Contract Number:: FC26-05NT42590

OSTI ID:: 1998594

Journal Information:: Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 48; ISSN 0013-936X

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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Field Demonstration of CO2 Leakage Detection in Potable Aquifers with a Pulselike CO2-Release Test

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Field Demonstration of CO₂ Leakage Detection in Potable Aquifers with a Pulselike CO₂-Release Test