Stragegies to Detect Hidden Geothermal Systems Based on Monitoringand Analysis of CO2 in the Near-Surface Environment

Journal Article · Tue Mar 29 00:00:00 EST 2005 · Geophysical Research Letter

OSTI ID:929747

Lewicki, Jennifer L; Oldenburg, Curtis M

We investigate the potential for CO2 monitoring in thenear-surface environment as an approach to exploration for hiddengeothermal systems. Numerical simulations of CO2 migration from a modelhidden geothermal system show that CO2 concentrations can reach highlevels in the shallow subsurface even for relatively low CO2 fluxes.Therefore, subsurface measurements offer an advantage over above-groundmeasurements which are affected by winds that rapidly disperse CO2. Tomeet the challenge of detecting geothermal CO2 emissions within thenatural background variability of CO2, we propose an approach thatintegrates available detection and monitoring techniques with statisticalanalysis and modeling.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency andRenewable Energy. Solar and R enewable Resource Technologies
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 929747
• Report Number(s): LBNL-57414; R&D Project: G32615; BnR: EB4005010; TRN: US200812%%641
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letter, Vol. 32, Issue 10; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 15 October2005
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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DETECTION
EXPLORATION
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
MONITORING
SIMULATION