CO 2 capture and geological storage offers an option for reducing man-made greenhouse gas emissions. But one major concern related to geological CO 2 storage is the possibility of leakage from the reservoir and subsequent effects on the environment, which cannot completely be excluded. This study aims at investigating the environmental impact of CO 2 release from reservoirs into near surface terrestrial environments. To understand the effect of CO 2 leakage on such an ecosystem, detailed knowledge on the abundance and diversity of plants and microorganisms is essential. Therefore, an ecosystem study has been conducted within the Network of Excellence "CO 2 GeoNet" on a natural CO 2 vent at the Laacher See, Germany. Near surface CO 2 conditions and CO 2 fluxes of the venting area were described by means of conventional soil gas measurement equipment, and brought up the difference between the CO 2 anomalies and their surroundings. A comparison of the soil columns between control sites and the centre of the venting area showed a small but significant change in the soil pH below 10 cm. The botanical survey revealed some remarkable vegetation changes like the investigation of important soil microbial communities showed significant differences between the CO 2 -rich sites (up to 90% and more of soil gas), medium CO 2 sites (~20%), and control locations with background CO 2 concentrations. The ecosystem appears to be adapted to the different conditions through species substitution or adaptation, showing a shift towards anaerobic and acidotolerant to acidophilic species under elevated CO 2 concentrations. At the end, this ongoing study should identify possible candidates in the botanical and microbial kingdoms, whose presence or absence provide easily detectable indicators for the leakage of CO 2 from deep reservoirs into near surface terrestrial ecosystems.

CO2 capture and storage (CCS) in deep geological formations is one option currently evaluated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, the impact of a possible CO2 leakage from a storage site into surface environments has to be evaluated. During such a hypothetical leakage event, the CO2 migrates upwards along fractures entering surface soils, a scenario similar to naturally occurring CO2 vents. Therefore, such a natural analogue site at the Laacher See was chosen for an ecosystem study on the effects of high CO2 concentrations on soil chemistry and microbiology. The microbial activities revealed differences in their spatial distribution and temporal variability for CO2 -rich and reference soils. Furthermore, the abundance of several functional and group-specific gene markers revealed further differences, for example, a decrease in Geobacteraceae and an increase in sulphate-reducing prokaryotes in the vent centre. Molecular-biological fingerprinting of the microbial communities with DGGE indicated a shift in the environmental conditions within the Laacher See soil column leading to anaerobic and potentially acidic microenvironments. Furthermore, the distribution and phylogenetic affiliation of the archaeal 16S rRNA genes, the presence of ammonia-oxidizing Archaea and the biomarker analysis revealed a predominance of Thaumarchaeota as possible indicator organisms for elevated CO2 concentrations in soils.

International audienceCO 2 capture and sto rage in deep saline aquifers or depleted gas and oil reservoirs offer is one option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our study aims at investigating the environmental impact of CO 2 leakage from deep reservoirs into near-surface terrestrial environmen ts. To understand the effect of unlikely, but potential CO2 release on such an ecosystem, detailed knowledge on the abundance and diversity of plants and microorganisms is essential. Therefore, an ecosystem study has been conducted within the N etwork of Excellence “ CO2GeoNet” on a natural CO2 vent at the Laacher See, Germany. The investigation of environmentally important microbial communities in the soil samples show ed significant differences between the CO 2-rich (>90 % of soil gas) , the medium CO 2 (20%) , and the control site with background CO 2 concentrations. The ecosystem appears to have adapted to the different conditions through species substitution or adaptation, showing a shift towards anaerobic and acidophilic species under elevated CO 2 con centrations. At the end, this study should identify possible candidates in the botanical and microbial kingdoms, whose presence or absence provide easily detectable indicators for the leakage of CO 2 fro m deep reservoirs into near-surface terrestrial ecosystems

New methods for the monitoring of CO2 near the ground surface at geological CO2 storage sites have been tested over areas of natural CO2 emission. Mobile open path laser measurements and ground-surface portable infrared measurements show great promise for rapid assessment of large areas. Such techniques would help to focus more detailed investigations needed to verify the extent and source of the gas being emitted. It is envisaged that they would be used in conjunction with established field and laboratory techniques and continuous monitoring methods as part of an overall monitoring strategy for a CO2 storage site. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

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