Review: The potential impact of underground geological storage of carbon dioxide in deep saline aquifers on shallow groundwater resources

Underground geological storage of CO2 in deep saline aquifers is considered for reducing greenhouse gases emissions into the atmosphere. However, some issues were raised with regard to the potential hazards to shallow groundwater resources from CO2 leakage, brine displacement and pressure build-up. An overview is provided of the current scientific knowledge pertaining to the potential impact on shallow groundwater resources of geological storage of CO2 in deep saline aquifers, identifying knowledge gaps for which original research opportunities are proposed. Two main impacts are defined and discussed therein: the near-field impact due to the upward vertical migration of free-phase CO2 to surficial aquifers, and the far-field impact caused by large-scale displacement of formation waters by the injected CO2. For the near-field, it is found that numerical studies predict possible mobilization of trace elements but concentrations are rarely above the maximum limit for potable water. For the far-field, numerical studies predict only minor impacts except for some specific geological conditions such as high caprock permeability. Despite important knowledge gaps, the possible environmental impacts of geological storage of CO2 in deep saline aquifers on shallow groundwater resources appears to be low, but much more work is required to evaluate site specific impacts.RésuméLe stockage géologique souterrain de gaz carbonique dans des aquifères salins profonds est envisagé pour la réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre dans l’atmosphère. Cependant, certains risques potentiels vis à vis des nappes superficielles ont été invoqués du fait des fuites de CO2: migration de saumure, augmentations de pression. Une vue d’ensemble d’état de l’art concernant l’impact potentiel sur les ressources superficielles en eau souterraine du stockage géologique du CO2 dans des aquifères salins profonds est présentée, identifiant des lacunes de connaissances pour lesquelles des opportunités de recherche originale sont proposées. Deux impacts principaux sont définis et discutés ci-dessous : l’impact en champ proche dû à la migration verticale ascendante de la phase CO2 libre vers les aquifères superficiels, et l’impact en champ lointain causé par le déplacement à grande échelle des eaux de l’aquifère induit par le CO2 injecté. Pour le champ proche, les simulations numériques prévoient la mobilisation possible d’éléments trace ; néanmoins, les concentrations sont rarement au dessus du seuil de potabilité. Pour le champ lointain, les simulations numériques prévoient seulement des impacts mineurs, à l’exception de certains contextes géologiques spécifiques tels ceux comportant des roches de couvertures de forte perméabilité. En dépit d’importantes lacunes de connaissances, les impacts environnementaux potentiels du stockage géologique souterrain de CO2 dans des aquifères salins profonds, sur les nappes superficielles, apparaissent faibles. Mais beaucoup plus de travail est nécessaire pour évaluer les impacts spécifiques sur site.ResumenEl almacenamiento geológico subterráneo de CO2 en acuíferos salinos profundos es tenido en cuenta para la reducción de la emisión de gases invernaderos en la atmósfera. Sin embargo se plantearon algunas cuestiones en relación a los riesgos potenciales para los recursos de agua subterránea someros a partir de la filtración de CO2 , desplazamiento de las salmueras y acumulación de presión. Se expone una visión general del conocimiento científico actual concerniente al impacto potencial del almacenamiento geológico de CO2 en acuíferos salinos profundos sobre los recursos de agua subterránea someros, identificando los baches de conocimiento para lo cual se proponen oportunidades originales de investigación. Se definen y discuten dos de los principales impactos: el impacto de campo local debido a la migración vertical ascendente de la fase libre de CO2 a los acuíferos superficiales, y el impacto de campo a gran distancia causado por desplazamiento a gran escala de aguas de formación con el CO2 inyectado. Se encontró para el campo local que los estudios numéricos predicen la posible movilización de elementos trazadores pero las concentraciones están raramente por encima del límite máximo para agua potable. Para el campo a gran distancia, los estudios numéricos predicen solamente impactos menores, excepto para algunas condiciones geológicas específicas tales como alta permeabilidad de la roca de cubierta. A pesar de los importantes baches en el conocimiento, los posibles impactos ambientales sobre los recursos de agua subterránea somera debido al almacenamiento geológico de CO2 en acuíferos salinos profundos parecen ser bajos, pero se requiere mucho más trabajo para evaluar los impactos en sitios específicos.摘要摘要: 深部咸水层中二氧化碳的地质封存被认为可以减少大气圈中温室气体的排放。但考虑到二氧化碳封存造成的泄漏、卤水位移和压力积聚,它可能对浅层地下水资源造成潜在的危害。本文总结了现有的相关知识,对深部咸水层中二氧化碳地质封存对浅层地下水资源的潜在影响进行了综述,并理出了为原创性研究提供机会的知识缺口。本文定义并讨论了两个主要影响:自由态的二氧化碳向浅部含水层的垂直迁移造成的近场地影响;二氧化碳的注入导致地层水大尺度位移造成的远场地影响。在近场地影响中,数值研究能预测痕量元素的运移,但含量很少超过饮用水中规定的最高允许值。数值研究结果显示远场地影响极小,但盖层渗透性较高的场地除外。尽管存在重要的知识缺口,深部咸水层中二氧化碳的地下地质封存对浅层地下水资源的可能环境影响小,但评估特定场地的具体影响时需要做更多工作。ResumoO armazenamento subterrâneo de CO2 em aquíferos salinos profundos está a ser considerado, com vista à redução das emissões de gases de estufa para a atmosfera. No entanto, têm-se levantado algumas questões relacionadas com os riscos potenciais para as águas subterrâneas menos profundas, resultantes da drenância do CO2, da deslocação das salmouras e da subida da pressão. É feita uma revisão dos conhecimentos científicos atuais sobre o impacte potencial do armazenamento geológico subterrâneo de CO2 nos recursos hídricos subterrâneos menos profundos, identificando lapsos de conhecimento para os quais são sugeridas oportunidades de pesquisa futura. Dois impactes principais são definidos e discutidos neste documento: o impacte, próximo da zona de introdução do CO2, da migração vertical da fase livre de CO2 para os aquíferos superiores, e o impacte, nos campos mais afastados, causado pela deslocação em larga escala de águas da formação, influenciada pela injeção de CO2. Para o campo próximo, verificou-se que os estudos numéricos predizem uma possível mobilização de elementos traço, mas as concentrações raramente estrão acima do limite máximo para águas potáveis. Para o campo mais afastado, os estudos numéricos predizem apenas impactes menores, excepto para algumas condições geológicas específicas, tal como uma permeabilidade elevada das rochas de cobertura. Apesar de lapsos importantes de conhecimento, os impactes ambientais do armazenamento geológico de CO2 em aquíferos salinos profundos nos recursos hídricos subterrâneos menos profundos parece ser pequeno, mas é necessária muito mais investigação para avaliar os reais impactes em cada local específico.

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