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Zhao X, Deng H, Wang W, Han F, Li C, Zhang H, Dai Z. Impact of naturally leaking carbon dioxide on soil properties and ecosystems in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3001. [PMID: 28592834 PMCID: PMC5462800 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02500-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the major concerns for CO2 capture and storage (CCS) is the potential risk of CO2 leakage from storage reservoirs on the shallow soil property and vegetation. This study utilizes a naturally occurring CO2 leaking site in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to analog a "leaking CCS site". Our observations from this site indicates that long-term CO2 invasion in the vadose zone results in variations of soil properties, such as pH fluctuation, slight drop of total organic carbon, reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus, and concentration changes of soluble ions. Simultaneously, XRD patterns of the soil suggest that crystallization of soil is enhanced and mineral contents of calcite and anorthite in soil are increased substantially. Parts of the whole ecosystem such as natural wild plants, soil dwelling animals and microorganisms in shallow soil are affected as well. Under a moderate CO2 concentration (less than 110000 ppm), wild plant growth and development are improved, while an intensive CO2 flux over 112000 ppm causes adverse effects on the plant growth, physiological and biochemical system of plants, and crop quality of wheat. Results of this study provide valuable insight for understanding the possible environmental impacts associated with potential CO2 leakage into shallow sediments at carbon sequestration sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecology in Arid Areas, Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710054, P. R. China
| | - Hongzhang Deng
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecology in Arid Areas, Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710054, P. R. China
| | - Wenke Wang
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecology in Arid Areas, Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710054, P. R. China.
| | - Feng Han
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecology in Arid Areas, Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710054, P. R. China
| | - Chunrong Li
- Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecology in Arid Areas, Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710054, P. R. China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Center for Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology Survey, CGS, Hebei Baoding, 071051, P. R. China
| | - Zhenxue Dai
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, 87544, USA.
- College of Construction Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, 130026, P. R. China.
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, P. R. China.
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Morales SE, Holben WE. Functional response of a near-surface soil microbial community to a simulated underground CO2 storage leak. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81742. [PMID: 24303067 PMCID: PMC3841170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the impacts of leaks from geologic carbon sequestration, also known as carbon capture and storage, is key to developing effective strategies for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions management and mitigation of potential negative effects. Here, we provide the first report on the potential effects of leaks from carbon capture and storage sites on microbial functional groups in surface and near-surface soils. Using a simulated subsurface CO2 storage leak scenario, we demonstrate how CO2 flow upward through the soil column altered both the abundance (DNA) and activity (mRNA) of microbial functional groups mediating carbon and nitrogen transformations. These microbial responses were found to be seasonally dependent and correlated to shifts in atmospheric conditions. While both DNA and mRNA levels were affected by elevated CO2, they did not react equally, suggesting two separate mechanisms for soil microbial community response to high CO2 levels. The results did not always agree with previous studies on elevated atmospheric (rather than subsurface) CO2 using FACE (Free-Air CO2 Enrichment) systems, suggesting that microbial community response to CO2 seepage from the subsurface might differ from its response to atmospheric CO2 increases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio E. Morales
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology Program and Systems Ecology Program, Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - William E. Holben
- Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology Program and Systems Ecology Program, Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
- Montana—Ecology of Infectious Diseases Program, The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
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