Couplers for linking environmental models: scoping study and potential next steps

This report scopes out what couplers there are available in the hydrology and atmospheric modelling fields. The work reported here examines both dynamic runtime and one way file based coupling. Based on a review of the peer-reviewed literature and other open sources, there are a plethora of coupling technologies and standards relating to file formats. The available approaches have been evaluated against criteria developed as part of the DREAM project. Based on these investigations, the following recommendations are made: • The most promising dynamic coupling technologies for use within BGS are OpenMI 2.0 and CSDMS (either 1.0 or 2.0) • Investigate the use of workflow engines: Trident and Pyxis, the latter as part of the TSB/AHRC project “Confluence” • There is a need to include database standards CSW and GDAL and use data formats from the climate community NetCDF and CF standards. • Development of a “standard” composition which will consist of two process models and a 3D geological model all linked to data stored in the BGS corporate database and flat file format. Web Feature Services should be included in these compositions. There is also a need to investigate other approaches in different disciplines: The Loss Modelling Framework, OASIS-LMF is the best candidate

Baseline variability in onshore near surface gases and implications for monitoring at CO2 storage sites

The measurement of gas concentrations and fluxes in the soil and atmosphere is a powerful tool for monitoring geological carbon capture and storage (CCS) sites because the analyses are made directly in the biosphere in which we live. These methods can be used to both find and accurately quantifying leaks, and are visible and tangible data for public and ecosystem safety. To be most reliable and accurate, however, the measurements must be interpreted in the context of natural variations in gas concentration and flux. Such baseline data vary both spatially and temporally due to natural processes, and a clear understanding of their values and distributions is critical for interpreting near-surface gas monitoring techniques. The best example is CO2 itself, as the production of this gas via soil respiration can create a wide range of concentrations and fluxes that must be separated from, and not confused with, CO2 that may leak towards the surface from a storage reservoir. The present article summarizes baseline studies performed by the authors at various sites having different climates and geological settings from both Europe and North America, with focus given to the range of values that can result from near surface processes and how different techniques or data processing approaches can be used to help distinguish a leakage signal from an anomalous, shallow biogenic signal

Environmental monitoring : phase 5 final report (April 2019 - March 2020)

This report presents the results and interpretation for Phase 5 of an integrated environmental monitoring programme that is being undertaken around two proposed shale gas sites in England – Preston New Road, Lancashire and Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire. The report should be read in conjunction with previous reports freely available through the project website1 . These provide additional background to the project, presentation of earlier results and the rationale for establishment of the different elements of the monitoring programme

Environmental monitoring : phase 4 final report (April 2018 - March 2019)

This report describes the results of activities carried out as part of the Environmental Monitoring Project (EMP) led by the British Geological Survey (BGS) in areas around two shale gas sites in England – Kirby Misperton (Vale of Pickering, North Yorkshire) and Preston New Road (Fylde, Lancashire). It focuses on the monitoring undertaken during the period April 2018–March 2019 but also considers this in the context of earlier monitoring results that have been covered in reports for earlier phases of the project (Phases I–IV) 2 . The EMP project is a multi-partner project involving BGS together with Public Health England (PHE), University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Manchester, Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL) and University of York. The work has been enabled by funding from a combination of the BGS National Capability programme, a grant awarded by the UK Government’s Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and additional benefit-in-kind contributions from all partners. The project comprises the comprehensive monitoring of different environment compartments and properties at and around the two shale-gas sites. The component parts of the EMP are all of significance when considering environmental and human health risks associated with shale gas development. Included are seismicity, ground motion, water (groundwater and surface water), soil gas, greenhouse gases, air quality, and radon. The monitoring started before hydraulic fracturing had taken place at the two locations, and so the results obtained before the initiation of operations at the shale-gas sites represent baseline conditions. It is important to characterise adequately the baseline conditions so that any future changes caused by shale gas operations, including hydraulic fracturing, can be identified. This is also the case for any other new activities that may impact those compartments of the environment being monitored as part of the project. In the period October 2018–December 2018, an initial phase of hydraulic fracturing took place at the Preston New Road (PNR) shale-gas site (shale gas well PNR1-z) in Lancashire. This was followed by a period of flow testing of the well to assess its performance (to end of January 2019). The project team continued monitoring during these various activities and several environmental effects were observed. These are summarised below and described in more detail within the report. The initiation of operations at the shale-gas site signified the end of baseline monitoring. At the Kirby Misperton site (KMA), approval has not yet been granted for hydraulic fracturing of the shale gas well (KM8), and so no associated operations have taken place during the period covered by this report. The effects on air quality arising from the mobilisation of equipment in anticipation of hydraulic fracturing operations starting was reported in the Phase III report, and in a recently published paper3 . Following demobilisation of the equipment and its removal from the site, conditions returned to baseline and the on-going monitoring (reported in this report) is effectively a continuation of baseline monitoring

Nene phosphate in sediment investigation - Environment Agency Project REF: 30258

This report details the results of research the British Geological Survey has undertaken for the UK Environment Agency on sediment and phosphorus dynamics in the main six Water Framework Directive (WFD) water bodies of the River Nene in eastern England. The sampled water bodies started in the head waters of the Nene near Daventry (water body 1) and continued to the Dog in Doublet lock to the east of Peterborough (water body 6). The project comprised of three parts. These were (i) sampling and laboratory analysis (ii) landscape evolution modelling and catchment erosion assessments to provide first order estimates of sediment inputs and transport in the River Nene and (iii) combining these results to determine sediment TP (TP) and sediment Olsen extractable phosphate (OEP) budgets for the river. Results showed that there appeared to be geological/soil parent material controls on the concentrations of TP in the sediments of the River Nene, with water bodies 1-3 containing less TP than water bodies 4-6. Analysis of OEP showed that sediments contained high concentrations (up to 100 mg kg-1 OEP) that could be utilised by macrophytes and also potentially desorb to the river water. Calculation of the Effective Phosphorus Concentrations (EPC0) in each of the water bodies suggested that sediments were currently most likely to act as a sink for soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in the river water, rather than as a source. However this is likely to remain dependent on how river water SRP concentrations vary in the long-term and how EPC0 concentrations vary with ongoing deposition and erosion of sediment. Calculations of sorption of SRP within the active zone of the river bed (the 10 cm of water above the sediment surface and the top 5 cm of sediment) suggests that up to 10 % of the SRP in this water layer could be sorbed by the sediment as the river travels over a distance of 1 km. Catchment erosion rates, river inputs and transport through the six water bodies were examined using the Caesar Desc Platform (CDP) landscape evolution model and compared to reported literature values. The CPD model gave first order estimations of natural baseline catchment erosion of ~0.5 t km2 yr-1. However, human impacts on erosion such as land drainage are not included within this estimate. Therefore, literature erosion rates were identified, with the most robust catchment erosion rate being ~6.6 t km2 yr-1. Using output variables calculated from the CPD model we applied these to this value to give a range of likely erosion and transport for each of the six water bodies based on typical annual precipitation rates. It was calculated that between 1000 and 10000 tonnes sediment would pass through the end of water body 6 (Dog in Doublet) each year. Water body 5 had the greatest quantity of sediment leaving it whilst greatest sediment deposition occurred in water body 6. Sediment associated TP and OEP transport and deposition corresponds to these sediment movements as well as their respective concentrations in the sediment. It was calculated that between 4 and 42 T of TP and 0.074 and 0.69 T of OEP attached to sediment passes through the exit of water body 6 each year, either as suspended sediment or bedload. Water samples were analysed and a strong correlation found between SRP and Boron, suggesting that SRP in the river waters at the time of sampling had a strong sewage treatment works (STW) signature. With EPC0 results suggesting that river sediments are currently active sorbents of SRP, the presence of sediment is likely acting to decrease the SRP in the river water. Thus, the greatest management task to improve water quality with respect to the concentration of SRP is preventing the sediment becoming a source of SRP if the river water concentration falls below the EPC0 concentration. This may represent a balance between de-silting (although this would involve removing a SRP sink), the harvesting of macrophytes to remove P in the biomass and a continued decrease in P inputs from Sewage Treatment Works in addition to Catchment Sensitive farming approaches to reduce diffuse P inputs

NERC science : future impacts summary report

This report outlines the main outcomes from the NERC Science: Future impacts event held in March 2013 at Regent’s Park College, London. The meeting was convened by a cross-centre group to examine future social, technological, economic, environmental and political trends over the next 20 years that will drive the need for science research. By undertaking a series of horizon scanning activities, two questions were explored; What key shifts in natural environment research focus are needed to ensure socioeconomic impact in 20 years time? What do we need to do as a family of institutions to ensure we are fit for purpose in delivering natural environment research outcomes with socio-economic impact? The activities during the day were based around six themes for which environmental science research is required to deliver solutions to future challenges. The six themes were: Energy and mineral resources Food and water resources Urbanisation and land use Biodiversity Natural hazards New technologies The likely drivers and challenges for research within each theme were identified through a series of facilitated horizon scanning activities. Common emerging trends and challenges were then recognised. The overarching themes that were identified included enhanced public engagement, sustainable delivery of ecosystem services and natural capital (including sustainable resource exploitation), urbanisation and population growth, vulnerability of people to hazards and characterisation of offshore and extraterrestrial environments. In addressing the question of how to ensure that NERC is ‘fit-for-purpose’ in delivering longterm impact, four critical issues emerged during the discussions. First, clear mechanisms and incentives are required to support and promote multi-disciplinary research. Resolution of the future environmental challenges will require work across scientific, social and economic research areas. The second and third issues are closely linked, and relate to direct engagement with the public, and communication with multiple (and potentially competing) stakeholders. To resolve difficult decisions about the use and management of the environment requires direct, informed debate with those who benefit from natural environment research including the public, industry and government. This could be supported by providing information about the consequences of different decisions, and communication could be enhanced through use of new technologies. Most importantly, this should be driven by responding to issues of practical societal and economic value. Recognition of the influence of human activity within the wider environment is essential to demonstrate NERC’s role and relevance in understanding the role of humanenvironment interactions. Fourth, the style of communication, the mechanisms used to deliver scientific solutions, and the measurement of impact are essential considerations for demonstrating societal and economic relevance. In particular, research outputs need to show that NERC science contributes to longterm as well as short-term aims, and need to be tailored to the requirements of the principal stakeholders in order to deliver the maximum impact

Monitoring of near surface gas seepage from a shallow injection experiment at the CO2 Field Lab, Norway

International audienceNear surface gas measurements are presented from a shallow (20 m depth) CO2 injection experiment at the CO2 Field Lab site in Svelvik, Norway, which was designed to test a variety of monitoring tools. Small areas of surface seepage of CO2 were detected during the experiment and these spread as the injection rate was increased. These features only accounted for a small fraction of the injected gas. Isotopic measurements revealed traces of injected CO2 at 50 cm depth nearer the injection point. The spatial extent of this is unknown but it is not likely to imply a significant amount of CO2 seepage. The locations of the gas escape were not as anticipated by prior modelling and highlight the difficulty of predicting where leakage may occur and, hence, where to deploy monitoring equipment. This unpredictability and the limited size of the seeps implies that monitoring will have to be flexible, preferably mobile and capable of detecting small features in large areas if successful leakage detection at surface is to be achieved. Low level seepage, such as that suggested isotopically here, could be significant for carbon auditing if it occurs over wide areas. This could be tested in areas of natural CO2 seepage

Monitoring of near-surface gas geochemistry at the Weyburn, Canada, CO2-EOR site, 2001–2011

Soil gas and CO2 flux measurements were conducted above and in the vicinity of the Weyburn oil field during the period 2001–2005 and in 2011 to determine baseline values and distributions, and to monitor for surface leaks, above this well-established and intensely studied CO2-Enhanced Oil Recovery (CO2-EOR) project in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Multiple sites were studied which had sample spacing that ranged from 25 to 200 m, including a 360 point regional grid above the CO2 injection field, a background site off the oil field, and a new site where a landowner claimed CO2 leakage on his property from the storage reservoir. Typically 400–500 points were sampled during each of the seven field campaigns and analysed for a wide range of components, thus yielding a large and varied database collected during different seasons and years. Results show no sign of leakage of the injected CO2. Spatial and seasonal trends and measured values from discrete sampling of soil gas CO2, O2 + Ar, N2, δ13C-CO2, He, Rn, and CH4, from continuous monitoring of soil gas CO2 and Rn, and from discrete sampling of CO2 flux can all be explained by the interplay between near-surface biochemical processes, seasonal environmental conditions, and soil properties. Other light hydrocarbon gases, like C2H4 and C2H6, were generally near or below the instrument detection limit. Lessons learned during the research are described to help improve future near-surface gas geochemistry surveys for site assessment, baseline definition, and leakage monitoring at active CCS sites

Investigations of alleged CO2 leakage in Weyburn, Canada in the context of longer term surface gas monitoring

International audienceThe Weyburn oilfield in SE Saskatchewan, Canada has been in production for more than 50 years. A CO2 flood was started in 2000 to enhance oil recovery. The gas is piped from a coal gasification plant across the US border in North Dakota. In addition to boosting oil production it is expected that about 30 million tonnes of CO2 will be permanently stored in the reservoir, at a depth of about 1400 m, by the end of the 30 year lifetime of the project