20 research outputs found
Physical, chemical and biological survey at submarine CO2 vents off Panarea Island (Italy): cruise report ECO2-9
Gases and seabed fluid fluxes at the Panarea shallow hydrothermal vents (Aeolian Islands)
CO2 leaking into the shallow sediments and overlying seawater is partitioned in different forms, each
migrating at its own rate and having potentially different impacts. To begin with the CO2 gas will
migrate through the shallow subsurface either alone as a free gas or together with associated deep
fluids (e.g. brines), with the free-phase CO2 equilibrating with the surrounding pore waters/associated
brines. Migrating upward these fluids will enter the base of the water column, with the release of gas
bubbles (and possibly associated waters) from the sediments into the overlying seawater. The bubbles
will rise in the water column creating what is known as a bubble âflareâ with the CO2 in the bubbles
dissolving in the surrounding surface water as they rise. Depending on the depth and the
chemical/physical characteristics of the water column, these bubbles may or may not reach the water
surface. Any co-migrating water/brine will also be released into the water column, creating a plume
having a chemical composition that is distinct from the surrounding seawater, consisting of dissolved
gases (mainly CO2), elements in the original brine, and elements liberated via CO2-induced water-rock
interaction. The height that this dissolved plume will reach in the water column will depend on the
original flow rate across the sediment-water interface and the density contrast between the plume
and surrounding seawater. Both the gas-induced and water plumes will then migrate laterally and
vertically as a result of the local currents, water column stratification, and density effects, meaning
that there is the potential for impact both in the near and far field for pelagic organisms, both in terms
of a lower pH and the possibility of elevated concentrations of toxic elements. This study was carried
out in the framework of two EC funded projects, RISCS and ECO2 related to research on sub-seabed
CO2 storage as climate change mitigation strategy, and potential impact on marine ecosystems. Here,
we investigated how CO2-leakage, a risk associated with subseafloor CO2-storage, can affect physical
and chemical characteristics of the surrounding ecosystem. We studied the Panarea natural
laboratory site (Aeolian Islands), where natural CO2 is leaking from the seafloor into the overlying
water column, as an analogue for a leakage scenario
Preliminary Experiments and Modelling of the Fate of CO2 Bubbles in the Water Column Near Panarea Island (Italy)
Although CO2 capture and storage in deep, offshore reservoirs is a proven technology, as illustrated by over 15 years of operation of the Sleipner site in the Norwegian North Sea, potential leakage from such sites into the overlying water column remains a concern for some stakeholders. Therefore, we are obliged to carefully assess our ability to predict and monitor the migration, fate, and potential ecosystem impact of any leaked CO2. The release of bubbles from the sea floor, their upward movement, and their dissolution into the surrounding water controls the initial boundary conditions, and thus an understanding of the behavior of CO2 bubbles is critical to address such issues related to monitoring and risk assessment. The present study describes results from an in situ experiment conducted in 12 m deep marine water near the extinct volcanic island of Panarea (Italy). Bubbles of a controlled size were created using natural CO2 released from the sea floor, and their evolution during ascent in the water column was monitored via both video and chemical measurements. The obtained results were modelled and a good fit was obtained, showing the potential of the model as a predictive tool. These preliminary results and an assessment of the difficulties encountered are examined and will be used to improve experimental design for the subsequent phase of this research
Water column monitoring at CO2 leaking sites near Panarea Island
The fate and transport of geologically produced CO2 that leaks from the sea floor into the overlying
water column has numerous important implications related to large scale carbon cycling and potential
impact on marine organisms, and is of interest for the development of improved monitoring
techniques and strategies for offshore Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) sites. The CO2 leakage
areas off the east coast of Panarea Island, Italy provides an excellent environment to study these
processes given the wide range of different flux rates in relatively shallow water. The water column
at this site was monitored using two completely different but complementary approaches, continuous
monitoring along short 2D transects using GasPro pCO2 sensors and discrete seasonal sampling along
a 700 m transect crossing multiple leakage areas. Results are discussed in terms of the movement of
CO2, and associated tracers, in the water column
The Panarea natural CO2 seeps: fate and impact of the leaking gas (PaCO2) ; R/V URANIA, Cruise No. U10/2011, 27 July â 01 August 2011, Naples (Italy) â Naples (Italy)
Carbon capture and storage (CCS), both on- and offshore, is expected to be an important
technique to mitigate anthropogenic effects on global climate by isolating man-made
carbon dioxide (CO2) in deep geological formations. In marine environments, however,
the potential impacts of CO2 leakage, appropriate detection methods, and risk and
pathways of atmospheric emissions are poorly defined.
The natural CO2 gas seeps that occur in the relatively shallow waters off the coast of
Panarea Island (Aeolian Islands, Italy) can be studied as a large-scale, real-world
analogue of what might occur at a leaking offshore CCS site and what tools can be used
to study it.
The oceanographic survey PaCO2 was performed aboard R/V Urania from 27 July â 01
August 2011 (Naples â Naples). The projectâs ship-time was funded by Eurofleets, with
work being performed as a sub-project of the Seventh Framework Programme projects
âECO2â and âRISCSâ, which provided subsidiary funding. Large amounts of data and
samples were collected during the cruise which will be interpreted in the coming months,
with preliminary results detailed here. Of particular importance was the discovery of
much larger areas showing gas seepage than previously reported.
Interdisciplinary measurements were performed at the Panarea seepage site. The
international team of scientists onboard R/V Urania performed complementary sampling
and measurements for biological, chemical, and physical parameters throughout the area.
Together with the dedication of R/V Uraniaâs Captain and crew, and the eagerness and
cooperation of the scientific crew, we were able to obtain excellent scientific results
during this six-day cruise
PRIMA OSSERVAZIONE DI PARACARTIA GRANI SARS, 1904 (COPEPODA, CALANOIDA) NEL GOLFO DI TRIESTE.
Bubble video experiments in the marine waters off Panarea Island (Italy): real-world data for modelling CO2 bubble dissolution and evolution
Exceptional dense water formation on the Adriatic shelf in the winter of 2012
In this paper we document dense water formation throughout the Adriatic shelf and coastal area in January/February 2012, resulting in record-breaking densities observed during and after the event. The unprecedented dense water generation was preconditioned by a dry and warm year which resulted in a significant reduction of coastal freshwaters, superimposed on a long-term basin-wide salinity increase. The final event that triggered the dense water formation was an extended period of cold weather with strong and severe winds. Record-breaking potential density anomalies (above 30 kg m<sup>â3</sup>) were measured at several formation sites. Accumulated surface net heat and water losses in some coastal regions exceeded 1.5 GJ m<sup>â2</sup> and 250 kg m<sup>â2</sup> over 21 days, respectively. Excessiveness, importance of shelf-type dense water formation and effects on the thermohaline circulation and deep aquatic systems are discussed
Sostenibilit\ue0 della Mitilicoltura triestina SosteMiTs
Dal complesso degli studi emerge la sostenibilit\ue0 degli allevamenti di Mytilus galloprovincialis del Golfo di Trieste dal punto biologico e delle risorse rinnovabili, il loro impatto ambientale limitato e reversibile, ma anche l\u2019importanza di tale attivit\ue0 nel contesto socio-economico regionale. Un CD, accluso alla Relazione di sintesi, riporta le Relazioni estese dei singoli studi e, per i dati completi, \ue8 opportuno rivolgersi al Coordinatore del Progetto od ai Coordinatori dei singoli moduli operativi