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Chen SC, Musat F, Richnow HH, Krüger M. Microbial diversity and oil biodegradation potential of northern Barents Sea sediments. J Environ Sci (China) 2024; 146:283-297. [PMID: 38969457 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
The Arctic, an essential ecosystem on Earth, is subject to pronounced anthropogenic pressures, most notable being the climate change and risks of crude oil pollution. As crucial elements of Arctic environments, benthic microbiomes are involved in climate-relevant biogeochemical cycles and hold the potential to remediate upcoming contamination. Yet, the Arctic benthic microbiomes are among the least explored biomes on the planet. Here we combined geochemical analyses, incubation experiments, and microbial community profiling to detail the biogeography and biodegradation potential of Arctic sedimentary microbiomes in the northern Barents Sea. The results revealed a predominance of bacterial and archaea phyla typically found in the deep marine biosphere, such as Chloroflexi, Atribacteria, and Bathyarcheaota. The topmost benthic communities were spatially structured by sedimentary organic carbon, lacking a clear distinction among geographic regions. With increasing sediment depth, the community structure exhibited stratigraphic variability that could be correlated to redox geochemistry of sediments. The benthic microbiomes harbored multiple taxa capable of oxidizing hydrocarbons using aerobic and anaerobic pathways. Incubation of surface sediments with crude oil led to proliferation of several genera from the so-called rare biosphere. These include Alkalimarinus and Halioglobus, previously unrecognized as hydrocarbon-degrading genera, both harboring the full genetic potential for aerobic alkane oxidation. These findings increase our understanding of the taxonomic inventory and functional potential of unstudied benthic microbiomes in the Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Can Chen
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Division of Microbial Ecology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florin Musat
- Department of Biology, Section for Microbiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Hans-Hermann Richnow
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Krüger
- Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Stilleweg 2, 30655, Hannover, Germany
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Dehghani MR, Ghazi SF, Kazemzadeh Y. Interfacial tension and wettability alteration during hydrogen and carbon dioxide storage in depleted gas reservoirs. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11594. [PMID: 38773209 PMCID: PMC11109265 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62458-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The storage of CO2 and hydrogen within depleted gas and oil reservoirs holds immense potential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and advancing renewable energy initiatives. However, achieving effective storage necessitates a thorough comprehension of the dynamic interplay between interfacial tension and wettability alteration under varying conditions. This comprehensive review investigates the multifaceted influence of several critical parameters on the alterations of IFT and wettability during the injection and storage of CO2 and hydrogen. Through a meticulous analysis of pressure, temperature, treatment duration, pH levels, the presence of nanoparticles, organic acids, anionic surfactants, and rock characteristics, this review elucidates the intricate mechanisms governing the changes in IFT and wettability within reservoir environments. By synthesizing recent experimental and theoretical advancements, this review aims to provide a holistic understanding of the processes underlying IFT and wettability alteration, thereby facilitating the optimization of storage efficiency and the long-term viability of depleted reservoirs as carbon capture and storage or hydrogen storage solutions. The insights gleaned from this analysis offer invaluable guidance for researchers, engineers, and policymakers engaged in harnessing the potential of depleted reservoirs for sustainable energy solutions and environmental conservation. This synthesis of knowledge serves as a foundational resource for future research endeavors aimed at enhancing the efficacy and reliability of CO2 and hydrogen storage in depleted reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Rasool Dehghani
- Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Petroleum, Gas, and Petrochemical Engineering, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Seyede Fatemeh Ghazi
- Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Petroleum, Gas, and Petrochemical Engineering, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Yousef Kazemzadeh
- Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Petroleum, Gas, and Petrochemical Engineering, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.
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Dohrmann AB, Krüger M. Microbial H 2 Consumption by a Formation Fluid from a Natural Gas Field at High-Pressure Conditions Relevant for Underground H 2 Storage. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:1092-1102. [PMID: 36599497 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) has been proposed as one option for storage of excess energy from renewable sources. Depleted gas reservoirs appear suitable, but at the same time, they may be environments with potentially high microbial abundances and activities. Hydrogen (H2) is one of the most energetic substrates in such environments, and many microorganisms are able to oxidize H2, potentially leading to loss of H2 or other unwanted reactions like production of, e.g., H2S, clogging, or corrosion. This study addressed the potential of H2 consumption by naturally abundant microorganisms in formation fluid from a gas field at near in situ pressure and temperature conditions. Microbial H2 consumption was evident at ambient and 100 bar and tolerated pressure variations reflecting cycles of H2 storage. Temperature strongly influenced the activity with higher activity at 30 °C but lower activity at 60 °C. The activity was sulfate-dependent, and sulfide was produced. The microbial community composition changed during H2 consumption with an increase in sulfate-reducing prokaryotes (SRP). Thus, the presence of an SRP-containing, H2-consuming microbial community with activity at UHS-relevant pressure and temperature conditions was shown and should be taken into account when planning UHS at this and other sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja B Dohrmann
- Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Stilleweg 2, 30655Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Krüger
- Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Stilleweg 2, 30655Hannover, Germany
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Yu T, Chen Y. Effects of elevated carbon dioxide on environmental microbes and its mechanisms: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 655:865-879. [PMID: 30481713 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Before the industrial revolution, the atmospheric CO2 concentration was 180-330 ppm; however, fossil-fuel combustion and forest destruction have led to increased atmospheric CO2 concentration. CO2 capture and storage is regarded as a promising strategy to prevent global warming and ocean acidification and to alleviate elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, but the leakage of CO2 from storage system can lead to rapid acidification of the surrounding circumstance, which might cause negative influence on environmental microbes. The effects of elevated CO2 on microbes have been reported extensively, but the review regarding CO2 affecting different environmental microorganisms has never been done previously. Also, the mechanisms of CO2 affecting environmental microorganisms are usually contributed to the change of pH values, while the direct influences of CO2 on microorganisms were often neglected. This paper aimed to provide a systematic review of elevated CO2 affecting environmental microbes and its mechanisms. Firstly, the influences of elevated CO2 and potential leakage of CO2 from storage sites on community structures and diversity of different surrounding environmental microbes were assessed and compared. Secondly, the adverse impacts of CO2 on microbial growth, cell morphology and membranes, bacterial spores, and microbial metabolism were introduced. Then, based on biochemical principles and knowledge of microbiology and molecular biology, the fundamental mechanisms of the influences of carbon dioxide on environmental microbes were discussed from the aspects of enzyme activity, electron generation and transfer, and key gene and protein expressions. Finally, key questions relevant to the environmental effect of CO2 that need to be answered in the future were addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yinguang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Shelton JL, Andrews RS, Akob DM, DeVera CA, Mumford A, McCray JE, McIntosh JC. Microbial community composition of a hydrocarbon reservoir 40 years after a CO2 enhanced oil recovery flood. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2018; 94:5067868. [PMID: 30101289 PMCID: PMC6108538 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Injecting CO2 into depleted oil reservoirs to extract additional crude oil is a common enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) technique. However, little is known about how in situ microbial communities may be impacted by CO2 flooding, or if any permanent microbiological changes occur after flooding has ceased. Formation water was collected from an oil field that was flooded for CO2-EOR in the 1980s, including samples from areas affected by or outside of the flood region, to determine the impacts of CO2-EOR on reservoir microbial communities. Archaea, specifically methanogens, were more abundant than bacteria in all samples, while identified bacteria exhibited much greater diversity than the archaea. Microbial communities in CO2-impacted and non-impacted samples did not significantly differ (ANOSIM: Statistic R = -0.2597, significance = 0.769). However, several low abundance bacteria were found to be significantly associated with the CO2-affected group; very few of these species are known to metabolize CO2 or are associated with CO2-rich habitats. Although this study had limitations, on a broad scale, either the CO2 flood did not impact the microbial community composition of the target formation, or microbial communities in affected wells may have reverted back to pre-injection conditions over the ca. 40 years since the CO2-EOR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Lk Shelton
- Eastern Energy Resources Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA, 20192 USA
| | - Robert S Andrews
- Water Mission Area, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA, 20192 USA
| | - Denise M Akob
- Water Mission Area, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA, 20192 USA
| | - Christina A DeVera
- Eastern Energy Resources Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA, 20192 USA
| | - Adam Mumford
- Water Mission Area, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA, 20192 USA
| | - John E McCray
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illisnois Street, Golden, CO, 80401 USA.,Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, CO, 80401 USA
| | - Jennifer C McIntosh
- Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, 1133 E. James E. Rogers Way, Tucson, AZ, 85721 USA
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Scrutinising the Gap between the Expected and Actual Deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage—A Bibliometric Analysis. ENERGIES 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/en11092319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
For many years, carbon capture and storage (CCS) has been discussed as a technology that may make a significant contribution to achieving major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. At present, however, only two large-scale power plants capture a total of 2.4 Mt CO2/a. Several reasons are identified for this mismatch between expectations and realised deployment. Applying bibliographic coupling, the research front of CCS, understood to be published peer-reviewed papers, is explored to scrutinise whether the current research is sufficient to meet these problems. The analysis reveals that research is dominated by technical research (69%). Only 31% of papers address non-technical issues, particularly exploring public perception, policy, and regulation, providing a broader view on CCS implementation on the regional or national level, or using assessment frameworks. This shows that the research is advancing and attempting to meet the outlined problems, which are mainly non-technology related. In addition to strengthening this research, the proportion of papers that adopt a holistic approach may be increased in a bid to meet the challenges involved in transforming a complex energy system. It may also be useful to include a broad variety of stakeholders in research so as to provide a more resilient development of CCS deployment strategies.
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Jiménez N, Richnow HH, Vogt C, Treude T, Krüger M. Methanogenic Hydrocarbon Degradation: Evidence from Field and Laboratory Studies. J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 26:227-42. [PMID: 26959375 DOI: 10.1159/000441679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial transformation of hydrocarbons to methane is an environmentally relevant process taking place in a wide variety of electron acceptor-depleted habitats, from oil reservoirs and coal deposits to contaminated groundwater and deep sediments. Methanogenic hydrocarbon degradation is considered to be a major process in reservoir degradation and one of the main processes responsible for the formation of heavy oil deposits and oil sands. In the absence of external electron acceptors such as oxygen, nitrate, sulfate or Fe(III), fermentation and methanogenesis become the dominant microbial metabolisms. The major end product under these conditions is methane, and the only electron acceptor necessary to sustain the intermediate steps in this process is CO2, which is itself a net product of the overall reaction. We are summarizing the state of the art and recent advances in methanogenic hydrocarbon degradation research. Both the key microbial groups involved as well as metabolic pathways are described, and we discuss the novel insights into methanogenic hydrocarbon-degrading populations studied in laboratory as well as environmental systems enabled by novel cultivation-based and molecular approaches. Their possible implications on energy resources, bioremediation of contaminated sites, deep-biosphere research, and consequences for atmospheric composition and ultimately climate change are also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Jiménez
- Department of Resource Geochemistry, BGR - Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Hannover, Germany
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Abstract
Growth of microorganisms in environments containing CO2 above its critical point is unexpected due to a combination of deleterious effects, including cytoplasmic acidification and membrane destabilization. Thus, supercritical CO2 (scCO2) is generally regarded as a sterilizing agent. We report isolation of bacteria from three sites targeted for geologic carbon dioxide sequestration (GCS) that are capable of growth in pressurized bioreactors containing scCO2. Analysis of 16S rRNA genes from scCO2 enrichment cultures revealed microbial assemblages of varied complexity, including representatives of the genus Bacillus. Propagation of enrichment cultures under scCO2 headspace led to isolation of six strains corresponding to Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subterraneus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus safensis, and Bacillus megaterium. Isolates are spore-forming, facultative anaerobes and capable of germination and growth under an scCO2 headspace. In addition to these isolates, several Bacillus type strains grew under scCO2, suggesting that this may be a shared feature of spore-forming Bacillus spp. Our results provide direct evidence of microbial activity at the interface between scCO2 and an aqueous phase. Since microbial activity can influence the key mechanisms for permanent storage of sequestered CO2 (i.e., structural, residual, solubility, and mineral trapping), our work suggests that during GCS microorganisms may grow and catalyze biological reactions that influence the fate and transport of CO2 in the deep subsurface.
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Wilkins MJ, Hoyt DW, Marshall MJ, Alderson PA, Plymale AE, Markillie LM, Tucker AE, Walter ED, Linggi BE, Dohnalkova AC, Taylor RC. CO2 exposure at pressure impacts metabolism and stress responses in the model sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris strain Hildenborough. Front Microbiol 2014; 5:507. [PMID: 25309528 PMCID: PMC4174866 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Geologic carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration drives physical and geochemical changes in deep subsurface environments that impact indigenous microbial activities. The combined effects of pressurized CO2 on a model sulfate-reducing microorganism, Desulfovibrio vulgaris, have been assessed using a suite of genomic and kinetic measurements. Novel high-pressure NMR time-series measurements using 13C-lactate were used to track D. vulgaris metabolism. We identified cessation of respiration at CO2 pressures of 10 bar, 25 bar, 50 bar, and 80 bar. Concurrent experiments using N2 as the pressurizing phase had no negative effect on microbial respiration, as inferred from reduction of sulfate to sulfide. Complementary pressurized batch incubations and fluorescence microscopy measurements supported NMR observations, and indicated that non-respiring cells were mostly viable at 50 bar CO2 for at least 4 h, and at 80 bar CO2 for 2 h. The fraction of dead cells increased rapidly after 4 h at 80 bar CO2. Transcriptomic (RNA-Seq) measurements on mRNA transcripts from CO2-incubated biomass indicated that cells up-regulated the production of certain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine) following CO2 exposure at elevated pressures, likely as part of a general stress response. Evidence for other poorly understood stress responses were also identified within RNA-Seq data, suggesting that while pressurized CO2 severely limits the growth and respiration of D. vulgaris cells, biomass retains intact cell membranes at pressures up to 80 bar CO2. Together, these data show that geologic sequestration of CO2 may have significant impacts on rates of sulfate reduction in many deep subsurface environments where this metabolism is a key respiratory process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Wilkins
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Biological Sciences Division Richland, WA, USA ; Department of Microbiology, School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University Columbus, OH, USA
| | - David W Hoyt
- Environmental and Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, WA, USA
| | - Matthew J Marshall
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Biological Sciences Division Richland, WA, USA
| | - Paul A Alderson
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Biological Sciences Division Richland, WA, USA
| | - Andrew E Plymale
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Biological Sciences Division Richland, WA, USA
| | - L Meng Markillie
- Environmental and Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, WA, USA
| | - Abby E Tucker
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Biological Sciences Division Richland, WA, USA
| | - Eric D Walter
- Environmental and Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, WA, USA
| | - Bryan E Linggi
- Environmental and Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, WA, USA
| | - Alice C Dohnalkova
- Environmental and Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, WA, USA
| | - Ron C Taylor
- Environmental and Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, WA, USA
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