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Influence of drill mud on the microbial communities of sandstone rocks and well fluids at the Ketzin pilot site for CO2 storage

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Abstract

At a pilot site for CO2 storage in Ketzin (Germany), a drastic decrease in injectivity occurred in a well intended for injection. This was attributed to an obstruction of the pore throats due to microbial degradation of the organic drill mud and subsequent iron sulfide (FeS) precipitation in the highly saline brine (240 g L−1). To better understand the biogeochemical processes, the response of the autochthonous microbial community to drill mud exposure was investigated. Pristine cores of two aquifers with different salinity were incubated under simulated in situ conditions (50 bar, 40 °C and 45 bar, 25 °C, respectively) and CO2 atmosphere. For the first time, rock cores obtained from the CO2 plume of the storage formation were investigated. The influence of acetate as a biodegradation product of drill mud polymers and the effectiveness of a biocide were additionally tested. Increased microbial diversities were observed in all long-term (8–20 weeks) incubations, even including biocide. Biofilm-like structures and small round-shaped minerals of probable microbiological origin were found. The results indicate that the microbial community remains viable after long-term CO2 exposure. Microorganisms hydrolyzing cellulose polymers (e.g., Burkholderia spp., Variovorax spp.) biodegraded organic components of the drill mud and most likely produced low molecular weight acids. Although the effects of drill mud were less strong as observed in situ, it was demonstrated that acetate supports the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria (i.e., Desulfotomaculum spp.). The microbial-induced precipitation of amorphous FeS reduced the injectivity in the near-well area. Therefore, when using organic drill mud, the well must be cleaned intensively to minimize the hazards of bacterial stimulation.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all partners in the Ketzin projects and CO2 storage center for their continued support and contributions. Dr. Stephanie Lerm and Dr. Hannah Halm are acknowledged for critical reading of the manuscript. This research was funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research within the Geotechnologien program in the framework of CO2MAN (CO2 Reservoir Management 03G0760A-F) and within the H2STORE (hydrogen to store 03SF0434B) projects.

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  1. Section 5.3 Geomicrobiology, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473, Potsdam, Germany

    Linda Pellizzari, Tobias Lienen, Monika Kasina & Hilke Würdemann

  2. Institute of Geological Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-063, Kraków, Poland

    Monika Kasina

  3. Department of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Merseburg University of Applied Sciences, 06217, Merseburg, Germany

    Hilke Würdemann

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  1. Linda Pellizzari
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Correspondence to Hilke Würdemann.

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This article is part of a Topical Collection in Environmental Earth Sciences on ‘Subsurface Energy storage.’ Guest edited by Sebastian Bauer, Andreas Dahmke and Olaf Kolditz.

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Pellizzari, L., Lienen, T., Kasina, M. et al. Influence of drill mud on the microbial communities of sandstone rocks and well fluids at the Ketzin pilot site for CO2 storage. Environ Earth Sci 76, 77 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-6381-z

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