Earth science at the UK's deepest laboratory

Angelis, Sarah Henton De

doi:10.1111/gto.12190

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 4 publications

(1 reference statement)

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“…The Boulby Mine hosts the Boulby Underground Science Laboratory, which since 2005 has led research into Dark Matter and other experiments requiring low background radiation (Bettini, 2011; Murphy and Paling, 2012; Smith, 2012; De Angelis, 2017). In 2011, we assembled an underground laboratory to carry out astrobiology and space exploration research (Cockell et al , 2013).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subsurface scientific exploration of extraterrestrial environments (MINAR 5): analogue science, technology and education in the Boulby Mine, UK

Cockell

Holt

Campbell

et al. 2018

International Journal of Astrobiology

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The deep subsurface of other planetary bodies is of special interest for robotic and human exploration. The subsurface provides access to planetary interior processes, thus yielding insights into planetary formation and evolution. On Mars, the subsurface might harbour the most habitable conditions. In the context of human exploration, the subsurface can provide refugia for habitation from extreme surface conditions. We describe the fifth Mine Analogue Research (MINAR 5) programme at 1 km depth in the Boulby Mine, UK in collaboration with Spaceward Bound NASA and the Kalam Centre, India, to test instruments and methods for the robotic and human exploration of deep environments on the Moon and Mars. The geological context in Permian evaporites provides an analogue to evaporitic materials on other planetary bodies such as Mars. A wide range of sample acquisition instruments (NASA drills, Small Planetary Impulse Tool (SPLIT) robotic hammer, universal sampling bags), analytical instruments (Raman spectroscopy, Close-Up Imager, Minion DNA sequencing technology, methane stable isotope analysis, biomolecule and metabolic life detection instruments) and environmental monitoring equipment (passive air particle sampler, particle detectors and environmental monitoring equipment) was deployed in an integrated campaign. Investigations included studying the geochemical signatures of chloride and sulphate evaporitic minerals, testing methods for life detection and planetary protection around human-tended operations, and investigations on the radiation environment of the deep subsurface. The MINAR analogue activity occurs in an active mine, showing how the development of space exploration technology can be used to contribute to addressing immediate Earth-based challenges. During the campaign, in collaboration with European Space Agency (ESA), MINAR was used for astronaut familiarization with future exploration tools and techniques. The campaign was used to develop primary and secondary school and primary to secondary transition curriculum materials on-site during the campaign which was focused on a classroom extra vehicular activity simulation.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subsurface scientific exploration of extraterrestrial environments (MINAR 5): analogue science, technology and education in the Boulby Mine, UK

Cockell

Holt

Campbell

et al. 2018

International Journal of Astrobiology

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“…The Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC) Boulby Underground Laboratory (BUL) sits at approximately 1,070-1,100 m below ground surface [27,28] within Boulby mine, a potash and polyhalite mine operated by Israel Chemicals Limited, in North Yorkshire. BUL, begun in 1988, was motivated by the search for dark matter [27] and hosts experiments requiring low background radiation conditions [28][29][30][31][32]. The background activity from radionuclide contamination (gamma radiation) is particularly low (approximately 0.1 ppm of uranium and thorium and 1,130 ppm of potassium) [27].…”

Section: The Boulby Underground Laboratorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Battery Earth: using the subsurface at Boulby underground laboratory to investigate energy storage technologies

Daniels,

Harrington,

Wiseall

et al. 2023

Front. Phys.

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Renewable energy provides a low-carbon alternative to power generation in the UK. However, the resultant supply varies on daily, weekly and seasonal cycles, such that for green energies to be fully exploited new grid-scale energy storage systems must be implemented. Two pilot facilities in Germany and the United States have demonstrated the potential of the Earth as a battery to store compressed air, using off-peak surplus energy. Natural accumulations of salt (halite deposits) in the UK represent a large and untapped natural storage reservoir for compressed air with the ability to provide instantaneous green energy to meet peak demand. To realise the potential of this emerging technology, a detailed knowledge of the relationship between mechanics, chemistry and geological properties is required to optimise cavern design, storage potential and economic feasibility. The variable stresses imposed on the rock matrix by gas storage, combined with the cyclic nature of cavern pressurisation are barriers to deployment that need to be addressed to enable large-scale adoption of schemes. Well-designed field experiments are a lynchpin for advancing research in this area, especially when supported by state-of-the-art characterisation and modelling techniques. The research facility at STFC’s Boulby Underground Laboratory presents the ideal location to tackle these fundamental issues to optimise “Battery Earth”.

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“…Each stratigraphic layer was assigned a bulk density (rock and pore fluids) based upon measurements made during the original exploration, appraisal and development of the mine. Although Boulby is not intended to be a storage site for CO 2 , it was nonetheless a singularly important part of the muon tomography project because, with the support of the existing STFC Boulby Underground Laboratory at the site [13] and the assistance of the mine operators ICL-UK, we could easily place muon detectors in the mine in short boreholes drilled into the walls of the mine galleries. This could be done with ease and at low cost and detectors could be recovered.…”

Section: Muon Flux Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Passive, continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide geostorage using muon tomography

Gluyas

Thompson

Allen

et al. 2018

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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Carbon capture and storage is a transition technology from a past and present fuelled by coal, oil and gas and a planned future dominated by renewable energy sources. The technology involves the capture of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel power stations and other point sources, compression of the CO 2 into a fluid, transporting it and injecting it deep beneath the Earth's surface into depleted petroleum reservoirs and other porous formations. Once injected, the CO 2 must be monitored to ensure that it is emplaced and assimilated as planned and that none leaks back to surface. A variety of methods have been deployed to monitor the CO 2 storage site and many such methods have been adapted from oilfield practice. However, such methods are commonly indirect, episodic, require active signal generation and remain expensive throughout the monitoring period that may last for hundreds of years. A modelling framework was developed to concurrently simulate CO 2 geostorage conditions and background cosmic-ray muon tomography, in which the potential was assessed for using variations in muon attenuation, due to changes in CO 2 abundance, as a means of CO 2 detection. From this, we developed a passive, continuous monitoring method for CO 2 storage sites using muon tomography, the tools for which can be deployed during the active drilling phase (development) of the storage site. To do this, it was necessary to develop a muon detector that could be used in the hostile environment (saline, high temperature) of the well bore. A prototype detector has been built and tested at the 1.1 km deep Boulby potash mine on the northeast coast of England, supported by the existing STFC Boulby Underground Laboratory on the site. The detector is now ready to be commercialized. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Cosmic-ray muography’.

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Earth science at the UK's deepest laboratory

Cited by 5 publications

References 4 publications

Subsurface scientific exploration of extraterrestrial environments (MINAR 5): analogue science, technology and education in the Boulby Mine, UK

Subsurface scientific exploration of extraterrestrial environments (MINAR 5): analogue science, technology and education in the Boulby Mine, UK

Battery Earth: using the subsurface at Boulby underground laboratory to investigate energy storage technologies

Passive, continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide geostorage using muon tomography

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