Integrative assessment of sediment quality in acidification scenarios associated with carbon capture and storage operations

Abstract

Efforts to stem global change include the application of new technological developments that aim to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) through the carbon capture and storage (CCS) of this greenhouse gas in stable geological structures. In this paper, we assess the potential risks related to the application of CCS technology and the acidification of aquatic ecosystems through CO2 enrichment. We use the multiple lines of evidence approach (LOEs) to characterize the effects of the acidification with contamination in aquatic sediments. We highlight and discuss the effects of acidification on the LOEs including contamination and mobility of contaminants in sediments, toxicity, macrobenthic community structure, in situ effects, and bioaccumulation–biomagnification processes. We further assess the results of acidification on the toxicity of organic contaminants such as antibiotics or illicit drugs like the freebase form of cocaine (crack). The main goal of using the LOE approach is to distinguish between adverse effects that are associated with contaminants and those related to acidification by enrichment of CO2 as a result of CCS technology. Previous assessments were not designed or conducted to incorporate an integrative point of view, nor did they employ a weight of evidence approach (WOE) in risk characterization and management of CCS operations and other situations related to acidification by enrichment of CO2 in the aquatic ecosystem. Based on the findings of this review, the WOE can identify the effects of the acidification on the different LOEs used for sediment quality: contaminant mobility, the adverse effects in organism under laboratory and field conditions, and the bioaccumulation–biomagnification of contaminants. The main strength in using the WOE is the ability of this method to discriminate between LOE responses associated with contamination by different organic and inorganic substances from those related to CO2 acidification itself. The WOE will significantly improve the risk assessment in areas affected by potential leakages of CO2 during CCS operations.

Distinct Solvation Structures of CO2 and SO2 in Reline and Ethaline Deep Eutectic Solvents Revealed by AIMD Simulations

“…Sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), another greenhouse gas, is one of the main constituents responsible for acid deposition, which has adverse effects on materials, natural resources, and human health . In the past, in order to mitigate the emission of CO 2 and SO 2 gases, researchers have put forth enormous effort for the development of various technologies to capture them. − The most efficient and commonly used industrial technique to capture CO 2 is amine-based postcombustion CO 2 capture. , However, this technique has several drawbacks like amine degradation, equipment corrosion, and environmental issues. − Similarly, to mitigate SO 2 emission, most industrial processes use the wet limestone flue gas desulfurization technique. , However, this method is irreversible and leads to unwanted byproducts. , Therefore, the search for a superior method to overcome the drawbacks of conventional methods − led the researchers toward the use of novel materials such ionic liquids (ILs). − Owing to their unique properties, − ILs exhibited significant gas separation propensity. , Although gas absorption by ILs is a reversible process , with no side products, ILs are barely used in industries for gas capturing on a large scale because of their high production cost and low absorption capacity. , Recently, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as alternative media for capturing gases − because of their biodegradable nature, ease of preparation, and lower cost of the starting materials. − DESs are commonly referred to as IL analogs because they share similar properties such as tunable character, high thermal stability, and low vapor pressure along with some new improved properties like biodegradability and low toxicity. − ...…”

Integrative Assessment of Sediments Affected by CO2 Enrichment: A Case Study in the Bay of Santos—SP, Brazil

“…Recent studies have evaluated the relationship between decrease in seawater pH, adverse effects on marine organisms, and changes in the metal concentrations [7,8,[18][19][20][21][22][23]. However, none of these studies have been designed or applied under an integrative point of view using multiples lines of evidence as recommended by [24].…”

Climate change mitigation effects: How do potential CO2 leaks from a sub-seabed storage site in the Norwegian Sea affect Astarte sp. bivalves?

“…In this sense, mobilization may not only be a function of pH, but may be influenced by the type, and the geochemical composition of the sediment. Therefore, a range of gradients of pH and sediment types are essential to determine risk assessment (DelValls et al, 2019).…”