Microbial carbonates, a potential for CO₂ capture and storage (CARBOSTOCK)

Started in october 2021

Funding: région Bourgogne Franche-Comté

Supervisor: Emmanuelle Vennin

Defended the 6 december 2024

Abstract

The exponential rise in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions into the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution has resulted in a corresponding increase in dissolved CO₂ concentrations in surface waters globally, with significant impacts on natural systems. In this context, a key question arises: Will natural carbonate systems be able to contribute to CO₂ capture and sequestration?

The aim of this thesis is to identify the parameters driving carbonate precipitation in continental systems and to quantify the potential for surface CO₂ storage in the form of calcium carbonates (CaCO₃) in both modern and fossil context. This research focuses on investigating carbonate production in two lacustrine systems: Great Basin (USA) and Lake Ilay (Jura, France), as well as four rivers fed by karstic springs: the Rhoin and Ru Blanc rivers (Côte-d’Or, France), and Baume-les-Messieurs and Marangea rivers (Jura, France). The first objective of this study is to determine the conditions driving the CaCO3 precipitation in each system by identifying the primary biotic and physico-chemical factors that control mineralization.

The second objective is to describe the processes, kinetics, and rates of carbonate production in order to assess the role of this mineralization in CO₂ capture and long-term storage.

In these various systems, carbonate production appears to result from a complex interaction between physicochemical and biological processes, with the involvement of microbial communities never excluded. The microbial influence is highlighted by the occurrence of exopolymeric substrances, whose degradation contributes to carbonate precipitation by providing calcium ions, the primary limiting reagent for this process. Furthermore, the carbonate production in certain systems appears to follow a pattern similar to the increase in carbon dioxide concentration, suggesting an active role in the capture and permanent storage of CO₂.

Keywords

microbial carbonates, lakes, rivers, controlling factors, CO₂ capture and storage

Thesis advisory panel

Jean-Francois Buoncristiani
Eric Gaucher

extrait:

lien_externe:

titre:

Les carbonates microbiens, un avenir pour la capture et le stockage du CO2 et des polluants (CARBOSTOCK)

date_de_debut_these:

octobre 2021

nom:

Boussagol

date_de_debut_these_numerique:

202110

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kc_raw_content:

Microbial carbonates, a potential for CO₂ capture and storage (CARBOSTOCK)

Started in october 2021

Funding: région Bourgogne Franche-Comté

Supervisor: Emmanuelle Vennin

Defended the 6 december 2024

 

Abstract

The exponential rise in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions into the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution has resulted in a corresponding increase in dissolved CO₂ concentrations in surface waters globally, with significant impacts on natural systems. In this context, a key question arises: Will natural carbonate systems be able to contribute to CO₂ capture and sequestration?

The aim of this thesis is to identify the parameters driving carbonate precipitation in continental systems and to quantify the potential for surface CO₂ storage in the form of calcium carbonates (CaCO₃) in both modern and fossil context. This research focuses on investigating carbonate production in two lacustrine systems: Great Basin (USA) and Lake Ilay (Jura, France), as well as four rivers fed by karstic springs: the Rhoin and Ru Blanc rivers (Côte-d’Or, France), and Baume-les-Messieurs and Marangea rivers (Jura, France). The first objective of this study is to determine the conditions driving the CaCO3 precipitation in each system by identifying the primary biotic and physico-chemical factors that control mineralization.

The second objective is to describe the processes, kinetics, and rates of carbonate production in order to assess the role of this mineralization in CO₂ capture and long-term storage.

In these various systems, carbonate production appears to result from a complex interaction between physicochemical and biological processes, with the involvement of microbial communities never excluded. The microbial influence is highlighted by the occurrence of exopolymeric substrances, whose degradation contributes to carbonate precipitation by providing calcium ions, the primary limiting reagent for this process. Furthermore, the carbonate production in certain systems appears to follow a pattern similar to the increase in carbon dioxide concentration, suggesting an active role in the capture and permanent storage of CO₂.

 

Keywords

microbial carbonates, lakes, rivers, controlling factors, CO₂ capture and storage

 

Thesis advisory panel

Jean-Francois Buoncristiani
Eric Gaucher