Subsurface Environmental Modelling Between Science And Policy

This book provides a broad overview of essential features of subsurface environmental modelling at the science-policy interface, offering insights into the potential challenges in the field of subsurface flow and transport, as well as the corresponding computational modelling and its impact on the area of policy- and decision-making. The book is divided into two parts: Part I presents models, methods and software at the science-policy interface. Building on this, Part II illustrates the specifications using detailed case studies of subsurface environmental modelling. It also includes a systematic research overview and discusses the anthropogenic use of the subsurface, with a particular focus on energy-related technologies, such as carbon sequestration, geothermal technologies, fluid and energy storage, nuclear waste disposal, and unconventional oil and gas recovery.

Until recently, focus on groundwater mainly concerned its use as drinking water and as an important resource for industry (e.g. cooling waters) and agriculture (irrigation). It has, however, become increasingly obvious that groundwater should not only be viewed as a drinking water reservoir, but that it should also be protected for its environmental value. In this respect, groundwater represents an important link of the hydrological cycle through the maintenance of wetlands and river flows, acting as a buffer through dry periods. Hence, deterioration of groundwater quality may directly affect other related aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The groundwater legislative framework under the EU Water Framework Directive and the newly adopted Groundwater Directive establishes criteria linked to environmental objectives which have to be met by 2015 following successive operational steps including characterisation, risk assessment (analysis of pressures and impacts), monitoring and design of programmes of measures. These milestones require that sound technical and scientific information be made accessible to water managers, which is so far still not sufficiently streamlined. In this context, this book describes the groundwater legislative milestones and presents series of research and development activities that aim to directly support them. It has, therefore, the ambition to become a vehicle liaising policy requirements and available scientific knowledge in this area.

Nanotechnology for CO2 Utilization in Oilfield Applications delivers a critical reference for petroleum and reservoir engineers to learn the latest advancements of combining the use of CO2 and nanofluids to lower carbon footprint. Starting with the existing chemical and physical methods employed for synthesizing nanofluids, the reference moves into the scalability and fabrication techniques given for all the various nanofluids currently used in oilfield applications. This is followed by various, relevant characterization techniques. Advancing on, the reference covers nanofluids used in drilling, cementing, and EOR fluids, including their challenges and implementation problems associated with the use of nanofluids. Finally, the authors discuss the combined application of CO2 and nanofluids, listing challenges and benefits of CO2, such as carbonation capacity of nanofluids via rheological analysis for better CO2 utilization. Supported by visual world maps on CCS sites and case studies across the industry, this book gives today’s engineers a much-needed tool to lower emissions. Covers applications for the scalability and reproducibility of fabrication techniques for various nanofluids used in the oilfield, including visual world maps that showcase current stages and future CCS sites Helps readers understand CO2 case studies for subsurface applications, including CO2 injection into depleted reservoirs Provides knowledge on the existing challenges and hazards involved in CO2 for safer utilization

The discipline of Integrated Environmental Modelling (IEM) has developed in order to solve complex environmental problems, for example understanding the impacts of climate change on the physical environment. IEM provides methods to fuse or link models together, this in turn requires facilities to make models discoverable and also to make the outputs of modelling easily visualized. The vision and challenges for IEM going forward are summarized by leading proponents. Several case studies describe the application of model fusion to a range of real-world problems including integrating groundwater and recharge models within the UK Environment Agency, and the development of ‘catastrophe’ models to predict better the impact of natural hazards. Communicating modelling results to end users who are often not specialist modellers is also an emerging area of research addressed within the volume. Also included are papers that highlight current developments of the technology platforms underpinning model fusion.

This book describes a major method in modeling the flow of water and transport of solutes in the subsurface, a subject of considerable interest in the exploitation and preservation of water resources. The stochastic approach allows the uncertainty that affects various properties and parameters to be incorporated in models of subsurface flow and transport. These much more realistic models are of greater use in, for example, modeling the transport and buildup of contaminants in groundwater. The book is a valuable reference work for graduate students, research workers and professionals in government and public institutions, and for those interested in hydrology, environmental issues, soil physics, petroleum engineering, geological engineering and applied mathematics.

Advances in Subsurface Contamination of Porous Media: Indicators, Processes and Modelling provides a high level understanding of the processes concerning common and emergent contaminants through their passage from soil to groundwater. The book presents new methodologies and indicators to reach a better understanding of biogeochemical processes as a basis for environmental models. The combined use of the understanding of processes and models’ prognosis will inform researches and water managers and will provide the possibility for better management and preservation of water resources. The book will be a valuable reference for graduate students, researchers and professionals in government and public institutions, and for those interested in soil and groundwater contamination in various aspects.

This textbook presents the timeless basic physical and mathematical principles and philosophy of environmental modeling to students who need to be taught how to think in a different way than they would for more narrowly-defined engineering or physics problems. Examples come from a range of hydrologic, atmospheric, and geophysical problems.

This book represents the first comprehensive reference volume available on subsurface transport and fate processes. The volume is organized into four sections covering the basics of contaminant properties and how they affect transport and fate, the fundamental processes affecting subsurface transport and fate of contaminants, applications of transport and fate information to various contaminant types, and utilization of transport and fate information for predicting contaminant behavior. Specific topics such as traditional hydrodynamic processes of advection and dispersion, facilitated transport and contaminant flushing, and individual ground water contaminants are also explored in detail. Subsurface Transport and Fate Processes is ideal for environmental and ground water consultants, regulatory agency personnel, and educators in geology, hydrogeology, civil engineering, and environmental engineering.