Artificial subsurface lithoautotrophic microbial ecosystems and gas storage in deep subsurface.

Abstract

Over the next few years, it is planned to convert all or part of the underground gas storage (UGS) facilities used for natural gas (salt caverns, depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, and deep aquifers) into underground dihydrogen (H2) storage reservoirs. These deep environments host microbial communities, some of which are hydrogenotrophic (sulfate reducers, acetogens, and methanogens). The current state of microbiological knowledge is thus presented for the three types of UGS facilities. In the mid-1990s, the concept of anaerobic subsurface lithoautotrophic microbial ecosystems, or SLiMEs, emerged. It is expected that the large-scale injection of H2 into subsurface environments will generate new microbial ecosystems called artificial SLiMEs, which could persist over time. These artificial SLiMEs could lead to H2 loss, an intense methanogenic activity, a degradation of gas quality and a risk to installations through sulfide production. However, recent studies on salt caverns and deep aquifers suggest that hydrogenotrophic microbial activity also leads to alkalinization (up to pH 10), which can constrain hydrogenotrophy. Therefore, studying and understanding these artificial SLiMEs is both a necessity for the development of the H2 industry and presents an opportunity for ecologists to monitor the evolution of deep environments in real time.