Cyberinfrastructure for collaborative geologic carbon sequestration research: a conceptual model

Abstract

This paper describes the design and development of a conceptual framework for creating and implementing a cyberinfrastructure model to support interdisciplinary science associated with geologic carbon sequestration at the University of Wyoming. “Cyberinfrastructure” is a term increasingly used within the scientific community to represent information infrastructure networks connecting technology, data, and people to support research activities and the dissemination of its results. In this study, a cyberinfrastructure was designed for a multi-team, multi-task project case study centered on carbon sequestration research in the Moxa Arch, Wyoming. The design was based on a needs assessment conducted to identify information technology practices and requirements for each science team, resulting in a prototype carbon capture and storage knowledgebase workflow model. Major components of the workflow model include social networking functionality and geographic information system–based data management and visualization. The long-term goal of the effort is to build a cyberinfrastructure that fosters and enhances collaboration across research involved with geologic characterization, reservoir modeling, and long-term monitoring of geologic sequestration activities in Wyoming and throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.