Full picture of the chemical composition of potential fluids leaking from geological CO2 storage reservoirs to shallow environments; a review

Despite measures to ensure containment, there is a risk of CO₂ leakage from Carbon Capture and geological Storage (CCS) reservoirs. Other than the environmental impacts of pure CO₂, it is essential to understand the full composition of the fluids reaching shallow and surface environments. The captured CO₂ may contain impurities that are directly toxic for living organisms (e.g., CO, H₂S, SO_x, and NO_x) before injection. Chemicals such as hydrocarbons or previously injected biocides and surfactants in depleted hydrocarbon fields may accompany the CO₂ leaking from a repurposed depleted hydrocarbon reservoir. Upon dissolution in water, CO₂ and some of the injected impurities alter the pH of water and trigger geochemical reactions, mobilizing or immobilizing harmful chemicals (e.g., trace metals) in the leaking brine. Finally, microbial activity in the storage reservoir or along the leakage pathways may produce or consume potentially harmful chemicals (e.g., H₂S and CH₄). There are several important yet underexplored research areas in this context. These include the potential of well cement in releasing trace elements under acidified conditions, coupled toxic impacts of different chemicals, the capacity of overburden in neutralization of the leakage, and lack of field experiments that use realistic compositions of leaking fluids instead of pure CO₂. This article shows how the impacts of a potential leakage from CCS reservoirs on the ecology of shallow and surface environments is more significant than our current understanding. Future modelling and experimental efforts must consider the full composition of potential leakage events for realistic environmental risk assessments.