Review: The potential impact of underground geological storage of carbon dioxide in deep saline aquifers on shallow groundwater resources

Underground geological storage of CO₂ in deep saline aquifers is considered for reducing greenhouse gases emissions into the atmosphere. However, some issues were raised with regard to the potential hazards to shallow groundwater resources from CO₂ leakage, brine displacement and pressure build-up. An overview is provided of the current scientific knowledge pertaining to the potential impact on shallow groundwater resources of geological storage of CO₂ in deep saline aquifers, identifying knowledge gaps for which original research opportunities are proposed. Two main impacts are defined and discussed therein: the near-field impact due to the upward vertical migration of free-phase CO₂ to surficial aquifers, and the far-field impact caused by large-scale displacement of formation waters by the injected CO₂. For the near-field, it is found that numerical studies predict possible mobilization of trace elements but concentrations are rarely above the maximum limit for potable water. For the far-field, numerical studies predict only minor impacts except for some specific geological conditions such as high caprock permeability. Despite important knowledge gaps, the possible environmental impacts of geological storage of CO₂ in deep saline aquifers on shallow groundwater resources appears to be low, but much more work is required to evaluate site specific impacts.