Multiphase flow in the subsurface carbon cycle from source to sink

Hugh Daigle (University of Texas, Austin)

Carbon often moves through the subsurface in fluid phases that are distinct from and immiscible with water. These may include methane generated by microbial activity, oil and gas generated from organic source rocks, or carbon dioxide injected into the subsurface for storage and sequestration. Many interesting and important processes happen at the interfaces between water and these carbon-bearing fluids. Understanding and potentially controlling these processes is a key component of predicting and mitigating perturbations to the global carbon cycle due to natural or anthropogenic factors. I will show how our work with methane hydrates, organic shales, and nanoparticles informs this understanding.