Overview
Background
Julie’s research is mainly focussed on gas-water-rock core reactivity at reservoir conditions using experimental, field, and geochemical modelling techniques. Recent projects have been in the application of carbon dioxide geological storage in which CO2 is captured and stored in formations generally contained by low permeability cap-rock. The safe containment of the injected CO2 and the potential changes to rock porosity, permeability, and water quality should be determined. Recent and current projects with a focus on a demonstration site in the Surat Basin (Precipice Sandstone) include the impacts of impurity or acid gases present in industrial CO2 streams (collaboration with D. Kirste, SFU), inducing carbonate precipitation (in collaboration with S. Golding), and understanding dissolved metal sources and fate. Julie has also worked closely with the CO2CRC, CTSCo, Glencore, SEAL, the NSW government, CI-NSW, and ANLEC R&D, and provided expert opinion to the Queensland Government, and input to Environmental Impacts Assessments.
Julie is currently working with landholders, the QLD regional government, RDMW, councils and industry to understand the sources of methane in aquifers of the Great Artesian Basin, especailly those overlying coal seam gas reservoirs (CSG) (with Arrow Energy, SANTOS, APLNG, H. Hoffman, K, Baublys).
Other projects include gas-water-rock or acid-rock reactivity that modify nano-porosity and gas flow in gas or oil bearing shales.
Julie Pearce graduated with an MCHEM (Hons) degree in Chemistry from the University of York, UK. She then moved to the University of Bristol to complete a Ph.D. in 2007 focusing on laser spectroscopic studies to understand the detailed reaction dynamics of atmospheric processes. From 2007 – 2009 she accepted a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship, hosted at Nagoya University, Japan. There she measured delta 13C and delta 18O isotopic signatures of CO2 simultaneously in real time in the atmosphere using a laser spectroscopic technique to understand anthropogenic and biogenic sources of CO2. After taking a career break to travel in 15 countries in Asia, she moved to Brisbane in 2010 where she is enjoying the surrounding natural beauty of Queensland.
Availability
- Dr Julie Pearce is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Masters (Coursework), The University of York
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Bristol
Research interests
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CO2 storage and impurity gases
Geochemistry and geomechanical effects
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Reaction dynamics
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CO2 gas phase isotopologues in indentification of anthropogenic CO2
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Wet sueprcritical CO2 phase reactions in CO2 storage
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Shale gas stimulation
Research impacts
Carbon dioxide capture and geological storage has been validated by the IPCC as a measure to mitigate climate change. For the technology to be deployed on a large-scale, its viability in terms of the containment of the injected CO2 and the long-term safety needs to be determined. Julie is researching the effects of storage of co-contaminants which will be present in industrial CO2 streams on mineral and reservoir rock reactions.
Fugative methane causes issues for landholders when it migrates to bores, and for global warming when released to atmosphere. However methane is also generated naturally by microbes. Understanding the sources of methane in the Great Artesian Basin aquifers and alluvium is important for environmental and social licence.
A new reaction rig has been constructed at UQ specifically to withstand reactive co-contaminant gases, and simulate the high pressure / temperature conditions (~200 bar and 80°C) of CO2 geological storage. Reservoir rock reactions with the co-contaminant SO2 have indicated up to ~ 20 x reactivity than with pure CO2 and indicate potential for enhanced CO2 mineral trapping. This is in collaboration with Prof. Sue Golding, and Prof. Victor Rudolph, Julie also uses geochemical modelling in collaboration with A/Prof. Dirk Kirste of SFU, Canada, these projects are funded by the Collaborative Research Council for Greenhouse Gas Technology (CO2CRC).
Julie is also investigating the reactivity of the water saturated supercritical CO2 phase to clays and cap-rock. Initial results indicate enhanced precipitation of new phases which may self-seal cap-rock fractures.
Additionally teaching into CHEM 1090 Introductory Chemistry.
Works
Search Professor Julie Pearce’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Geochemical tracers associated with methane in aquifers overlying a coal seam gas reservoir
Pearce, J.K., Hofmann, H., Baublys, K., Cendón, D.I., Golding, S.D., Herbert, S.J., Bhebhe, Z., Nguyen, A. and Hayes, P. (2024). Geochemical tracers associated with methane in aquifers overlying a coal seam gas reservoir. International Journal of Coal Geology, 289 104535, 104535. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2024.104535
2023
Journal Article
Impure CO2 storage reactions of sandstone, mudstone and carbonate cemented cores: experimental CO2 SO2 NOX O2 reaction metal mobilisation and fate
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. W., Brink, F., Southam, G., Paterson, D., Hall, N., Heath, R., Greer, D., Kirste, D. and Golding, S. D. (2023). Impure CO2 storage reactions of sandstone, mudstone and carbonate cemented cores: experimental CO2 SO2 NOX O2 reaction metal mobilisation and fate. International Journal of Coal Geology, 277 104352, 104352. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2023.104352
2023
Journal Article
Methane in aquifers and alluvium overlying a coal seam gas region: gas concentrations and isotopic differentiation
Pearce, J.K., Golding, S.D., Baublys, K., Hofmann, H., Gargiulo, G., Herbert, S.J. and Hayes, P. (2023). Methane in aquifers and alluvium overlying a coal seam gas region: gas concentrations and isotopic differentiation. Science of the Total Environment, 861 160639, 1-18. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160639
2023
Journal Article
Sources and concentrations of methane, ethane, and CO2 in deep aquifers of the Surat Basin, Great Artesian Basin
Pearce, J.K., Hofmann, H., Baublys, K., Golding, S.D., Rodger, I. and Hayes, P. (2023). Sources and concentrations of methane, ethane, and CO2 in deep aquifers of the Surat Basin, Great Artesian Basin. International Journal of Coal Geology, 265 104162, 1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2022.104162
2024
Journal Article
Multi-tracer approach to constrain groundwater flow and geochemical baseline assessments for CO2 sequestration in deep sedimentary basins
Hofmann, Harald, Pearce, Julie K., Hayes, Phil, Golding, Sue D., Hall, Nick, Baublys, Kim A., Raiber, Matthias and Suckow, Axel (2024). Multi-tracer approach to constrain groundwater flow and geochemical baseline assessments for CO2 sequestration in deep sedimentary basins. International Journal of Coal Geology, 282 104438, 104438. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2023.104438
2023
Conference Publication
Methods for differentiating methane and carbon dioxide sources in aquifers overlying gas reservoirs or associated with CO2 storage sites
Pearce, J. K., Hofmann, H., Baublys, K., Golding, S. D., Fifield, K., Herbert, S. J., Bhebhe, Z., Matthews, I., Moser, A. and Hayes, P. (2023). Methods for differentiating methane and carbon dioxide sources in aquifers overlying gas reservoirs or associated with CO2 storage sites. APUR 2023: Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Symposium,, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 14-15 November 2023. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/217301-ms
2023
Journal Article
Cooper Basin REM gas shales after CO2 storage or acid reactions: metal mobilisation and methane accessible pore changes
Pearce, J. K., Blach, T., Dawson, G. K. W., Southam, G., Paterson, D. J., Golding, S. D., Bahadur, J., Melnichenko, Y. B. and Rudolph, V. (2023). Cooper Basin REM gas shales after CO2 storage or acid reactions: metal mobilisation and methane accessible pore changes. International Journal of Coal Geology, 273 104271, 104271. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2023.104271
2023
Conference Publication
Assessing geochemical reactivity during CO2 geological storage: an example from the Surat Basin
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W., Golding, S. D., Kirste, D., Southam, G., Paterson, D., Brink, F. and Rudolph, V. (2023). Assessing geochemical reactivity during CO2 geological storage: an example from the Surat Basin. Australasian Exploration Geosciences Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 13-18 March 2023. West End, QLD Australia: Arinex.
2023
Other Outputs
ANLEC Project 7-0320-C323 Final Report: South Surat metal mobilisation and fate of heavy metals released
Dawson, Grant K. W., Kirste, Dirk M., Pearce, Julie K. and Golding, Suzanne D. (2023). ANLEC Project 7-0320-C323 Final Report: South Surat metal mobilisation and fate of heavy metals released. Barton, ACT, Australia: Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development. (ANLEC R&D).
2022
Conference Publication
Finding the edge: Assessing inter-basin connectivity between the Surat and Clarence-Moreton basins with environmental tracers to define the eastern margin of the Great Artesian Basin
Hofmann, Harald, Raiber, Matthias, Pearce, Julie, Hayes, Phil, Suckow, Axel, Cendon, Dioni, Rodger, Iain and Golding, Sue (2022). Finding the edge: Assessing inter-basin connectivity between the Surat and Clarence-Moreton basins with environmental tracers to define the eastern margin of the Great Artesian Basin. Australian Groundwater Conference, Perth, WA Australia, 21-23 November 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
From old data, new understanding: Advancing conceptualisation of Surat Basin basal GAB aquifers using historical oil and gas data and exploratory modelling
Rodger, Iain, Hayes, Phil, Hofmann, Harald, Pearce, Julie and Golding, Sue (2022). From old data, new understanding: Advancing conceptualisation of Surat Basin basal GAB aquifers using historical oil and gas data and exploratory modelling. Australian Groundwater Conference, Perth, WA Australia, 21-23 November 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
CO2 geological storage in the southern Surat Basin: assessing CO2-water-rock reactivity
Pearce, J.K., Dawson, G.K.W., Golding, S.D., Kirste, D., Southam, G., Paterson, D., Brink, F. and Rudolph, V. (2022). CO2 geological storage in the southern Surat Basin: assessing CO2-water-rock reactivity. Australian Groundwater Conference, Perth, WA Australia, 21-24 November 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
Greenhouse gases in deep Great Artesian Basin aquifers
Pearce, J., Hofmann, H., Golding, S., Hayes, P., Baublys, K. and Rodger, I. (2022). Greenhouse gases in deep Great Artesian Basin aquifers. Australasian Groundwater Conference, Perth, WA Australia, 21-24 November 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
Measuring methane concentrations and isotopic tracers in alluvium and aquifers overlying a coal seam methane reservoir
Pearce, J. K., Baublys, K. A., Golding, S. D., Hofmann, H., Cendon, D., Herbert, S.J., Gargiulo, G. and Hayes, P. J. (2022). Measuring methane concentrations and isotopic tracers in alluvium and aquifers overlying a coal seam methane reservoir. Australasian Environmental Isotope Conference, Ballina, NSW Australia, 13-17 November 2022.
2022
Journal Article
Methane in aquifers and alluvium overlying a coal seam gas region: sampling comparison of concentrations and isotopic differentiation
Pearce, Julie, Golding, Suzanne D., Baublys, Kim A., Hofmann, Harald, Gargiulo, Grazia, Herbert, St John and Hayes, Phil J. (2022). Methane in aquifers and alluvium overlying a coal seam gas region: sampling comparison of concentrations and isotopic differentiation. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4231296
2022
Conference Publication
CO2 geological storage in the Surat Basin
Pearce, Julie (2022). CO2 geological storage in the Surat Basin. PESA Symposium QLD 2022, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 9 September 2022. Beaumaris, VIC Australia: Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia. doi: 10.36404/depi2461
2022
Journal Article
Sources and concentrations of methane, ethane, and Co2 in deep aquifers of the Surat Basin, Great Artesian Basin
Pearce, Julie, Hofmann, Harald, Baublys, Kim A., Golding, Suzanne D., Rodger, Iain and Hayes, Phil J. (2022). Sources and concentrations of methane, ethane, and Co2 in deep aquifers of the Surat Basin, Great Artesian Basin. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4197924
2022
Journal Article
CO2 and NOx reactions with CO2 storage reservoir core: NOx dissolution products and mineral reactions
Turner, Luc, Dawson, Grant K. W., Golding, Suzanne D. and Pearce, Julie K. (2022). CO2 and NOx reactions with CO2 storage reservoir core: NOx dissolution products and mineral reactions. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 120 103750, 1-20. doi: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2022.103750
2022
Journal Article
Metal mobilization from CO2 storage cap-rocks: experimental reactions with pure CO2 or CO2 SO2 NO
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. W., Southam, G., Paterson, D., Kirste, D. and Golding, S. D. (2022). Metal mobilization from CO2 storage cap-rocks: experimental reactions with pure CO2 or CO2 SO2 NO. Frontiers in Energy Research, 10 873813, 1-21. doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2022.873813
2022
Conference Publication
Concurrent 5. Presentation for: Multiple tracers for dis-connectivity of shallow aquifers, alluvium, and coal seam gas wells in the Great Artesian Basin
Pearce, J. K. (2022). Concurrent 5. Presentation for: Multiple tracers for dis-connectivity of shallow aquifers, alluvium, and coal seam gas wells in the Great Artesian Basin. APPEA 2022, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 17-19 May 2022. Clayton, VIC, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. doi: 10.1071/aj21315
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Julie Pearce is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Safe geological storage of carbon dioxide to reach net zero
Underground carbon storage is one way to remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere and mitigate climate change. Understanding any impacts or risks to protect groundwater in overlying aquifers relied on by regional communities is a vital challenge.
The candidate has the opportunity to focus on one of two areas (or a combination):
- Understanding the hydrochemistry of shallow Great Artesian Basin aquifers in Surat Basin. This will involve field sampling for groundwater and gases, with state-of-the-art isotope and geochemical tracer characterisation. or
- Understanding potential geochemical markers of carbon dioxide leakage to aquifers. This will involve laboratory-based CO2-water-rock experiments, including geochemical water and rock characterisation and modelling
This is an Earmarked scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Reservoir characterisation in the southern Denison Trough for carbon dioxide storage
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle
Completed supervision
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
CO2-water-rock interactions in low-salinity reservoir systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding, Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Julie Pearce directly for media enquiries about:
- CO2 storage
- gas-water-rock reactions
- geochemistry
- geosequestration
- methane in aquifers
- mineralogy
- sequestration
- shale
- water quality
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