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
2021
Journal Article
Gas sources and concentrations in Surat Basin shallow aquifers: a field sampling method comparison, and isotopic study
Pearce, J. K., Golding, S. D., Hayes, P., Baublys, K. A., Hofmann, H., Herbert, S. J. and Gargiulo, G. (2021). Gas sources and concentrations in Surat Basin shallow aquifers: a field sampling method comparison, and isotopic study. The APPEA Journal, 61 (2), 707-713. doi: 10.1071/aj20061
2021
Conference Publication
Trace metal mobility during CO2- SO2-NO-O2 storage
Kirste, Dirk, Pearce, Julie, Dawson, Grant and Golding, Suzanne (2021). Trace metal mobility during CO2- SO2-NO-O2 storage. Goldschmidt 2021, Virtual, 4-9 July 2021. France: European Association of Geochemistry. doi: 10.7185/gold2021.7793
2020
Journal Article
Quantifying and modelling the effects of pre-existing basement faults on folding of overlying strata in the Surat Basin, Australia: Implications for fault seal potential
He, Jianhua, La Croix, Andrew D., Gonzalez, Sebastian, Pearce, Julie, Ding, Wenlong, Underschultz, Jim R. and Garnett, Andrew (2020). Quantifying and modelling the effects of pre-existing basement faults on folding of overlying strata in the Surat Basin, Australia: Implications for fault seal potential. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 198 108207, 108207. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2020.108207
2020
Other Outputs
Hydrogeology of the Southern Surat Basin: memo report 2
Rodger, I., Pearce, J., Hofmann, H., Golding, S. and Hayes, P. (2020). Hydrogeology of the Southern Surat Basin: memo report 2. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research & Development (ANLEC R&D).
2020
Other Outputs
ANLEC Project 7-0919-0320 Progress report: groundwater geochemistry of the Moolayember Formation
Dawson, G. K. W., Pearce, J. K., Kirste, D. M., Biddle, D. and Golding, S. D. (2020). ANLEC Project 7-0919-0320 Progress report: groundwater geochemistry of the Moolayember Formation. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research & Development (ANLEC R&D).
2020
Conference Publication
Geochemical Modelling from Benchtop to Field Scale
Kirste, D., Volden, L., Pearce, J., Dawson, G. and Golding, S. (2020). Geochemical Modelling from Benchtop to Field Scale. Goldschmidt Virtual 2020, Virtual, 21-26 June 2020. Washington, DC USA: Geochemical Society. doi: 10.46427/gold2020.1327
2020
Conference Publication
A sequential extraction method for evaluating rock-hosted elements at conditions relevant to CO2 geo-sequestration
Dawson, G. K. W., Pearce, J. K., Kirste, D. and Golding, S. D. (2020). A sequential extraction method for evaluating rock-hosted elements at conditions relevant to CO2 geo-sequestration. Goldschmidt Virtual 2020, Virtual, 21-26 June 2020. Washington, DC USA: Geochemical Society. doi: 10.46427/gold2020.532
2020
Conference Publication
Characterisation of Surat Basin Walloon interburden and overlying Springbok Sandstone: a focus on methane adsorption isotherms, permeability and gas content
Raza, Syed Shabbar, Pearce, Julie, Shukla, Pradeep, Hayes, Phil and Rudolph, Victor (2020). Characterisation of Surat Basin Walloon interburden and overlying Springbok Sandstone: a focus on methane adsorption isotherms, permeability and gas content. APPEA Conference and Exhibition, Unknown, Unknown. Clayton, VIC Australia: CSIRO Publishing. doi: 10.1071/aj19078
2020
Journal Article
Long term reactivity of CO2 in a low salinity reservoir-seal complex
Pearce, J. K., La Croix, A. D., Underschultz, J. R. and Golding, S. D. (2020). Long term reactivity of CO2 in a low salinity reservoir-seal complex. Applied Geochemistry, 114 104529, 104529. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2020.104529
2019
Journal Article
Enhancing geological and hydrogeological understanding of the Precipice Sandstone aquifer of the Surat Basin, Great Artesian Basin, Australia, through model inversion of managed aquifer recharge datasets
Hayes, Phil, Nicol, Chris, La Croix, Andrew D., Pearce, Julie, Gonzalez, Sebastian, Wang, Jiahao, Harfoush, Ahmed, He, Jianhua, Moser, Andrew, Helm, Lauren, Morris, Ryan and Gornall, David (2019). Enhancing geological and hydrogeological understanding of the Precipice Sandstone aquifer of the Surat Basin, Great Artesian Basin, Australia, through model inversion of managed aquifer recharge datasets. Hydrogeology Journal, 28 (1), 175-192. doi: 10.1007/s10040-019-02079-9
2019
Journal Article
Experimental and modelled reactions of CO2 and SO2 with core from a low salinity aquifer overlying a target CO2 storage complex
Pearce, Julie K., Dawson, Grant K. W., Sommacal, Silvano and Golding, Suzanne D. (2019). Experimental and modelled reactions of CO2 and SO2 with core from a low salinity aquifer overlying a target CO2 storage complex. Geosciences, 9 (12) 513, 513. doi: 10.3390/geosciences9120513
2019
Conference Publication
Metal mobilisation and sequestration with CO2 stream injection in the Precipice Sandstone: Experimental data input for a reactive transport model
Pearce, J., Kirste, D., Dawson, G., Southam, G., Paterson, D., Golding, S. and Brink, F. (2019). Metal mobilisation and sequestration with CO2 stream injection in the Precipice Sandstone: Experimental data input for a reactive transport model. Australian Groundwater Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 24-27 November 2019.
2019
Other Outputs
ANLEC Project 7-1116-0295: Interaction of CO2 saturated groundwater with Moolayember Formation lithologies
Dawson, G. K. W., Pearce, J. K., Biddle, D. and Golding, S. D. (2019). ANLEC Project 7-1116-0295: Interaction of CO2 saturated groundwater with Moolayember Formation lithologies. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development (ANLEC R&D).
2019
Journal Article
Geochemical modelling of experimental O2–SO2–CO2 reactions of reservoir, cap-rock, and overlying cores
Pearce, Julie K., Kirste, Dirk M., Dawson, Grant K. W., Rudolph, Victor and Golding, Suzanne D. (2019). Geochemical modelling of experimental O2–SO2–CO2 reactions of reservoir, cap-rock, and overlying cores. Applied Geochemistry, 109 104400, 104400. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2019.104400
2019
Other Outputs
Core data analysis
Harfoush, Ahmed, Pearce, Julie and Wolhuter, Alexandra (2019). Core data analysis. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2019
Other Outputs
Flow modelling of the managed aquifer recharge areas
Sedaghat, Mohammad, Pearce, Julie, Underschultz, Jim and Hayes, Phil (2019). Flow modelling of the managed aquifer recharge areas. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2019
Other Outputs
Mineralogy, geochemical CO2-water-rock reactions and associated characterisation
Pearce, Julie, Underschultz, Jim and La Croix, Andrew (2019). Mineralogy, geochemical CO2-water-rock reactions and associated characterisation. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2019
Journal Article
Interaction of dissolved CO2, SOx and NOx with the Moolayember Formation underlying the Precipice Sandstone
Pearce, Julie, Dawson, Grant and Golding, Suzanne (2019). Interaction of dissolved CO2, SOx and NOx with the Moolayember Formation underlying the Precipice Sandstone. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3366101
2019
Other Outputs
Weak acid leachable and total trace elements in Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation
Golding, S., Pearce, J., Dawson, G. and Kirste, D. (2019). Weak acid leachable and total trace elements in Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation. ANLEC R&D: ANLEC R&D.
2019
Conference Publication
Reactive transport modelling of geological storage of CO2 with impurities: lessons learned
Kirste, D., Pearce, J. and Golding, S. (2019). Reactive transport modelling of geological storage of CO2 with impurities: lessons learned. 14th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, GHGT-14, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 21-25 October 2018 . Rochester, NY, United States: SSRN.
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
Geological characterisation of the southern Denison Trough for CO2 sequestration
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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