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
2016
Journal Article
Mineralogical controls on porosity and water chemistry during O2-SO2-CO2 reaction of CO2 storage reservoir and cap-rock core
Pearce, Julie K., Golab, Alexandra, Dawson, Grant, Knuefing, Lydia, Goodwin, Carley and Golding, Suzanne D. (2016). Mineralogical controls on porosity and water chemistry during O2-SO2-CO2 reaction of CO2 storage reservoir and cap-rock core. Applied Geochemistry, 75, 152-168. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.11.002
2016
Other Outputs
Weak acid leachable and total trace elements in Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation
G Dawson, J Pearce, L Turner and S Golding (2016). Weak acid leachable and total trace elements in Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation. ANLEC R&D: ANLEC R&D.
2016
Journal Article
Reactive transport in porous media for CO2 sequestration: pore scale modelling using the Lattice Boltzmann method
Gao, Jinfang, Xing, Huilin, Tian, Zhiwei, Pearce, Julie K., Sedek, Mohamed, Golding, Suzanne D. and Rudolph, Victor (2016). Reactive transport in porous media for CO2 sequestration: pore scale modelling using the Lattice Boltzmann method. Computers and Geosciences, 98, 9-20. doi: 10.1016/j.cageo.2016.09.008
2016
Journal Article
Reactivity of micas and cap-rock in wet supercritical CO2 with SO2 and O2 at CO2 storage conditions
Pearce, Julie K., Dawson, Grant K. W., Law, Alison C. K., Biddle, Dean and Golding, Suzanne D. (2016). Reactivity of micas and cap-rock in wet supercritical CO2 with SO2 and O2 at CO2 storage conditions. Applied Geochemistry, 72, 59-76. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.06.010
2016
Other Outputs
ANLEC Project 7-0314-0229: Raman Spectroscopy – detecting CO2, SOx and NOx in precipice sandstone: Milestone 1.3: Experiments and geochemical simulations of co-injection of CO2, SO2 and NO
Turner, L. G., Pearce, J. K., Golding, Sue D., Myers, G. A. and Morgan, Q. (2016). ANLEC Project 7-0314-0229: Raman Spectroscopy – detecting CO2, SOx and NOx in precipice sandstone: Milestone 1.3: Experiments and geochemical simulations of co-injection of CO2, SO2 and NO . Raman Spectroscopy – detecting CO2, SOx and NOx in precipice sandstone Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research & Development (ANLEC R&D).
2016
Other Outputs
Milestone 2.2 Final report on Project 2: Evaluation of the capability of the Downhole-Reservoir Raman System (D-RRS) to detect CO2, SOx and NOx products in Precipice Sandstone groundwater
G Myers, B Wiseman, A Cookman, Q Morgan, L Turner and J Pearce (2016). Milestone 2.2 Final report on Project 2: Evaluation of the capability of the Downhole-Reservoir Raman System (D-RRS) to detect CO2, SOx and NOx products in Precipice Sandstone groundwater. ANLEC R&D: ANLEC R&D.
2016
Other Outputs
Great Artesian Basin authigenic carbonates as natural analogues for mineralisation trapping
Golding, S.D., Dawson, G.K.W., Pearce, J.K., Farrajota, F., Mernagh, T., Boreham, C.J., Hall, L.S., Palu, T.J. and Sommacal, S. (2016). Great Artesian Basin authigenic carbonates as natural analogues for mineralisation trapping. Melbourne, Australia: Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies.
2016
Conference Publication
Metal and metalloid mobilisation and sequestration during CO2-SO2 and CO2-SO2-O2 reaction of reservoir and cap-rock cores
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W., Golding, S. D. and Kirste, D. (2016). Metal and metalloid mobilisation and sequestration during CO2-SO2 and CO2-SO2-O2 reaction of reservoir and cap-rock cores. Goldschmidt2016, Yokohama, Japan, 26 June-1 July 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Reaction of SO2 and SO2 with O2 after dissolution during benchtop experiments of CO2 storage at elevated temperature and pressure
Kirste, D., Pearce, J. K. and Golding, S. D. (2016). Reaction of SO2 and SO2 with O2 after dissolution during benchtop experiments of CO2 storage at elevated temperature and pressure. Goldschmidt2016, Yokohama, Japan, 26 June-1 July 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
The evolution of gas dissociation species during sequestration of a CO2/NO stream
Turner, L., Pearce, J. K., Myers, G. and Morgan, Q. (2016). The evolution of gas dissociation species during sequestration of a CO2/NO stream. Goldschmidt2016, Yokohama, Japan, 26 June-1 July 2016.
2015
Other Outputs
Maximising the value of digital core analysis for carbon sequestration site assessment: final report on geochemical reactivitiy studies of core material using ScCO2. Technical report for Project 7-0311-0128, Sub-project 5: undertake time series (4D) imaging and conventional experimental studies to measure geochemical reactivity and dissolution trapping capacity of core material using supercritical CO2
Golab, Alexandra, Knuefing, Lydia, Goodwin, Carley, Sommacal, Silvano, Carnerup, Anna, Dawson, Grant, Pearce, Julie and Golding, Sue (2015). Maximising the value of digital core analysis for carbon sequestration site assessment: final report on geochemical reactivitiy studies of core material using ScCO2. Technical report for Project 7-0311-0128, Sub-project 5: undertake time series (4D) imaging and conventional experimental studies to measure geochemical reactivity and dissolution trapping capacity of core material using supercritical CO2. Barton, ACT Australia: ANLEC R&D.
2015
Journal Article
SO2-CO2 and pure CO2 reactivity of ferroan carbonates at carbon storage conditions
Pearce, Julie K., Law, Alison C. K., Dawson, Grant K. W. and Golding, Suzanne D. (2015). SO2-CO2 and pure CO2 reactivity of ferroan carbonates at carbon storage conditions. Chemical Geology, 411, 112-124. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.07.001
2015
Journal Article
A fresh approach to investigating CO2 storage: Experimental CO2-water-rock interactions in a low-salinity reservoir system
Farquhar, S. M., Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W., Golab, A., Sommacal, S., Kirste, D., Biddle, D. and Golding, S. D. (2015). A fresh approach to investigating CO2 storage: Experimental CO2-water-rock interactions in a low-salinity reservoir system. Chemical Geology, 399, 98-122. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2014.10.006
2015
Journal Article
SO2 impurity impacts on experimental and simulated CO2-water–reservoir rock reactions at carbon storage conditions
Pearce, Julie K., Kirste, Dirk M., Dawson, Grant K. W., Farquhar, Susan M., Biddle, Dean, Golding, Suzanne D. and Rudolph, Victor (2015). SO2 impurity impacts on experimental and simulated CO2-water–reservoir rock reactions at carbon storage conditions. Chemical Geology, 399, 65-86. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2014.10.028
2015
Journal Article
Experimental mineral dissolution in Berea Sandstone reacted with CO2 or SO2 –CO2 in NaCl brine under CO2 sequestration conditions
Dawson, G. K. W., Pearce, J. K., Biddle, D. and Golding, S. D. (2015). Experimental mineral dissolution in Berea Sandstone reacted with CO2 or SO2 –CO2 in NaCl brine under CO2 sequestration conditions. Chemical Geology, 399, 87-97. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2014.10.005
2015
Conference Publication
Engineering CO2 storage with co-contaminants
Pearce, Julie, Dawson, Grant, Kirste, Dirke and Golding, Sue (2015). Engineering CO2 storage with co-contaminants. International Conference and Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia, 13-16 September 2015. Society of Exploration Geophysicists and American Association of Petroleum Geologists. doi: 10.1190/ice2015-2209955
2014
Other Outputs
Geochemical and geomechanical testing of near wellbore CO2 injectivity improvement: Final Report
Dawson, Grant K. W., Biddle, Dean, Farquhar, Susan, Gao, Jinfang, Golding, Suzanne D., Xu, Jiang, Keck, Ryan, Khan, Charwarwan, Law, Alison, Li, Qin, Pearce, Julie, Rudolph, Victor, Watson, Ambrose and Xing, Huilin (2014). Geochemical and geomechanical testing of near wellbore CO2 injectivity improvement: Final Report. ANLEC Project 7-1110-0101 The University of Queensland School of Earth Sciences.
2014
Conference Publication
Impurity Effects in O2-SO2-CO2-Water-Rock Reactions Relevant to CO2 Storage in the Surat Basin
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W., Kirste, D. and Golding, S. D. (2014). Impurity Effects in O2-SO2-CO2-Water-Rock Reactions Relevant to CO2 Storage in the Surat Basin. Australian Earth Sciences Convention, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 7-10 July 2014.
2014
Other Outputs
Final Report: Geochemical reactivity and dissolution trapping capacity using Supercritical CO2
Pearce, J. K., Farquhar, S. M., Dawson, G. K. W. and Golding, S. D. (2014). Final Report: Geochemical reactivity and dissolution trapping capacity using Supercritical CO2. St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: UniQuest.
2014
Other Outputs
Geochemical reactivity and dissolution trapping capacity using supercritical CO2: third milestone report
Golding, S. D., Farquhar, S. M., Pearce, J. K. and Dawson, G. K. W. (2014). Geochemical reactivity and dissolution trapping capacity using supercritical CO2: third milestone report. St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: UniQuest.
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
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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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