Microbial succession following a simulated CO2 leakage into a shallow aquifer. groundwater metagenome

This project aimed to understand the alterations that would occur to the microbial community in a shallow drinking water aquifer after exposure to CO2 leakage from carbon sequestration injections. A test well in the Newark Rift Basin was utilized to monitor microbial succession during two field experiments in which CO2 saturated water was injected into isolated aquifer intervals. 16S rRNA gene sequence libraries were created from water samples collected before and after the test well injections. This field study has relevance for evaluating biogeochemical alterations expected from this type of environmental disturbance and can help inform monitoring strategies for future geological CO2 storage activities.