Papers by Aldo Annunziatellis
Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2003
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International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 2008
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As is well known the long-term effects and stability of a man-made CO2 geological storage facilit... more As is well known the long-term effects and stability of a man-made CO2 geological storage facility is very difficult to predict with laboratory or modeling experiments due to the size and long time scales involved. Instead attractive additional sources of information are natural sites where CO2 produced at great depths is either trapped in porous reservoirs or leaks to the surface. These sites can be considered as “natural analogues„ of what may occur over geological time spans within an engineered CO2 geological storage site. The study of these sites can be subdivided into three broad fields: i) understanding why some reservoirs leak while others don't; ii) understanding the possible effects of CO2 should it leak into the near-surface environment; and iii) using the leaking sites to develop, test and optimise various monitoring technologies. The present article summaries many of the near-surface gas geochemistry results obtained in central Italy during the EC-funded NASCENT project (Natural Analogues for the Storage of CO2 in the Geological Environment). These include a comparison of leaking (Latera) and a non-leaking (Sesta) CO2 reservoirs, detailed soil gas surveys to outline migration pathways, the development of a geochemical continuous-monitoring station to study temporal changes in CO2 concentrations, and field experiments involving the injection of a gas mixture in the shallow subsurface to outline migration pathways and to understand the behaviour of various gas species based on their different chemical-physical-biological characteristics. Put together this data provides useful information for site selection, risk assessment and monitoring techniques, which is needed if CO2 geological storage is to become an accepted and widely-applied technology.
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Energy Procedia, 2009
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Journal of Geophysical Research, 2007
Numerous soil gas measurements of four gaseous species with very different geochemical behaviors ... more Numerous soil gas measurements of four gaseous species with very different geochemical behaviors were performed in the Fucino Basin, an area characterized by known and inferred structural discontinuities. A comprehensive statistical and geostatistical treatment of these data followed in order to provide insight into the spatial influence of tectonic discontinuities and geology on deep-seated gas migration toward the surface. The results yielded anomalies with different features, reflecting the different gas-bearing properties of the eastern seismogenic faults related to the 1915 earthquake (Mb = 7.0) and the hidden structural features occurring in the western side of the plain. In particular, this approach demonstrates that soil gas concentration (i.e., Rn and CO2) can identify the simpler normal faults of the eastern sector of the plain. In contrast, the more pervasive fracturing and faulting, as well as the occurrence of coarser deposits, on the western side of the area, make the location of faults less clear. The results show that gases migrate preferentially through zones of brittle deformation by advective processes, as suggested by the relatively high rate of migration needed to obtain anomalies of short-lived 222Rn in the soil pores. Furthermore, a geostatistical study of soil gas data was conducted to quantify the spatial domain of correlation and the gas-bearing properties of faults on the basis of shallow soil gas distribution (i.e., anisotropic behavior). The results provide a clear correlation between the shape and orientation of the anomalies and the different geometry of the faults recognized in the plain.
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International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 2008
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Journal of Geophysical Research, 2007
Numerous soil gas measurements of four gaseous species with very different geochemical behaviors ... more Numerous soil gas measurements of four gaseous species with very different geochemical behaviors were performed in the Fucino Basin, an area characterized by known and inferred structural discontinuities. A comprehensive statistical and geostatistical treatment of these data followed in order to provide insight into the spatial influence of tectonic discontinuities and geology on deep-seated gas migration toward the surface. The results yielded anomalies with different features, reflecting the different gas-bearing properties of the eastern seismogenic faults related to the 1915 earthquake (Mb = 7.0) and the hidden structural features occurring in the western side of the plain. In particular, this approach demonstrates that soil gas concentration (i.e., Rn and CO2) can identify the simpler normal faults of the eastern sector of the plain. In contrast, the more pervasive fracturing and faulting, as well as the occurrence of coarser deposits, on the western side of the area, make the location of faults less clear. The results show that gases migrate preferentially through zones of brittle deformation by advective processes, as suggested by the relatively high rate of migration needed to obtain anomalies of short-lived 222Rn in the soil pores. Furthermore, a geostatistical study of soil gas data was conducted to quantify the spatial domain of correlation and the gas-bearing properties of faults on the basis of shallow soil gas distribution (i.e., anisotropic behavior). The results provide a clear correlation between the shape and orientation of the anomalies and the different geometry of the faults recognized in the plain.
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Energy Procedia, 2009
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Fisheries Oceanography, 2015
ABSTRACT Modeling the relationships between environmental factors and the distribution at sea of ... more ABSTRACT Modeling the relationships between environmental factors and the distribution at sea of species of conservation interest can be useful in predicting their occurrence from a local to a regional scale. This information is essential for planning management and conservation initiatives. In this study, generalized additive models (GAMs) were applied to investigate the influence of environmental, temporal and spatial variables on the catch rates of the twaite shad Alosa fallax (Lacepède) by the pelagic trawl fishery in the north-central Adriatic Sea. Presence/absence and abundance [catch per unit effort (CPUE)] data between 2006 and 2012 were separately modeled, and the two models were then validated using a test data set. The most important factor influencing the presence and abundance of adult twaite shads was the spatial predictor (latitude × longitude). Two areas of major shads aggregations were observed, the most important of which being located near the estuaries of three main river systems of northern Italy. The twaite shad presence was also significantly affected by season, the largest and lowest occurrences being observed in autumn and spring, respectively. Among the environmental variables tested, only sea surface temperature was included in both models. Alosa fallax showed a wide thermal tolerance (6–27°C) with preference for temperature around 23°C. The model developed from the abundance data showed a moderate predictive power, whereas the accuracy of the presence/absence model was rather low. Some conclusions on the ecological requirements of A. fallax at sea arising from this study are useful to orient future monitoring and research programs and to develop effective conservation actions.
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Energy Procedia, 2011
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SPE International Conference on CO2 Capture, Storage, and Utilization, 2010
ABSTRACT Leakage through new or existing wellbores is considered a major risk for carbon dioxide ... more ABSTRACT Leakage through new or existing wellbores is considered a major risk for carbon dioxide (CO 2) geological storage. Long-term effective containment of CO 2 is required, and the presence of millions of suspended or abandoned wells exacerbates the potential risk in mature hydrocarbon provinces. Accurate estimates of risk profiles can support the acceptance of geological storage and the adoption of economically effective risk-prevention and-mitigation measures. Reliable data about long-term containment of CO 2 are almost nonexistent, so wells that exhibit a similar risk profile (such as gas storage, gas production, and steam injection) should be used as a proxy to assess failure rates and consequences for cemented wellbores. Statistical data about occurrence of leaks and their consequences are analyzed to determine the risk profile of CO 2 leaks. A smaller sample of data about leak rates is also analyzed to provide their statistical distribution. Rates and consequences are then compared to try to assess the order of magnitude of major and catastrophic leaks. Hydrothermal CO 2 leaks in natural analogs are also reviewed to compare the distribution of leak rates and the consequences upon health, safety, and environment of CO 2 releases to soil and atmosphere. Analysis of existing data will show that major leaks are likely to occur in less than two wells per 1,000, with the overwhelming majority of CO 2 leaks being small and with limited or negligible consequences. Given their risk profile, CO 2 wellbore leaks should be addressed through a routine risk-management approach. Their frequent occurrence requires effective prevention measures, such as understanding leaks and adapting and deploying practices to minimize their occurrence. On the other hand, their low impact ensures maximum effectiveness of mitigation measures, such as monitoring. Because leaks can be detected long before damage ensues, they can be observed to predict their long-term consequences and to plan the most effective intervention without unnecessary immediate operation shutdowns. In conclusion, the recommended course of action is to focus on risk prevention and early detection. This implies the evolution from a "no-leaks" attitude (even for negligible leak consequences) to one that seeks no damage and relies on tight surveillance.
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2012 Oceans - Yeosu, 2012
ABSTRACT Underwater oil and gas extraction and distribution, as well as the investigation of solu... more ABSTRACT Underwater oil and gas extraction and distribution, as well as the investigation of solutions for CO2 storage underwater, demand for new technologies to perform pervasive real life monitoring and control of underwater critical infrastructures. In this paper we present a system, named CO2Net, we have developed to perform accurate real-life monitoring of underwater CO2 storage infrastructures. The basic component of our system is the CO2Probe, a new underwater monitoring node which combines sensing, acoustic communications and networking capabilities. CO2Probes are connected via acoustic links in an underwater sensor network which provides robust, real-life communications of the monitored data both in single-hop and multi-hop deployments. The user has a realtime control on the monitoring system, being able to change alarm threshold values and sampling rates. The proposed CO2Net approach overcomes the major limitations of system currently available on the market, and provides a first easy to use, flexible and easy to extend, complete monitoring system for underwater infrastructures, based on the emerging underwater sensor networking paradigm. A first prototype of CO2Net has been tested during summer-fall 2011 at the NATO Undersea Research Centre (NURC) in La Spezia. Results of these experiments confirm system reliability, and its adaptability: all requested data where provided in real-time, the system was remotely accessible and end user could change monitoring parameters.
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SPE Drilling & Completion, 2011
ABSTRACT Leakage through new or existing wellbores is considered a major risk for carbon dioxide ... more ABSTRACT Leakage through new or existing wellbores is considered a major risk for carbon dioxide (CO 2) geological storage. Long-term effective containment of CO 2 is required, and the presence of millions of suspended or abandoned wells exacerbates the potential risk in mature hydrocarbon provinces. Accurate estimates of risk profiles can support the acceptance of geological storage and the adoption of economically effective risk-prevention and-mitigation measures. Reliable data about long-term containment of CO 2 are almost nonexistent, so wells that exhibit a similar risk profile (such as gas storage, gas production, and steam injection) should be used as a proxy to assess failure rates and consequences for cemented wellbores. Statistical data about occurrence of leaks and their consequences are analyzed to determine the risk profile of CO 2 leaks. A smaller sample of data about leak rates is also analyzed to provide their statistical distribution. Rates and consequences are then compared to try to assess the order of magnitude of major and catastrophic leaks. Hydrothermal CO 2 leaks in natural analogs are also reviewed to compare the distribution of leak rates and the consequences upon health, safety, and environment of CO 2 releases to soil and atmosphere. Analysis of existing data will show that major leaks are likely to occur in less than two wells per 1,000, with the overwhelming majority of CO 2 leaks being small and with limited or negligible consequences. Given their risk profile, CO 2 wellbore leaks should be addressed through a routine risk-management approach. Their frequent occurrence requires effective prevention measures, such as understanding leaks and adapting and deploying practices to minimize their occurrence. On the other hand, their low impact ensures maximum effectiveness of mitigation measures, such as monitoring. Because leaks can be detected long before damage ensues, they can be observed to predict their long-term consequences and to plan the most effective intervention without unnecessary immediate operation shutdowns. In conclusion, the recommended course of action is to focus on risk prevention and early detection. This implies the evolution from a "no-leaks" attitude (even for negligible leak consequences) to one that seeks no damage and relies on tight surveillance.
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Marine Environmental Research, 2012
Understanding the movements of exploited fish has become a major concern for several management a... more Understanding the movements of exploited fish has become a major concern for several management and conservation initiatives, such as the implementation of well designed marine protected areas. Movements of an important recreational target species from the Mediterranean Sea, the parrotfish Sparisoma cretense, were determined in a marine protected area using passive acoustic telemetry, to evaluate site fidelity and homing, quantify home range and identify temporal patterns. Six adult parrotfish (20.8-29.8 cm total length) were caught along the north-eastern coast of Lampedusa (Italy) and surgically implanted with acoustic transmitters. Three fish were caught and released at the same site within the integral (i.e. "no entry-no take") reserve, whereas the others were caught outside the reserve boundary and released at the mid reserve 0.5 km apart. Two of the three fish that were released away from the capture site demonstrated homing abilities. Four fish showed a strong site fidelity, whereas the others moved frequently in and out of the monitoring area. Home range sizes estimated over the period of monitoring (up to 207 days) varied from 70,387 to 256,398 m(2), with core areas of 16,688 to 84,946 m(2). Home range size did not differ significantly between day and night. Home ranges of all fish extended beyond the reserve boundaries, showing example of potential spillover into take zones. Temporal activity patterns of fish were diurnal with a dominant diel rhythm, likely due to a resting behaviour at night. Though not specifically designed to protect exploited fish, the marine reserve of Lampedusa seems adequate for the conservation and management of S. cretense.
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GEOPHYSICS, 2010
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The main aim of this report is to assess whether Europe's seas can be considered healthy, cle... more The main aim of this report is to assess whether Europe's seas can be considered healthy, clean and undisturbed, and productive. These are three core aspects of the EU's main marine policy instrument — the Marine Strategy Framework Directive — and relate to the condition of marine ecosystems and the human drivers of ecosystem change. This assessment also involves identifying the main sustainability challenges affecting our seas, and how the EU is responding to these challenges. Ultimately, the report argues that EU is not on the path to fulfil its ambition of achieving sustainable use of its seas; although it is fully empowered to do so through the current array of policies and knowledge. This report also discusses how a long-term transition to sustainability could then be secured using the available policies and knowledge.
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Papers by Aldo Annunziatellis