High resolution, spatial and temporal evolution of a preserved coastal dune system, and its CCS implications

Grantham, Muráine

Abstract

The sediments of aeolian systems are widely recognised for their saline aquifer carbon capture and storage (CCS) potential. The influence of sediments from coeval systems (e.g. fluvial and lacustrine systems) upon that reservoir potential has received much scientific study. Less attention has been focused upon the interactions between sediments of the aeolian and marine systems along aridclimate marine shorelines. This is despite the fact that such interactions have the potential to provide stratigraphic closure to aeolian prospects, or to extend reservoir potential, depending upon style and evolution of the system, and the sediment deposited.
This study is the result of extensive fieldwork focusing on the facies distribution and the stratigraphic arrangement of a middle Cretaceous Escucha Formation of the Iberian Desert System, Spain. Localscale sedimentary logging has been conducted through the intertonguing aeolian and marine successions in order to study the facies-scale interactions between sediments of both systems, and their evolution through time in response to local fluctuations in sea-level.
Results of this study show sedimentary signatures comparable to those found in autogenically controlled aeolian-marine systems. The relative differences found in allocyclic systems and autocyclic systems preserves homogeneous and heterogeneous sandstone bodies respectively, which dramatically changes the CCS trap potential as heterogeneous deposits reduce CO2 migration and leakage potential even at shallow aquifer depths. This work illustrates the importance of considering facies transitions and interactions across aeolian margins for evaluating aquifer porosity of shallow saline aquifer targets for CO2 sequestration.

Citation

Grantham, M. (2025). High resolution, spatial and temporal evolution of a preserved coastal dune system, and its CCS implications. (Thesis). Keele University. https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1279953

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Online Publication Date: Jun 26, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jun 17, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 27, 2025
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1279953
• Award Date: 2025-06