Karstified carbonate rocks constitute 21.6 % of the European land surface and contain abundant groundwater resources. These karst aquifers contribute substantially to the freshwater supply of most Mediterranean countries and many large cities, e.g., Rome and Beirut. However, karst aquifers are highly variable in terms of water availability and quality, and vulnerable to contamination and climate change. Therefore, they require specific investigation and management approaches. The main objective of the proposed KARMA project is to achieve substantial progress in the hydrogeological understanding and sustainable management of karst water resources across several scales. Based on our recently accomplished World Karst Aquifer Map, the project will deliver a detailed karst aquifer map at the scale of the entire Mediterranean area with valuable information, noticeably for stakeholders, on recharge, groundwater vulnerability and groundwater-dependent ecosystems. At catchment scale, five karst systems in Spain, France, Italy, Lebanon and Tunisia will serve as field observatories. Tracer tests, hydrologic monitoring and isotope studies will be applied to better quantify recharge and dynamic water balances. New generic models will allow a better understanding of karst hydrodynamic processes at different spatiotemporal scales, and thus better predictions concerning climatic and human impacts. At local scale, novel early-warning systems for microbial and chemical contamination will be developed, based on water-quality monitoring at karst springs. The resulting karst aquifer map will be a major tool for stakeholders and governments for transboundary water resources management in the entire Mediterranean region. The new generation of modeling tools proposed in this project will allow better long-term predictions of climate-change impacts and improved management decisions. Early-warning systems will be useful for water suppliers to identify short-term contamination at springs.

The objective of the CO2-DISSOLVED project is to assess the technical-economic feasibility of a novel CCS concept integrating (1) an innovative post-combustion deep-well CO2 capture and dissolution technology, (2) injection of dissolved CO2 instead of supercritical, and (3) combined geothermal heat recovery in the extracted brine via a doublet/surface heat exchanger system. This approach combines several objectives including renewable energy production, greenhouse gas reduction, and the assessment of a novel, low cost capture and storage method. Further, the proposed use of dissolved CO2 versus injection in a supercritical phase offers substantial benefits in terms of lower brine displacement risks, lower CO2 escape risks, lower to none pressure buildup in the storage aquifer, and the potential for more rapid mineralization. As another contributing novel factor, this proposal targets low to medium range CO2-emitters (10-100 kt/yr), that could be compatible with a single doublet installation. Unlike the standard approach which focuses on very large regional emitters (1-5 Mt/yr), the proposed CO2-DISSOLVED concept opens new potential opportunities for local storage solutions dedicated to low emitters such as food, paper, or glass industry, building materials makers, etc. Since it is intended to be a local solution, the costs related to CO2 transport would then be dramatically reduced, provided that the local underground geology is favourable. On the other hand, the heat recovered could benefit directly to the industrial emitters for their own heating and/or process needs and possibly for heating other collective buildings close to the storage facility. This project is divided in four main technical tasks addressing the following points: - Task 1: Applicability of the Aqueous-based CO2 Capture and Dissolution Facility technology, - Task 2: Efficiency of the Coupled CO2 Injection/Geothermal Heat Extraction System, - Task 3: Monitoring and Risk assessment, - Task 4: Integrated Technical-Financial Feasibility Analysis Applied to two Test-cases (France, Germany). Though being mainly a feasibility study relying on engineering methodologies, the achievement of this project will also have to rely on ambitious research work in order to address the following points: - Standard monitoring and risk analysis approaches need be revisited as a function of the new features and constraints of the CO2-DISSOLVED approach. Innovative geochemical and geophysical monitoring solutions are intended to be evaluated and tested, both on-field and in-lab. A new risk analysis methodology will be specifically designed and applied in accordance with the modelled and observed properties of the whole system. - The potential acidified brine reactivity will now be delivered out of the injection well, unlike the standard supercritical approach where the acid front followed the extension of the CO2 plume. Specific work, focusing on the near-well area and relying on both new experimental and modelling approaches will be carried out in this project. A new experimental facility will be available for future experiments involving injection of dissolved CO2. - The association of CCS to geothermal heat production, applied locally to small CO2-emitters, makes partly obsolete previous conceptual economic models. New models will then have to be developed, validated, and applied to two application test-cases (one in France, one in Germany). The expected results will permit to have at our disposal a complete portfolio of innovative technologies associated with adapted experimental and theoretical tools, so that in case of positive conclusions on the feasibility of this concept, promising industrial applications could be envisaged on the short term by the end of this 30 month project.

FrakRisk further develops the knowledge base for understanding, preventing and mitigating the potential impact of the exploration and exploitation of shale gas reserves found throughout Europe. This will include international experience, state of the art process understanding, state of the art modelling techniques and the further development of fully accepted risk assessment tools for site screening, selection and management specifically for shale gas exploitation. FracRisk focuses on key knowledge gaps identified from the literature, research and industrial experience. Central to the project is the modelling of six exemplary scenarios selected to represent the highest risk environmental impact scenarios identified as generally of most concern. The modelling of the scenarios is directed by the aim to reduce the uncertainty and assess the risk of different events during shale gas exploration and exploitation. Using an iterative modelling and risk reduction approach, cost effective data density requirements to limit uncertainty will be evaluated. The modelled scenarios will be validated against existing data from several sites within the EU and in the USA. Effective monitoring procedures and applicable mitigation techniques will be determined and evaluated. Scientific recommendations will be formulated and legislative refinement suggested. Public concerns about the management of risk related to fracking operations will be addressed. A firm scientific basis and demonstrable data to validate recommendations will be provided. The technological readiness level from a number of multidisciplinary approaches and applications will be noticeably improved. FrakRisk will lead to a more focused, coherent and scientifically founded approach that can be useful to member states willing to enable and regulate the shale gas industry.