Geological CO2 Monitoring Methods: A Review

This review paper discusses various methods of monitoring of atmospheric geological CO2. The report presents a detailed description of the technologies that can measure CO2 leakage from potential point or diffuse sources. CO2 leakage at the surface may get quickly dispersed into the atmosphere, and therefore may prove difficult to detect using methods used for a wide areal coverage. Therefore, Surface monitoring equipment may preferably be positioned in the region of areas where possible leakage paths have been identified through the reservoir. Long Open Path (IP diode) lasers, Short open path (IR diode) lasers, Short closed path (NDIRs and IR) and Eddy covariance can do monitoring of atmospheric CO2. All these methods with their strengths and weaknesses are discussed here.