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Βedrock instability of underground storage systems in the Czech Republic, Central Europe

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Abstract

Underground storage systems are currently being used worldwide for the geological storage of natural gas (CH4), the geological disposal of CO2, in geothermal energy, or radioactive waste disposal. We introduce a complex approach to the risks posed by induced bedrock instabilities in deep geological underground storage sites. Bedrock instability owing to underground openings has been studied and discussed for many years. The Bohemian Massif in the Czech Republic (Central Europe) is geologically and tectonically complex. However, this setting is ideal for learning about the instability state of rock masses. Longterm geological and mining studies, natural and induced seismicity, radon emanations, and granite properties as potential storage sites for disposal of radioactive waste in the Czech Republic have provided useful information. In addition, the Czech Republic, with an average concentration radon of 140 Bq m−3, has the highest average radon concentrations in the world. Bedrock instabilities might emerge from microscale features, such as grain size and mineral orientation, and microfracturing. Any underground storage facility construction has to consider the stored substance and the geological settings. In the Czech Republic, granites and granitoids are the best underground storage sites. Microcrack networks and migration properties are rock specific and vary considerably. Moreover, the matrix porosity also affects the mechanical properties of the rocks. Any underground storage site has to be selected carefully. The authors suggest to study the complex set of parameters from micro to macroscale for a particular place and type of rock to ensure that the storage remains safe and stable during construction, operation, and after closure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., V Holesovickach 41, 182 00, Prague, Czech Republic

    Lucie Novakova

  2. Institute of Geophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Bocni 1401, 141 31, Prague, Czech Republic

    Milan Broz

  3. ARCADIS CZ a.s. Division Geotechnika, Geologicka 988/4, 152 00, Prague, Czech Republic

    Jiri Zaruba, Karel Sosna & Jan Najser

  4. Czech Geological Survey, Geologicka 6, 152 00, Prague, Czech Republic

    Lenka Rukavickova & Jan Franek

  5. Εmeritus scientist, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Narodni 1009/3, 110 00, Prague, Czech Republic

    Vladimir Rudajev

Authors
  1. Lucie Novakova
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Correspondence to Lucie Novakova.

Additional information

Lucie Nováková Ph.D. is a highly skilled professional geologist with more than ten years of experience in structural geology and brittle tectonics at the Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. Her main professional interests are active tectonics, geodynamics, paleostress analysis, and macro and microscale faults. Her work is dealing with brittle tectonics from the macro to microscale, active tectonics, paleostress analysis, reconstruction of the tectonic history of complex fault zones, intraplate seismicity, and fault gauges. Her Ph.D. thesis dealt with the active tectonics of the northeastern Bohemian Massif (“Brittle tectonics in the NE Bohemian Massif as related to recent tectonic movements indicated by GPS measurements”). She is the Editor in Chief of the Universal Journal of Geosciences and Member of Editorial Board of reputed journals.

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Novakova, L., Broz, M., Zaruba, J. et al. Βedrock instability of underground storage systems in the Czech Republic, Central Europe. Appl. Geophys. 13, 315–325 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11770-016-0563-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11770-016-0563-z

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