Master of Science / Department of Geology / Saugata Datta / With the ever-rising atmospheric concentrations of CO₂ there arises a need to either reduce emissions or develop technology to store or utilize the gas. Geologic carbon storage is a potential solution to this global problem. This work is a part of the U.S. Department of Energy small-scale pilot studies investigating different areas for carbon storage within North America, with Kansas being one of them. This project is investigating the feasibility for CO₂ storage within the hyper-saline Arbuckle aquifer in Kansas. The study incorporates the investigation of three wells that have been drilled to basement; one well used as a western calibration study (Cutter), and the other two as injection and monitoring wells (Wellington 1-28 and 1-32). Future injection will occur at the Wellington field within the Arbuckle aquifer at a depth of 4,900-5,050 ft. This current research transects the need to understand the lateral connectivity of the aquifers, with Cutter being the focus of this study. Three zones are of interest: the Mississippian pay zone, a potential baffle zone, and the Arbuckle injection zone. Cored rock analyses and analyzed formation water chemistry determined that at Wellington there exists a zone that separated the vertical hydrologic flow units within the Arbuckle. This potential low porosity baffle zone within the Arbuckle could help impede the vertical migration of the buoyant CO₂ gas after injection. Geochemical analysis from formation water within Cutter indicates no vertical separation of the hydrologic units and instead shows a well-mixed zone. The lateral distance between Cutter and Wellington is approximately 217 miles. A well-mixed zone would allow the CO₂ plume to migrate vertically and potentially into potable water sources. Formation brine from Cutter was co-injected with supercritical CO₂ into a cored rock from within the Arbuckle (7,098 ft.). Results show that the injected CO₂ preferentially preferred a flow pathway between the chert nodules and dolomite. Post reaction formation chemistry of the brine showed the greatest reactivity occurring with redox sensitive species. Reactivity of these species could indicate that they will only be reactive on the CO₂ plumes front, and show little to no reactivity within the plume.

La conservation des zones humides fortement modifiées par les pratiques anthropiques, nécessite l’acquisition de données scientifiques sur leur diversité et leur fonctionnement. Cette thèse vise à relier l’anthropisation des zones humides à la diversité génétique, niveau de base de la biodiversité lié à la capacité adaptative des populations et au maintien des espèces. L’effet de l’anthropisation sur la diversité génétique de végétaux aquatiques est étudié à plusieurs échelles d’espaces (zone humide et bassin versant) et de temps (études synchroniques et diachroniques). La diversité génétique de populations de deux espèces rudérales (Berula erecta et Apium nodiflorum) et une compétitive (Nuphar lutea) est comparée dans deux plaines alluviales contrastées (trophie, connectivité hydrologique et restauration), à l’aide de marqueurs microsatellites adaptés à l’étude d’espèces clonales. La diminution de la connectivité hydrologique augmente la différenciation génétique et diminue la diversité génétique pour les espèces rudérales étudiées alors qu’elle n’a pas d’effet sur l’espèce compétitive. L’impact de la connectivité est donc dépendant de la stratégie de reproduction. La diversité génétique des espèces rudérales diminue également dans les zones humides plus eutrophes. L’augmentation de la diversité génétique post-restauration chez B. erecta est corrélée à la fréquence des perturbations (assecs) qui créent des niches favorisant le recrutement des graines. Cette étude propose des préconisations de gestion pour les zones humides et apporte des connaissances sur la dynamique de la diversité génétique des plantes aquatiques en lien avec leur environnement / The conservation of wetlands which are strongly modified by human practices, requires the acquisition of knowledge about their diversity and functioning. This thesis aimed to link the human pressures and plant genetic diversity in wetlands, which is the basic level of biodiversity linked to the adaptive capacity of populations and species maintenance. The effect of anthropization on the genetic diversity of aquatic plants is studied at several spatial and temporal scales (wetland and watershed; synchronic vs. diachronic studies). The genetic diversity of populations of two ruderal (Berula erecta and Apium nodiflorum) and one competitive species (Nuphar lutea) in two contrasting floodplains (in terms of trophic status, hydrological connectivity and restoration) is compared using microsatellite markers suitable for the study of clonal species. A reduction in hydrological connectivity increases genetic differentiation and decreases genetic diversity for ruderal species studied, while it did not affect the competitive species. The impact of connectivity is related to plant reproductive strategy. The genetic diversity of ruderal species also decreases in most eutrophic wetlands. The increase of genetic diversity of B. erecta after restoration is correlated with the frequency of disturbances (dewatering) that create niches for seed recruitment. This study provides management recommendations for the impacted wetlands and provides knowledge about the dynamics of the genetic diversity of aquatic plants in relation to their environment