Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Overview
Grant Dawson finished his PhD thesis in 2012, which was entitled “Carbon sequestration in coal: The relationships between coal structure, texture, and mineralogy, and the role of mineral reactivity with carbonic acid.” Grant has also participated in both conventional and bioengineered coal seam gas (a.k.a. coal bed methane) research. Grant’s present research is focused upon laboratory scale studies of carbon dioxide geosequestration in sandstone formations, the physical & chemical conditions of past natural carbonate mineralisation in the Eromanga & Surat Basins in the context of hydrocarbon presence/absence as well as local and regional geology, and methods of artificially accelerating mineral trapping of CO2. Grant’s current work involves whole-rock and individual mineral batch reactor experiments with CO2 in fresh or saline waters, characterisation of samples before and after reactions using techniques such as SEM-EDS and X-ray micro CT scanning, and also natural analogue studies and related laboratory experiments which seek to determine mineral trapping mechanisms that could potentially be engineered or accelerated in sandstone and caprock formations.
Research Interests
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CO2 Sequestration
The long term geological storage of carbon dioxide emissions in order to mitigate anthropogenic climate change. -
Coal Geology & Petrology
The study of coal and related geology. Aside from mining and coal seam gas recovery, coal is also useful for palaeo-climatology and palaeo-ecology studies, and can also contain structural and related mineralogical information useful for basin analysis. -
Petroleum Geology
Good petroleum traps are generally also good CO2 traps. Hydrocarbon accumulations and migration can in places have associated carbonate mineralisation; the reasons and mechanisms for this are of use for the study of CO2 mineral trapping. -
Scanning Electron Microscopy
A high resolution imaging technique which, if coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectrometry, can also give semi-quantitative compositional information for a sample surface. -
Isotope Geochemistry
The use of both stable and radiogenic isotopes to characterise or date mineralisation.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Science (Honours), The University of Queensland
Publications
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Journal Article: Mineralogical controls on porosity and water chemistry during O2-SO2-CO2 reaction of CO2 storage reservoir and cap-rock core
Pearce, Julie K., Golab, Alexandra, Dawson, Grant, Knuefing, Lydia, Goodwin, Carley and Golding, Suzanne D. (2016) Mineralogical controls on porosity and water chemistry during O2-SO2-CO2 reaction of CO2 storage reservoir and cap-rock core. Applied Geochemistry, 75 152-168. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.11.002
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Journal Article: Reactivity of micas and cap-rock in wet supercritical CO2 with SO2 and O2 at CO2 storage conditions
Pearce, Julie K., Dawson, Grant K. W., Law, Alison C. K., Biddle, Dean and Golding, Suzanne D. (2016) Reactivity of micas and cap-rock in wet supercritical CO2 with SO2 and O2 at CO2 storage conditions. Applied Geochemistry, 72 59-76. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.06.010
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Conference Publication: Metal and metalloid mobilisation and sequestration during CO2-SO2 and CO2-SO2-O2 reaction of reservoir and cap-rock cores
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W., Golding, S. D. and Kirste, D. (2016). Metal and metalloid mobilisation and sequestration during CO2-SO2 and CO2-SO2-O2 reaction of reservoir and cap-rock cores. In: Goldschmidt2016, Yokohama, Japan, (2454). 26 June-1 July 2016.
Grants
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Interaction of CO2 saturated groundwater with Mollayember Formation lithologies
(2017–2018) Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development
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(2015–2017) Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development
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(2009–2010) Go8 Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
Publications
Book
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Geochemical and geomechanical testing of near wellbore CO2 injectivity improvement: Final Report
Dawson, Grant K. W., Biddle, Dean, Farquhar, Susan, Gao, Jinfang, Golding, Suzanne D., Xu, Jiang, Keck, Ryan, Khan, Charwarwan, Law, Alison, Li, Qin, Pearce, Julie, Rudolph, Victor, Watson, Ambrose and Xing, Huilin (2014) Geochemical and geomechanical testing of near wellbore CO2 injectivity improvement: Final Report : The University of Queensland School of Earth Sciences
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Final Report: Geochemical reactivity and dissolution trapping capacity using Supercritical CO2
Pearce, J. K., Farquhar, S. M., Dawson, G. K. W. and Golding, S. D. (2014) Final Report: Geochemical reactivity and dissolution trapping capacity using Supercritical CO2 St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: UniQuest
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Golding, S. D., Farquhar, S. M., Pearce, J. K. and Dawson, G. K. W. (2014) Geochemical reactivity and dissolution trapping capacity using supercritical CO2: third milestone report St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: UniQuest
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Golding, S. D., Dawson, G. K. W., Boreham, C. J. and Mernagh, T. (2013) ANLEC Project 7-1011-0189: Authigenic carbonates as natural analogues of mineralisation trapping in CO2 sequestration: a desktop study Manuka, ACT, Australia: Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development
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Dawson, G. K. W., Sidiq, H., Pearce, J., Gao, J-F., Golding, S. D., Rudolph, V., Li, Q. and Xing, H. (2013) ANLEC Project 3-1110-0101: Review of laboratory-scale geochemical and geomechanical experiments simulating geosequestration of CO2 in sandstone, and associated modelling studies Manuka, ACT, Australia: Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development
Journal Article
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Pearce, Julie K., Golab, Alexandra, Dawson, Grant, Knuefing, Lydia, Goodwin, Carley and Golding, Suzanne D. (2016) Mineralogical controls on porosity and water chemistry during O2-SO2-CO2 reaction of CO2 storage reservoir and cap-rock core. Applied Geochemistry, 75 152-168. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.11.002
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Reactivity of micas and cap-rock in wet supercritical CO2 with SO2 and O2 at CO2 storage conditions
Pearce, Julie K., Dawson, Grant K. W., Law, Alison C. K., Biddle, Dean and Golding, Suzanne D. (2016) Reactivity of micas and cap-rock in wet supercritical CO2 with SO2 and O2 at CO2 storage conditions. Applied Geochemistry, 72 59-76. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.06.010
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SO2-CO2 and pure CO2 reactivity of ferroan carbonates at carbon storage conditions
Pearce, Julie K., Law, Alison C. K., Dawson, Grant K. W. and Golding, Suzanne D. (2015) SO2-CO2 and pure CO2 reactivity of ferroan carbonates at carbon storage conditions. Chemical Geology, 411 112-124. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.07.001
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Farquhar, S. M., Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W., Golab, A., Sommacal, S., Kirste, D., Biddle, D. and Golding, S. D. (2015) A fresh approach to investigating CO2 storage: Experimental CO2-water-rock interactions in a low-salinity reservoir system. Chemical Geology, 399 98-122. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2014.10.006
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Pearce, Julie K., Kirste, Dirk M., Dawson, Grant K. W., Farquhar, Susan M., Biddle, Dean, Golding, Suzanne D. and Rudolph, Victor (2015) SO2 impurity impacts on experimental and simulated CO2-water–reservoir rock reactions at carbon storage conditions. Chemical Geology, 399 65-86. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2014.10.028
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Dawson, G. K. W., Pearce, J. K., Biddle, D. and Golding, S. D. (2015) Experimental mineral dissolution in Berea Sandstone reacted with CO2 or SO2 –CO2 in NaCl brine under CO2 sequestration conditions. Chemical Geology, 399 87-97. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2014.10.005
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Dawson, G. K. W., Golding, S. D., Biddle, D. and Massarotto, P. (2015) Mobilisation of elements from coal due to batch reactor experiments with CO2 and water at 40°C and 9.5MPa. International Journal of Coal Geology, 140 63-70. doi:10.1016/j.coal.2015.01.005
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Farquhar, S. M., Dawson, G. K. W., Esterle, J. S. and Golding, S. D. (2013) Mineralogical characterisation of a potential reservoir system for CO2 sequestration in the Surat Basin. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 60 1: 91-110. doi:10.1080/08120099.2012.752406
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Golding, S. D., Uysal, I. T., Bolhar, R., Boreham, C. J., Dawson, G. K. W., Baublys, K. A. and Esterle, J. S. (2013) Carbon dioxide-rich coals of the Oaky Creek area, central Bowen Basin: a natural analogue for carbon sequestration in coal systems. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 60 1: 125-140. doi:10.1080/08120099.2012.750627
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Occurrence of minerals within fractures and matrix of selected Bowen and Ruhr Basin coals
Dawson, G. K. W., Golding, S. D., Esterle, J. S. and Massarotto, P. (2012) Occurrence of minerals within fractures and matrix of selected Bowen and Ruhr Basin coals. International Journal of Coal Geology, 94 150-166. doi:10.1016/j.coal.2012.01.004
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Biogenic methane potential for Surat Basin, Queensland coal seams
Papendick, Samuel L., Downs, Kajda R., Vo, Khang D., Hamilton, Stephanie K., Dawson, Grant K. W., Golding, Suzanne D. and Gilcrease, Patrick C. (2011) Biogenic methane potential for Surat Basin, Queensland coal seams. International Journal of Coal Geology, 88 2-3: 123-134. doi:10.1016/j.coal.2011.09.005
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Controls on coal cleat spacing
Dawson, G.K.W. and Esterle, J.S. (2010) Controls on coal cleat spacing. International Journal of Coal Geology, 82 3-4: 213-218. doi:10.1016/j.coal.2009.10.004
Conference Publication
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Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W., Golding, S. D. and Kirste, D. (2016). Metal and metalloid mobilisation and sequestration during CO2-SO2 and CO2-SO2-O2 reaction of reservoir and cap-rock cores. In: Goldschmidt2016, Yokohama, Japan, (2454). 26 June-1 July 2016.
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Engineering CO2 storage with co-contaminants
Pearce, Julie, Dawson, Grant, Kirste, Dirke and Golding, Sue (2015). Engineering CO2 storage with co-contaminants. In: SEG Global Meeting Abstracts. International Conference and Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia, (). 13-16 September 2015. doi:10.1190/ice2015-2209955
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Impurity Effects in O2-SO2-CO2-Water-Rock Reactions Relevant to CO2 Storage in the Surat Basin
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W., Kirste, D. and Golding, S. D. (2014). Impurity Effects in O2-SO2-CO2-Water-Rock Reactions Relevant to CO2 Storage in the Surat Basin. In: Australian Earth Sciences Convention, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, (). 7-10 July 2014.
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Berea Sandstone permeability pre and post reaction with supercritical CO2 in 1% NaCl brine
Dawson, G. K. W., Biddle, D, Khan, C, Jiang, X., Golding, S. D. and Rudolph, V. (2013). Berea Sandstone permeability pre and post reaction with supercritical CO2 in 1% NaCl brine. In: Goldschmidt Conference Abstracts 2013. Goldschmidt Conference 2013, Florence, Italy, (952-952). 25-30 August 2013. doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.5.4
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Farquhar, S. M., Dawson, G. K. W., Pearce, J. K. and Golding, S. D. (2013). Experimental investigation of CO2-water-rock interactions under simulated fresh-water aquifer conditions. In: Goldschmidt Conference Abstracts 2013. Goldschmidt Conference 2013, Florence, Italy, (1066-1066). 25-30 August 2013. doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.5.6
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SO2 and O2 co-injection with potential carbon storage target sandstone from a fresh-water aquifer
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W., Farquhar, S. and Golding, S. D. (2013). SO2 and O2 co-injection with potential carbon storage target sandstone from a fresh-water aquifer. In: Goldschmidt Conference Abstracts 2013. Goldschmidt Conference 2013, Florence, Italy, (1942-1942). 25-30 August 2013. doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.5.16
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Dawson, G. K. W., Esterle, J. S., Golding, S. D. and Massarotto, P. (2011). Cleat and joint intersections and mineralisation of a coal core from the Bandanna Formation, Bowen Basin, Queensland, Australia. In: The Asia Pacific Coalbed Methane Symposium (3rd, APCBM, 2011), Brisbane, Australia, (). 3-6 May 2011.
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Experimental supercritical CO2 and water interactions with coal under simulated in situ conditions
Dawson, G.K.W., Golding, S.D., Massarotto, P. and Esterle, J.S. (2011). Experimental supercritical CO2 and water interactions with coal under simulated in situ conditions. In: 10th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, (3139-3146). 19-23 September 2010. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2011.02.228
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Experimental supercritical CO2 and water interactions with Carboniferous coal, Germany
Dawson, Grant Kristofor Wayne, Golding, Suzanne D., Bae, Jun-Seok, Biddle, Dean and Massarotto, Paul (2009). Experimental supercritical CO2 and water interactions with Carboniferous coal, Germany. In: Goldschmidt 2009 - "Challenges to our volatile planet". 19th Annual V.M. Goldschmidt Conference, Davos, Switzerland, (A268-A268). 21-26 June 2009.
Other Outputs
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Dawson, Grant Kristofor Wayne (2012). Carbon dioxide sequestration in coal: the relationships between coal structure, texture, and mineralogy, and the role of mineral reactivity with carbonic acid PhD Thesis, School of Earth Sciences, The University of Queensland.
Grants (Administered at UQ)
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Interaction of CO2 saturated groundwater with Mollayember Formation lithologies
(2017–2018) Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development
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(2015–2017) Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development
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(2009–2010) Go8 Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
