ORALS

Constant growth in world population and intense industrial development inevitably cause degradation of the environment and induce scarcity, sometimes also causing conflicts and tension regarding georesources. Predictive geosciences gather knowledge from fields such as mathematics, physics, and material sciences in order to develop geo-technologies based on Big Data assessment and predictive/inverse numerical simulations. Also necessary is the development of theoretical concepts and continuously improving methods of application derived from recent advancements in scientific and technological innovation in related domains. Land surfaces and subsurfaces are increasingly solicited for different uses including exploitation of water resources for farming, agriculture, and other uses. In addition, exploration and exploitation of energy resources, useful substances, and storage of undesirable substances in the underground require knowledge of the dynamics of multiphase hydrosystems, from the surface to depths of several kilometers. The fundamental issue is transfer of mass and heat between phases (water - rock - gas - "microorganisms") on different scales of time and space, from soil to groundwater and deep aquifers. Such knowledge and application demands multidisciplinary competencies and complementary methods to enrich and extend both theoretical approaches and databases to build advanced concepts as well as interpretive and predictive numerical models [1]. These models must be continuously fed, updated, improved, tested, and validated on potentially similar and analogous systems on large scales. The advanced concepts are based on field observations highlighting the expression and footprints of several complex and coupled physico-chemical and biological processes, such as those for reactive facies, redox zone, pH-buffering zone, capillary fringe, and mixing zone, that can be nested in generic and generalizable patterns (i.e., Critical Zone, etc.). These concepts can be used as guides to explore and manage geosystems to exploit resources (water, oil, gas, heat, recyclable materials, etc.) as well as to store some resources temporarily (water, heat, gas, etc.) and store undesirable substances permanently (CO₂, industrial water, acid gases, radioactive waste, etc.) [2]. Several platforms for the environment, artificial recharge of aquifers, mineral extraction, and recycling materials, were constructed at different scales to sustain these scientific developments [3]. Biodegradation processes based on the triggering of biogeochemical reactions result in the installation of active redox zones with relatively variable spatial extension and lifespan [4]. It is clear that future industrial and socio-economic developments must be rethought and improved by moving closer to an ideal of "zero rejection" and optimal and efficient use of natural resources. A comprehensive review of the state of knowledge, success stories, challenges, and innovation potentials will be presented. In addition, the areas of development in geosciences at BRGM (French Geological Survey) and ISTO (Earth Sciences Institutes of Orléans), institutes that share observation sites, research infrastructures, and pilot sites for developing environmental monitoring tools, and validation models supports will be presented.

References:
[1] Azaroual M., Pettenati M., Besnard K., Casanova J., Rampnoux N. (2011). In: Water Security in the Mediterranean Region. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series - C: Environmental Security. Springer Science, Chap. 9; pp. 111-128.
[2] André L., Azaroual M., Bernstone Ch., Witteck A. (2015). Transport in Porous Media. Vol. 108; 185-205.
[3] Ollivier P., N. Surdyk N., Azaroual M., Besnard K., Casanova J., Rampnoux N. (2013). Chemical Geology, Vol. 356; 109-125.
[4] Viggi C, Matturro B, Frascadore E, Insogna S, Mezzi A, Kaciulis S, Sherry A, Mejeha OK, Head IM, Vaiopoulou E, Rabaey K, Rossetti S, Aulenta F. (2017) Water Res. Vol. 15; 11-21.