While the effects of human activities on the environment are well known, this study, published in the journal Earth’s Future, sheds light on how we are altering the flow of fluids underground.
“We compared the movement of fluids caused by human activities, such as oil and gas production, to the natural circulation of water,” explains Jennifer McIntosh, a professor at the University of Arizona and lead author of the study. “The results show significant human impact.”
The study highlights potential problems with future climate change solutions, such as underground storage of carbon dioxide (carbon sequestration) and lithium mining for electric vehicles. These processes involve pumping liquids deep underground, which can disrupt natural flows.
The research team also predicts how these actions might leave a mark on the geological record—the history preserved in Earth’s rocks. Human activities can also affect the deep-dwelling microbes that inhabit these fluids.
McIntosh concludes: “There’s still a lot we don’t know.”
Source: Ferra
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
