Abstract. Between late January and early March of 1990 Europe was hit by a sequence of severe winter storms that caused significant infrastructure damage and a large number fatalities. The storm sequence started with Hurricane Daria on 25–26 January 1990, which was one of the most serious events of the storm cluster, especially for the UK. The low pressure centre moved in a west-northwest direction across Ireland, southern Scotland, and north of Denmark before moving further into the Baltic. The strongest winds south of the trajectory path caused significant damage and disruptions in England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and West Germany. Media reports highlighted building damage, interrupted transportation networks, power outages, and fatalities. There were also a series of maritime emergencies in the Bay of Biscay, English Channel, North Sea, and Baltic Sea. This contribution takes a closer look at Storm Daria, presenting an overview of meteorological measurements and the societal impacts, followed by an analysis of the North Sea tide gauge network to understand the storm surge and possible large wave occurrences. Offshore wind energy was at the planning stage in this early period, but onshore wind energy was established in Denmark with demonstration projects in other countries. The storm is an important case study of extreme meteorological conditions that can impact energy infrastructure.

Abstract. ​​​​​​​To meet the global goal of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, many governments are turning to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as a critical technology. Brazil is the largest CO2 emitter in South America and the 7th largest globally, yet it is in the early stages of CCS development. Using publicly available geological and infrastructure data, this study evaluates the feasibility and suitability of saline aquifers for CO2 storage in onshore intracratonic basins in southern Brazil. Saline aquifers deemed suitable for CO2 sequestration are those below 800 m deep, with a thickness greater than 20 m, and in areas with regionally extensive caprock at least 10 m thick. Using these criteria, we classify areas within the Rio Bonito Formation of the Paraná Basin and the Mucuri Member in the onshore extent of the Espírito Santo Basin into potential and exclusion areas for CO2 storage. The Rio Bonito Formation is present in the central-southern Paraná Basin and ranges from outcrop exposures to over 3900 m depth. The formation ranges in thickness from 25–350 m, and sandstone intervals within the formation have a cumulative thickness between 13 and 150 m. Caprocks consist mainly of shale and siltstone. Based on the criteria used, CO2 sequestration in the Rio Bonito Formation is optimal in two zones of the Paraná Basin that extend over ca. 27 700 km2 (northern zone) and ca. 38 100 km2 (southern zone). The Mucuri Member is present in almost the entire onshore extent of the Espírito Santo Basin and ranges in depth from 500 to 2650 m. The unit reaches 400 m thick with a cumulative thickness of sandstone layers ranging from 0 to 320 m. Caprocks consist mainly of evaporites, but shale and sandstone intervals are also present. CO2 sequestration in the Mucuri Member is optimal in one zone of the onshore Espírito Santo Basin, which extends over ca. 630 km2. Together, these zones have the capacity to store > 6.1 Gt CO2 providing Brazil with suitable capacity for reducing its CO2 emissions over the short- to medium-term.

Abstract. Groundwater serves as a crucial source of drinking water, supports agricultural irrigation, and sustains aquatic ecosystems. However, contamination of groundwater poses significant risks to public health, food security, and ecological balance. Given that groundwater contributes an average of 40 % of California's water supply, ensuring its quality is of paramount importance for the state's municipalities, industries, and agricultural sector. To address this, rigorous groundwater quality assessment and monitoring are imperative to promote sustainable and safe utilization of these resources. Our study leveraged data from the California State Water Resources Control Board (CSWRCB) website, focusing on physiochemical parameters such as total dissolved solids, total hardness, and key cations (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ & K+) and anions (e.g., HCO3-, Cl−, SO42- & NO3-). Utilizing the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation method in ArcMap, we generated spatial maps to visualize groundwater quality across California. Furthermore, we applied the Weighted Index Overlay Analysis (WIOA) approach, assigning weights to various physiochemical characteristics based on World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water quality guidelines. Our study aims to facilitate the assessment and monitoring of groundwater contamination in the region, providing valuable insights and formulating a spatial database that can be utilized for effective decision-making and resource management in ArcMap through WIOA analysis.

Abstract. Northern Italy is a historically water abundant region. However, it was struck by a major meteorological drought recently, which caused many damages to agriculture and other sectors. Adaptation measures to a changing climate and to extreme events is thus a growing topic and measures have to be tested and planned to be able to avoid future water scarcity. Here, a possible adaptation measure is proposed and evaluated through field tests and numerical modelling: the flooding of fields during periods of water abundance as an additional aquifer recharge. Results show that the measure has a considerable potential in infiltrating high volumes of water. This work only shows the first achieved results, more data and improved numerical models are needed to sustain this consideration and assess the feasibility of the measure, both of which will be achieved in the next years.

Abstract. Water extraction solutions in the high mountainous areas of Northern Vietnam commonly include rainwater harvesting, dug wells, drilled wells, groundwater springs, and hanging lakes. However, many water supply systems operate inefficiently and lack flexibility. This study established 10 criteria for selecting groundwater exploitation technology, divided into three groups: water resources, economic and technical, social, and environmental criteria. These criteria aim to identify appropriate water extraction technologies suitable for high mountainous and water-scarce regions, ensuring the long-term and efficient operation of water supply systems. The Geographic Information System (GIS) approach was utilized, integrating the criteria using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to select suitable water extraction technologies. The research results indicate that the evaluation criteria for determining suitable areas for implementing sustainable water extraction technologies, and the weights assigned to these criteria, ensure a consistent ratio (CR) <10 % according to the hierarchical analysis method. This article presents the results of identifying areas suitable for implementing groundwater extraction technologies using drilled wells, based on seven criteria within three groups: water resources, economic and technical, and social criteria. The GIS approach has been employed, and the criteria have been integrated using the AHP to select and determine the areas suitable for implementing groundwater extraction technologies using drilled wells.

Abstract. Porosity and permeability measurements aid the characterisation of geothermal reservoirs as they improve understanding of the impact of rock–fluid interactions during the life cycle of wells. Core flooding experiments can help us comprehend the rock–brine electrochemical system as critical parameters like salinity, pH, temperature, or pressure change. If the clay mineral content is significant it can reduce permeability and porosity since these particles can block the pore throat network connectivity through clay migration or swelling. A multi-salinity experiment was conducted in three tight clay-bearing (kaolinite, chlorite, and glauconite) sandstones to study the impact of clay on their petrophysical properties. The experiment consisted of core-flooding brines with salinities of 75 000–200 000 and 0–50 000 ppm NaCl at very low flow rates. Electrical resistivity, the differential pressure across the sample, outlet brine electrical conductivity, and brine permeability were measured. Pore size distribution was acquired by measuring nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) T2 relaxation time. Cation-exchange capacity (CEC) was derived using the Waxman and Smits (1968) approach. The derived CECs were 71.5, 4.7, and 3.6 meq per 100 g for the kaolinite, chlorite, and glauconite sandstones, respectively. Kaolinite was the least water-sensitive as its permeability decreased uniformly. Chlorite and glauconite were more water-sensitive as in the low salinity range; their permeability increased, and both displayed a bimodal NMR T2 distribution and pore size rearrangement towards the mesoporosity and macroporosity range, indicating that the cation-exchange site prevailed within the pore space. This investigation highlights the importance of ensuring that appropriate fluid chemistry is used on brines flowing in clay-bearing geothermal reservoirs.

Abstract. The European Geosciences Union (EGU) brings together geoscientists from all over Europe and the rest of the world, covering all disciplines of Earth, planetary and space sciences. The Division on Energy, Resources and the Environment (ERE), as part of the EGU, follows an interdisciplinary approach to serve society and provide solutions to challenges of our time and in the future. One task for humankind, for example, is to provide adequate and reliable supplies of affordable energy and other resources, obtained in environmentally sustainable ways, which will be essential for economic prosperity, environmental quality and political stability around the world. This volume of Advances in Geosciences spans the range of topics of the division and continues a series of ten ERE special issues over the course of the last ten years. We incorporate emerging topics into the division ERE along the line and we advocate that every idea and opportunity should be studied and tested.