Dr Grant Dawson
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
School of the Environment
+61 7 336 52130
Researcher biography
Grant has degrees in both Chemistry and Earth Sciences and is presently focused on assessing the environmental impact of fluid-rock interactions on groundwater chemistry. This entails a variety of rock characterisation techniques (elemental, mineralogical, petrophysical), benchtop sequential extraction experiments, and pressure vessel experiments that mimic in-situ conditions deep underground, with data then fed into geochemical modelling software. The analytical equipment that Grant has operated to achieve his research outcomes includes ICP-MS, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS, Microprobe, XRF, Synchrotron XFM beamline, Petrographic Microscopes (both scanning and standard), Gas Permeameter, Helium Pycnometer, Pressure Vessels, etc. Grant also has an active interest in the geological storage of carbon dioxide, both via injection into deep geological formations and direct atmospheric capture facilitated by rock weathering to form stable carbonate rocks (mineral trapping of CO2). In the past, Grant has studied natural carbonate mineralisation (both veins and cement) throughout the Great Artesian Basin, to explore the variety of natural conditions that promote the transformation of CO2 into minerals. Early in his research career, Grant participated in paleo-climate research projects that involved botanically describing and assessing the cell morphology of fossil woods, coal petrography, studying coral cores, and picking foraminifera recovered from the sea floor.
Publications
Book Chapters
Pearce, Julie K. and Dawson, Grant K. W. (2019). Gas-water-mineral reactivity in caprocks: measurements, estimates, and observations. Geological carbon storage: subsurface seals and caprock integrity. (pp. 147-165) edited by Stéphanie Vialle, Jonathan Ajo‐Franklin and J. William Carey. Washington, DC, United States: American Geophysical Union.
Pearce, Julie K. and Dawson, Grant K. W. (2018). Gas‐water‐mineral reactivity in caprocks. Geological Carbon Storage: Subsurface Seals and Caprock Integrity. (pp. 147-165) edited by Stephanie Vialle, Jonathan Ajo-Franklin and J. William Carey. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781119118657.ch7
Journal Articles
Mao, Xiaoxiao, Dawson, Grant K.W., Rudolph, Victor, Rodrigues, Sandra and Golding, Suzanne D. (2024). Origin and nature of pores in the Toolebuc Formation, a potential unconventional target in Australia. International Journal of Coal Geology, 286 104497, 104497. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2024.104497
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. W., Brink, F., Southam, G., Paterson, D., Hall, N., Heath, R., Greer, D., Kirste, D. and Golding, S. D. (2023). Impure CO2 storage reactions of sandstone, mudstone and carbonate cemented cores: experimental CO2 SO2 NOX O2 reaction metal mobilisation and fate. International Journal of Coal Geology, 277 104352, 104352. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2023.104352
Pearce, J. K., Blach, T., Dawson, G. K. W., Southam, G., Paterson, D. J., Golding, S. D., Bahadur, J., Melnichenko, Y. B. and Rudolph, V. (2023). Cooper Basin REM gas shales after CO2 storage or acid reactions: metal mobilisation and methane accessible pore changes. International Journal of Coal Geology, 273 104271, 104271. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2023.104271
Turner, Luc, Dawson, Grant K. W., Golding, Suzanne D. and Pearce, Julie K. (2022). CO2 and NOx reactions with CO2 storage reservoir core: NOx dissolution products and mineral reactions. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 120 103750, 1-20. doi: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2022.103750
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. W., Southam, G., Paterson, D., Kirste, D. and Golding, S. D. (2022). Metal mobilization from CO2 storage cap-rocks: experimental reactions with pure CO2 or CO2 SO2 NO. Frontiers in Energy Research, 10 873813, 1-21. doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2022.873813
Pearce, J.K., Dawson, G.W., Golding, S.D., Southam, G., Paterson, D.J., Brink, F. and Underschultz, J.R. (2022). Predicted CO2 water rock reactions in naturally altered CO2 storage reservoir sandstones, with interbedded cemented and coaly mudstone seals. International Journal of Coal Geology, 253 103966, 103966. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2022.103966
Pearce, J.K., Brink, F., Dawson, G.W., Poitras, J., Southam, G., Paterson, D.J., Wolhuter, A. and Underschultz, J.R. (2022). Core characterisation and predicted CO2 reactivity of sandstones and mudstones from an Australian oil field. International Journal of Coal Geology, 250 103911, 103911. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2021.103911
Pearce, Julie K., Dawson, Grant K. W., Sommacal, Silvano and Golding, Suzanne D. (2021). Micro CT and experimental study of carbonate precipitation from CO2 and produced water co-injection into sandstone. Energies, 14 (21) 6998, 6998. doi: 10.3390/en14216998
Sun, Beilei, Esterle, Joan S., Dawson, Grant K.W., Rodrigues, Sandra, Lord, Rhiannon, Golding, Sue D., Feng, Yuexing and Zeng, Fangui (2020). Evidence for an Early-Middle Jurassic fluid event constrained by Sm–Nd, Sr isotopes, rare earth elements and yttrium in the Bowen Basin, Australia. International Journal of Coal Geology, 224 103478, 103478. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2020.103478
Pearce, Julie K., Dawson, Grant K. W., Sommacal, Silvano and Golding, Suzanne D. (2019). Experimental and modelled reactions of CO2 and SO2 with core from a low salinity aquifer overlying a target CO2 storage complex. Geosciences, 9 (12) 513, 513. doi: 10.3390/geosciences9120513
Pearce, Julie K., Kirste, Dirk M., Dawson, Grant K. W., Rudolph, Victor and Golding, Suzanne D. (2019). Geochemical modelling of experimental O2–SO2–CO2 reactions of reservoir, cap-rock, and overlying cores. Applied Geochemistry, 109 104400, 104400. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2019.104400
Pearce, Julie, Dawson, Grant and Golding, Suzanne (2019). Interaction of dissolved CO2, SOx and NOx with the Moolayember Formation underlying the Precipice Sandstone. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3366101
Pearce, J.K., Dawson, G.K.W., Golab, A., Knuefing, L., Sommacal, S., Rudolph, V. and Golding, S.D. (2019). A combined geochemical and μCT study on the CO2 reactivity of Surat Basin reservoir and cap-rock cores: porosity changes, mineral dissolution and fines migration. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 80, 10-24. doi: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2018.11.010
Pearce, Julie K. and Dawson, Grant K. W. (2018). Experimental determination of impure CO2 alteration of calcite cemented cap-rock, and long term predictions of cap-rock reactivity. Geosciences, 8 (7) 241, 241. doi: 10.3390/geosciences8070241
Pearce, J. K., Altaf, I., Kirste, D., Golding, S. D., Dawson, G. K. W. and Undershultz, J. (2018). Geochemistry of storing CO2 and NOx in the deep Precipice Sandstone. ASEG Extended Abstracts, 2018 (1), 1-8. doi: 10.1071/aseg2018abw8_4b
Pearce, Julie K., Dawson, Grant K.W., Blach, Tomasz P., Bahadur, Jitendra, Melnichenko, Yuri B. and Golding, Suzanne D. (2017). Impure CO2 reaction of feldspar, clay, and organic matter rich cap-rocks: decreases in the fraction of accessible mesopores measured by SANS. International Journal of Coal Geology, 185, 79-90. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2017.11.011
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Papers
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W., Golding, S. D., Kirste, D., Southam, G., Paterson, D., Brink, F. and Rudolph, V. (2023). Assessing geochemical reactivity during CO2 geological storage: an example from the Surat Basin. Australasian Exploration Geosciences Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 13-18 March 2023.
Pearce, J.K., Dawson, G.K.W., Golding, S.D., Kirste, D., Southam, G., Paterson, D., Brink, F. and Rudolph, V. (2022). CO2 geological storage in the southern Surat Basin: assessing CO2-water-rock reactivity. Australian Groundwater Conference, Perth, WA Australia, 21-24 November 2022.
Kirste, Dirk, Pearce, Julie, Dawson, Grant and Golding, Suzanne (2021). Trace metal mobility during CO2- SO2-NO-O2 storage. Goldschmidt 2021, Virtual, 4-9 July 2021. France: European Association of Geochemistry. doi: 10.7185/gold2021.7793
Dawson, G. K. W., Pearce, J. K., Kirste, D. and Golding, S. D. (2020). A sequential extraction method for evaluating rock-hosted elements at conditions relevant to CO2 geo-sequestration. Goldschmidt Virtual 2020, Virtual, 21-26 June 2020. Washington, DC USA: Geochemical Society. doi: 10.46427/gold2020.532
Kirste, D., Volden, L., Pearce, J., Dawson, G. and Golding, S. (2020). Geochemical Modelling from Benchtop to Field Scale. Goldschmidt Virtual 2020, Virtual, 21-26 June 2020. Washington, DC USA: Geochemical Society. doi: 10.46427/gold2020.1327
Pearce, J., Kirste, D., Dawson, G., Southam, G., Paterson, D., Golding, S. and Brink, F. (2019). Metal mobilisation and sequestration with CO2 stream injection in the Precipice Sandstone: Experimental data input for a reactive transport model. Australian Groundwater Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 24-27 November 2019.
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W. and Golding, S. D. (2019). Interaction of dissolved CO2, SOx and NOx with the Moolayember Formation underlying the Precipice Sandstone. 14th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 21-26 October 2018. Rochester, NY United States: SSRN.
Kirste, Dirk, Pearce, Julie K., Golding, Sue D. and Dawson, Grant K. W. (2019). Trace element mobility during CO2 storage: application of reactive transport modelling. 16th International Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction (WRI-16) and 13th International Symposium on Applied Isotope Geochemistry (1st IAGC International Conference), Tomsk, Russia, 21-26 July 2019. Paris, France: EDP Sciences. doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/20199804007
Pearce, J.K., Blach, T., Dawson, G., Melnichenko, Y., Southam, G., Golding, S.D., Bahadur, J. and Paterson, D. (2019). Experimental acid and scCO2 reactions of Roseneath, Epsilon and Murteree gas shales: opening or closing of gas accessible pores and metal release to water. AEGC 2019, Perth, WA, Australia, 2-5 September 2019. Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/22020586.2019.12073164
Pearce, J. K. , Dawson, G. and Golding, S. D. (2018). Interaction of dissolved CO2, SOx and NOx with the Moolayember Formation underlying the Precipice Sandstone. GHGT 14, Melbourne, Australia, 22-25 October 2018. GHGT 14.
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. Goldschmidt2016, Yokohama, Japan, 26 June-1 July 2016.
Pearce, Julie, Dawson, Grant, Kirste, Dirke and Golding, Sue (2015). Engineering CO2 storage with co-contaminants. International Conference and Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia, 13-16 September 2015. Society of Exploration Geophysicists and American Association of Petroleum Geologists. doi: 10.1190/ice2015-2209955
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. Australian Earth Sciences Convention, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 7-10 July 2014.
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W., Law, A. and Golding, S. D. (2014). Sulphate formation as a potential CO2 storage self-sealing mechanism in wet supercritical CO2-caprock reactions. Australian Earth Sciences Convention, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 7-10 July 2014.
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. Goldschmidt Conference 2013, Florence, Italy, 25-30 August 2013. Twickenham, Middlesex, United Kingdom: Mineralogical Society. doi: 10.1180/minmag.2013.077.5.6
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. Goldschmidt Conference 2013, Florence, Italy, 25-30 August 2013. Twickenham, Middlesex, United Kingdom: Mineralogical Society. doi: 10.1180/minmag.2013.077.5.16
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. Goldschmidt Conference 2013, Florence, Italy, 25-30 August 2013. Twickenham, Middlesex, United Kingdom: Mineralogical Society. doi: 10.1180/minmag.2013.077.5.4
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. The Asia Pacific Coalbed Methane Symposium (3rd, APCBM, 2011), Brisbane, Australia, 3-6 May 2011.
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. 10th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 19-23 September 2010. The Netherlands: Elseiver. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2011.02.228
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. 19th Annual V.M. Goldschmidt Conference, Davos, Switzerland, 21-26 June 2009. Oxford, United Kingdom: Pergamon.
Thesis
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.
Research Reports
Dawson, Grant K. W., Kirste, Dirk M., Pearce, Julie K. and Golding, Suzanne D. (2023). ANLEC Project 7-0320-C323 Final Report: South Surat metal mobilisation and fate of heavy metals released. Barton, ACT, Australia: Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development. (ANLEC R&D).
Dawson, G.K.W., Kirste, D.M., Pearce, J.K. and Golding, S.D. (2021). Groundwater Geochemistry of the Moolayember Formation . ANLEC R&D: ANLEC R&D.
Dawson, G.K.W., Pearce, J.K., Kirste, D.M., Biddle, D. and Golding, S.D. (2020). ANLEC Project 7-0919-0320 Progress Report: Groundwater Geochemistry of the Moolayember Formation
. ANLEC R&D: ANLEC R&D.
Dawson, G.K.W., Pearce, J.K., Biddle, D. and Golding, S.D. (2019). ANLEC Project 7-1116-0295: Interaction of CO2 saturated groundwater with Moolayember Formation lithologies. ANLEC R&D: ANLEC R&D.
Golding, S.D., Pearce, J.K., Dawson, G.K.W. and Kirste, D.M. (2019). ANLEC Project 7-1115-0236 Final Report: Mobilisation and fate of heavy metals released by the GHG stream. Australia: ANLEC R&D.
Golding, S., Pearce, J., Dawson, G. and Kirste, D. (2019). Weak acid leachable and total trace elements in Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation. ANLEC R&D: ANLEC R&D.
Dawson, G.K.W., Golding, S.D., Biddle, D. and Pearce, J.K. (2019). ANLEC Project 7-1116-0295: West Wandoan 1 Moolayember Formation petrophysical analyses. Australia: ANLEC R&D.
Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W. and Golding, S. D. (2018). Interaction of CO2 saturated groundwater with Moolayember Formation lithologies: Memo report 2. Barton, ACT, Australia: ANLEC R&D.
Golding, S. D., Pearce, J. K., Dawson, G. K. W. and Kirste, D. (2017). Mobilisation and fate of metals and metalloids released by the GHG stream: Milestone report 4. Barton, ACT, Australia: ANLEC R&D.
J Pearce, G Dawson and S Golding (2017). Interaction of CO2 saturated groundwater with Moolayember Formation lithologies: Memo report 1. ANLEC R&D: ANLEC R&D.
G Dawson, J Pearce, L Turner and S Golding (2016). Weak acid leachable and total trace elements in Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation. ANLEC R&D: ANLEC R&D.
Golding, S.D., Dawson, G.K.W., Pearce, J.K., Farrajota, F., Mernagh, T., Boreham, C.J., Hall, L.S., Palu, T.J. and Sommacal, S. (2016). Great Artesian Basin authigenic carbonates as natural analogues for mineralisation trapping. Melbourne, Australia: Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies.
Golab, Alexandra, Knuefing, Lydia, Goodwin, Carley, Sommacal, Silvano, Carnerup, Anna, Dawson, Grant, Pearce, Julie and Golding, Sue (2015). Maximising the value of digital core analysis for carbon sequestration site assessment: final report on geochemical reactivitiy studies of core material using ScCO2. Technical report for Project 7-0311-0128, Sub-project 5: undertake time series (4D) imaging and conventional experimental studies to measure geochemical reactivity and dissolution trapping capacity of core material using supercritical CO2. Barton, ACT Australia: ANLEC R&D.
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. ANLEC Project 7-1110-0101 The University of Queensland School of Earth Sciences.
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.
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.
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.
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.