Spatial and Temporal Correlation of Water Quality Parameters of Produced Waters from Devonian-Age Shale following Hydraulic Fracturing

Olmstead, Sheila M.

doi:10.1201/b18648-9

Cited by 12 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…[1][2][3] The brine and produced water associated with unconventional gas extraction in the Marcellus Shale is reported to contain high levels of total dissolved solids, halides (e.g., chloride, bromide), strontium, barium, and naturally occurring radionuclides. [36][37][38][39][40][41] Water analyses conducted during this study indicated elevated levels of chloride, manganese, iron, and specific conductance as compared to good quality groundwater. [1] Chloride was found in all of the wells sampled, however, none exceeded .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Well water contamination in a rural community in southwestern Pennsylvania near unconventional shale gas extraction

Alawattegama

Kondratyuk

Krynock

et al. 2015

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A

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Reports of ground water contamination in a southwestern Pennsylvania community coincided with unconventional shale gas extraction activities that started late 2009. Residents participated in a survey and well water samples were collected and analyzed. Available pre-drill and post-drill water test results and legacy operations (e.g., gas and oil wells, coal mining) were reviewed. Fiftysix of the 143 respondents indicated changes in water quality or quantity while 63 respondents reported no issues. Color change (brown, black, or orange) was the most common (27 households). Well type, when known, was rotary or cable tool, and depths ranged from 19 to 274 m. Chloride, sulfate, nitrate, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese and strontium were commonly found, with 25 households exceeding the secondary maximum contaminate level (SMCL) for manganese. Methane was detected in 14 of the 18 houses tested. The 26 wells tested for total coliforms (2 positives) and E. coli (1 positive) indicated that septic contamination was not a factor. Repeated sampling of two wells in close proximity (204 m) but drawing from different depths (32 m and 54 m), revealed temporal variability. Since 2009, 65 horizontal wells were drilled within a 4 km (2.5 mile) radius of the community, each well was stimulated on average with 3.5 million gal of fluids and 3.2 million lbs of proppant. PA DEP cited violations included an improperly plugged well and at least one failed well casing. This study underscores the need for thorough analyses of data, documentation of legacy activity, pre-drill testing, and long term monitoring.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Well water contamination in a rural community in southwestern Pennsylvania near unconventional shale gas extraction

Alawattegama

Kondratyuk

Krynock

et al. 2015

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A

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“…At the same time, concerns regarding potential environmental pollution from hydraulic fracturing have also arisen [2,3], especially the potential contamination of shallow aquifers by hydraulic fracturing fluids and/or formation water from deep formations through induced and natural fractures [4], leaking from casings and cement or wastewater discharge [1,5]. Of the complex contaminants in hydraulic fracturing fluids and/or formation water, naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) are notable concerns [6][7][8]. For example, Warner et al [9] found that the radioactivity level of 226 Ra in stream sediments at the point of discharge at a waste treatment facility in central Pennsylvania was nearly 200 times greater than those of upstream and background sediments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radioactivity of Soil, Rock and Water in a Shale Gas Exploitation Area, SW China

Huang

Hao

Pang

et al. 2017

Water

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Abstract:Studies have been carried out to investigate the baseline radioactivity level (gross alpha, gross beta and 226 Ra) of soil, rocks and groundwater in the Fuling block, Chongqing, the largest shale gas exploitation area of China. The results show that there is a general activity concentration trend of gross alpha, gross beta and 226 Ra: shale > soil > limestone due to the high content of uranium, thorium and potassium in shale and low content in limestone. The average activities of shallow groundwater from a limestone aquifer are 0.14, 0.13 and <0.008 Bq/L for gross alpha, gross beta and 226 Ra, respectively. The radioactivity concentrations of gross alpha, gross beta and 226 Ra (4.37, 1.40 and 0.395 Bq/L, respectively) of the formation water were far lower than those of formation water in the Marcellus shale in the USA (with ranges of 86-678, 23-77 and 16-500 Bq/L, respectively). One polluted shallow groundwater source and its associated stream sediments had been polluted due to leakage of drilling fluid with relatively high radioactivity levels and high concentration of main ions. Overall, this study provides an important baseline radioactivity level to assess the impact of shale gas exploitation on a shallow environment.

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“…[67,68] Elevated levels of Radium 226 ( 226 Ra) are commonly found in Marcellus Shale produced water. [30,69] A USGS study found a median value of 2,460 pCi/L and a high of 18,000 pCi/ L. [69] A more recent study found 226 Ra at 200 times background levels immediately downstream from a brine 440…”

Section: Flowback and Produced Watermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, dedicated permitted waste water treatment plants continue to process these fluids and release their effluent into local streams and rivers. [30] The treatment of waste water and sludge can result in the production of technically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials or TENORMS. [67,68] Elevated levels of Radium 226 ( 226 Ra) are commonly found in Marcellus Shale produced water.…”

Section: Flowback and Produced Watermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Each well produces around 1,000 tons of drilling waste (ground up rock and drilling mud) that may contain a variety of salts, heavy metals, and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) most notably uranium, radium, and radon. [30] This drilling waste may be buried on site or, more typically, transported to landfills. These landfills are both in and out of the state where the waste is produced (e.g., West Virginia and New York landfills accept waste from Pennsylvania).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Current perspectives on unconventional shale gas extraction in the Appalachian Basin

Lampe

Stolz

2015

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A

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Spatial and Temporal Correlation of Water Quality Parameters of Produced Waters from Devonian-Age Shale following Hydraulic Fracturing

Cited by 12 publications

References 5 publications

Well water contamination in a rural community in southwestern Pennsylvania near unconventional shale gas extraction

Well water contamination in a rural community in southwestern Pennsylvania near unconventional shale gas extraction

Radioactivity of Soil, Rock and Water in a Shale Gas Exploitation Area, SW China

Current perspectives on unconventional shale gas extraction in the Appalachian Basin

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