Temporal variation in groundwater quality in the Permian Basin of Texas, a region of increasing unconventional oil and gas development

Hildenbrand, Zacariah L.; Carlton, Doug D.; Fontenot, Brian E.; Meik, Jesse M.; Walton, Jayme L.; Thacker, Jonathan B.; Korlie, Stephanie; Shelor, C. Phillip; Kadjo, Akinde F.; Clark, Adelaide E.; Usenko, Sascha; Hamilton, J. F.; Mach, Phillip M.; Verbeck, Guido F.; Hudak, Paul F.; Schug, Kevin A.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.04.144

Cited by 82 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Increasing water-quality monitoring efforts before, during, and after the construction of hydraulically fractured wells can improve our understanding of how hydraulic fracturing operations may affect groundwater resources in different hydrogeologic settings over time (20). The lack of field-based hydrogeologic studies (21), combined with the variability in hydraulic fracturing operations and hydrogeology across the United States, makes it difficult to identify "one-size-fits-all" exposure pathways, should a contamination event occur.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydraulic fracturing near domestic groundwater wells

Jasechko

Perrone

2017

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Hydraulic fracturing operations are generating considerable discussion about their potential to contaminate aquifers tapped by domestic groundwater wells. Groundwater wells located closer to hydraulically fractured wells are more likely to be exposed to contaminants derived from on-site spills and well-bore failures, should they occur. Nevertheless, the proximity of hydraulic fracturing operations to domestic groundwater wells is unknown. Here, we analyze the distance between domestic groundwater wells (public and self-supply) constructed between 2000 and 2014 and hydraulically fractured wells stimulated in 2014 in 14 states. We show that 37% of all recorded hydraulically fractured wells stimulated during 2014 exist within 2 km of at least one recently constructed (2000-2014) domestic groundwater well. Furthermore, we identify 11 counties where most ([Formula: see text]50%) recorded domestic groundwater wells exist within 2 km of one or more hydraulically fractured wells stimulated during 2014. Our findings suggest that understanding how frequently hydraulic fracturing operations impact groundwater quality is of widespread importance to drinking water safety in many areas where hydraulic fracturing is common. We also identify 236 counties where most recorded domestic groundwater wells exist within 2 km of one or more recorded oil and gas wells producing during 2014. Our analysis identifies hotspots where both conventional and unconventional oil and gas wells frequently exist near recorded domestic groundwater wells that may be targeted for further water-quality monitoring.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydraulic fracturing near domestic groundwater wells

Jasechko

Perrone

2017

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…The Water-Energy Awareness Index: The water-energy awareness index is designed to capture the multiple connections between water and energy. As outlined above, the waterenergy connections focus on energy creation strategies such as hydraulic fracturing and hydroelectricity generation, the energy used in water distribution, as well as the potential damage and pollution that energy production can have on freshwater sources (Bartos and Chester, 2015;Gallegos et al, 2015;Gregory, Vidic, and Dzombak, 2011;Hildenbrand et al, 2016;Ridlington and Rumpler, 2013;Spang et al, 2014a).…”

Section: Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlates of Food–Energy–Water Nexus Awareness Among the American Public*

Hannibal

Portney

2019

Social Science Quarterly

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Objective Recently, much research in the physical sciences has been dedicated to identifying a nexus or connection between water, energy, and food. This research agenda, however, has not been sufficiently examined in the social sciences. This article examines the extent to which individuals demonstrate awareness of the three nexus elements: water–energy, energy–food, and food–water. Methods We use three awareness indexes as dependent variables and varying sociodemographic characteristics and aspects of environmental concern as predictors in the statistical analysis. Results Our results suggest that there are some patterned or systematic correlates with the nexus elements, although relationships do not always turn out as anticipated. Indeed, explanations of nexus awareness do not follow previously studies’ explanations of environmental concern, and vary depending on which elements of the nexus are analyzed. Conclusion We conclude with suggestions to raise awareness of the connections between natural resources among all populations. Such awareness will promote sustainable societies and reduce environmental inequality and issues of environmental justice

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“…Samples collected for organic ion analysis were preserved with chromatography grade chloroform to prevent microbial degradation. Samples collected for the analysis of volatile organic and semi-volatile organic compounds, total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen were untreated [10,11,27,29]. Select samples for dissolved hydrocarbons gases (methane, ethane, and propane) were collected using Isoflask containers as per Molofsky et al [30].…”

Section: Water Well Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes, Perceptions, and Geospatial Analysis of Water Quality and Individual Health Status in a High-Fracking Region

Granados

Hildenbrand²,

Mata

et al. 2019

Water

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The expansion of unconventional oil and gas development (UD) across the US continues to be at the center of debates regarding safety to health and the environment. This descriptive study evaluated the water quality of private water wells in the Eagle Ford Shale as well as community members' perceptions of their water. Community members (n = 75) were surveyed about their health status and perceptions of drinking water quality. Water samples from respondent volunteers (n = 19) were collected from private wells and tested for a variety of water quality parameters. Of the private wells sampled, eight had exceedances of maximum contaminant limits (MCLs) for drinking water standards. Geospatial descriptive analysis illustrates the distributions of the well exceedance as well as the well owners' overall health status. Point-biserial correlational analysis of the haversine distance between respondents and well exceedances revealed four statistically significant relationships {Well 11, Well 12, Well 13, Well 14} with correlations of {0.47, 53, 0.50, 0.48} and p-values of {0.04, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04}, respectively. These correlations suggest that as distance from these northwestern wells increase, there is a higher likelihood of exceedances. Those relying on municipal water or purchased water assessed that it was less safe to drink than those relying on private wells for drinking (p < 0.001, Odds Ratio, OR = 44.32, 95% CI = {5.8, 2003.5}) and cooking (p < 0.003, OR = 13.20, 95% CI = {1.8, 589.9}. Tests of proportional differences between self-reported conditions and provider-reported conditions revealed statistical significance in most cases, perhaps indicating that residents believed they have illnesses for which they are not yet diagnosed (including cancer). In many cases, there are statistically significant differences between self-reported, provider undiagnosed conditions and self-reported, provider diagnosed conditions.

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Temporal variation in groundwater quality in the Permian Basin of Texas, a region of increasing unconventional oil and gas development

Cited by 82 publications

References 26 publications

Hydraulic fracturing near domestic groundwater wells

Hydraulic fracturing near domestic groundwater wells

Correlates of Food–Energy–Water Nexus Awareness Among the American Public*

Attitudes, Perceptions, and Geospatial Analysis of Water Quality and Individual Health Status in a High-Fracking Region

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