The Impact of Climate Change and Soil Classification on Benzene Concentration in Groundwater Due to Surface Spills of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing drilling technology can cause a high risk of surface spill accidents and thus water contamination. Climate change together with the high water demand and rapid increase in industrial and agricultural activities are valued reasons why we should all care about the availability of water resources and protect them from contamination. Hence, the purpose of this study is to estimate the risk associated with a site contaminated with benzene from oil spillage and its potential impact on groundwater. This study focused on investigating the impact of soil variability and water table depth on groundwater contamination. Temperature-dependent parameters, such as soil water content and the diffusion of pollutants, were considered as key input factors for the HYDRUS 1D numerical model to simulate benzene migration through three types of soil (loamy, sandy clay loam, and silt loam) and evaluate its concentration in the water aquifer. The results indicated that an anticipated increase in earth’s average surface temperature by 4 °C due to climate change could lead to a rise in the level of groundwater pollution in the study area by 0.017 mg/L in loamy soil, 0.00046 mg/L in sandy clay loam soil, and 0.00023 mg/L in silt loam soil. It was found that climate change can reduce the amount of benzene absorbed from 10 to 0.07% in loamy soil, 14 to 0.07% in sandy clay loam soil, and 60 to 53% in silt loam soil. The results showed that the soil properties and solute characteristics that depend on the temperature have a major and important role in determining the level of groundwater pollutants.

Sense of Place and Perceived Impacts in the Rural Industrialized Nexus: Insights for Sustainability Pathways

“…The interactions of these industries with water within the context of never-ending economic growth provide a bleak outlook for sustainability. What is more, being a Mediterranean climate, water resources of the county are quickly diminishing due to the demands of these industries, each of which is notorious for unsustainable water consumption, as well as urbanization, population influx, and the impacts of climate change (Almaliki et al 2022 ; Keenan and Krannich 1997 ).…”

Pulmonary vascular disease, environmental pollution, and climate change

“…91 Moreover, benzene air pollution is increased by humidity and decreased by wind, meaning the humid and stagnant air typical of warmer climates would likely intensify its concentration; meanwhile, the global elevation in temperatures is projected to increase its ability to pollute water supplies in the event of an oil spill in proximity with groundwater. 6 Similarly, pollution from persistent organic pollutants, such as those contained in pesticides, is expected to increase due to climate change. 92,93 PVOD PVOD is a highly aggressive form of precapillary PH for which there is no established medical therapy, and the only effective treatment is lung transplant in eligible patients.…”

“…Indeed, assuming stable population and emissions, heatwaves and atmospheric stagnation are expected to increase the concentration of airborne pollutants in China by 2050, causing a 39% and 6% increase in mortality among the Chinese population, respectively. 5 The rise in global temperatures will also cause increased water pollution from oil spills, 6 and humidity and stagnant air will also increase benzene concentrations and ozone formation. 7 Food scarcity from failed crops, 8 water shortages 9 from droughts and pollution are already causing mass migrations due to inhabitable land, famine and war 10 ; the disappearance of entire ecosystems is causing such severe biodiversity loss that a 6th mass extinction is frequently evoked.…”

Laboratory Study of Liquid Nitrogen Cryo-Fracturing as an Environmentally Friendly Approach for Coalbed Methane (CBM) Reservoirs

“…Hydraulic stimulation uses water pressure to exceed rock strength and the addition of chemicals to reduce friction and control the extent of fractures [10]. Added chemicals give rise to environmental concerns over ground contamination and wastewater disposal [11][12][13]. Thus, reservoir stimulation with less environmental risks is of merit.…”