Using Biological Responses to Monitor Freshwater Post-Spill Conditions over 3 years in Blacktail Creek, North Dakota, USA

Farag, Aїda M.; Harper, David D.; Cozzarelli, Isabelle M.; Kent, Douglas B.; Mumford, Adam C.; Akob, Denise M.; Schaeffer, Travis W.; Iwanowicz, Luke R.

doi:10.1007/s00244-022-00943-6

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 74 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This holistic view can improve the assessment of the potential ecological and health effects associated with hydrocarbon-contaminated sites . For example, the mobilization of Ra to aquatic systems and drinking water sources located downgradient creates potential exposure risks to biota and humans …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevated Radium Activity in a Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Aquifer

Plechacek

Mathews

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Hydrocarbon spills that reach the subsurface can modify aquifer geochemical conditions. Biogeochemical zones typically form proximal to the source zone that include iron (Fe(III)) and manganese (Mn(III/IV)) (hydr)oxide reduction, with potential to release associated geogenic contaminants to groundwater. Here, multi-level monitoring systems are used to investigate radium (226Ra, 228Ra) activities in an aquifer contaminated with a mixture of chlorinated solvents, ketones, and aromatics occurring as a dense non-aqueous phase liquid in the source zone. 226Ra activities are up to 10 times higher than background 60 m downgradient from the source zone, where pH is lower, total dissolved solid concentrations are higher, and conditions are methanogenic. Correlations indicate that Fe and Mn (hydr)oxide reduction and sorption site competition are likely responsible for elevated Ra activities within the dissolved phase plume. 226Ra activities return to background within the Fe(III)/SO4 2–-reducing zone 600 m downgradient from the source, near the middle of the dissolved phase plume. Geochemical models indicate that sorption to secondary phases (e.g., clays) is important in sequestering Ra within the plume. Although maximum Ra activities within the plume are well below the U.S. drinking water standard, elevated activities compared to background emphasize the importance of investigating Ra and other trace elements at hydrocarbon-impacted sites.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevated Radium Activity in a Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Aquifer

Plechacek

Mathews

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Ammonia and aquatic ecosystems – A review of global sources, biogeochemical cycling, and effects on fish

Edwards,

Puglis,

Kent

et al. 2024

Science of The Total Environment

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Illegal dumping of oil and gas wastewater alters arid soil microbial communities

Kashani,

Engle,

Kent

et al. 2024

Appl Environ Microbiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Permian Basin, underlying southeast New Mexico and west Texas, is one of the most productive oil and gas (OG) provinces in the United States. Oil and gas production yields large volumes of wastewater with complex chemistries, and the environmental health risks posed by these OG wastewaters on sensitive desert ecosystems are poorly understood. Starting in November 2017, 39 illegal dumps, as defined by federal and state regulations, of OG wastewater were identified in southeastern New Mexico, releasing ~600,000 L of fluid onto dryland soils. To evaluate the impacts of these releases, we analyzed changes in soil geochemistry and microbial community composition by comparing soils from within OG wastewater dump-affected samples to unaffected zones. We observed significant changes in soil geochemistry for all dump-affected compared with control samples, reflecting the residual salts and hydrocarbons from the OG-wastewater release (e.g., enriched in sodium, chloride, and bromide). Microbial community structure significantly ( P < 0.01) differed between dump and control zones, with soils from dump areas having significantly ( P < 0.01) lower alpha diversity and differences in phylogenetic composition. Dump-affected soil samples showed an increase in halophilic and halotolerant taxa, including members of the Marinobacteraceae, Halomonadaceae, and Halobacteroidaceae, suggesting that the high salinity of the dumped OG wastewater was exerting a strong selective pressure on microbial community structure. Taxa with high similarity to known hydrocarbon-degrading organisms were also detected in the dump-affected soil samples. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential for OG wastewater exposure to change the geochemistry and microbial community dynamics of arid soils. IMPORTANCE The long-term environmental health impacts resulting from releases of oil and gas (OG) wastewater, typically brines with varying compositions of ions, hydrocarbons, and other constituents, are understudied. This is especially true for sensitive desert ecosystems, where soil microbes are key primary producers and drivers of nutrient cycling. We found that releases of OG wastewater can lead to shifts in microbial community composition and function toward salt- and hydrocarbon-tolerant taxa that are not typically found in desert soils, thus altering the impacted dryland soil ecosystem. Loss of key microbial taxa, such as those that catalyze organic carbon cycling, increase arid soil fertility, promote plant health, and affect soil moisture retention, could result in cascading effects across the sensitive desert ecosystem. By characterizing environmental changes due to releases of OG wastewater to soils overlying the Permian Basin, we gain further insights into how OG wastewater may alter dryland soil microbial functions and ecosystems.

show abstract

Using Biological Responses to Monitor Freshwater Post-Spill Conditions over 3 years in Blacktail Creek, North Dakota, USA

Cited by 3 publications

References 74 publications

Elevated Radium Activity in a Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Aquifer

Elevated Radium Activity in a Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Aquifer

Ammonia and aquatic ecosystems – A review of global sources, biogeochemical cycling, and effects on fish

Illegal dumping of oil and gas wastewater alters arid soil microbial communities

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About