Themed collection The environmental geochemistry and biology of hydraulic fracturing

21 items
Cover

Front cover

Graphical abstract: Front cover
Cover

Back cover

Graphical abstract: Back cover
Front/Back Matter

Contents list

Editorial

More than a decade of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling research

Guest editors Desiree Plata, Rob Jackson, Avner Vengosh and Paula Mouser introduce “The environmental geochemistry and biology of hydraulic fracturing” themed issue of Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts.

Graphical abstract: More than a decade of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling research
Paper

In situ transformation of hydraulic fracturing surfactants from well injection to produced water

Chemical changes to hydraulic fracturing fluids within fractured unconventional reservoirs may affect hydrocarbon recovery and, in turn, the environmental impact of unconventional oil and gas development.

Graphical abstract: In situ transformation of hydraulic fracturing surfactants from well injection to produced water
Paper

Effect of maturity and mineralogy on fluid-rock reactions in the Marcellus Shale

Maturity and mineralogy of shale significantly controls dissolution/precipitation reactions and release of organic contaminants during hydraulic fracturing.

Graphical abstract: Effect of maturity and mineralogy on fluid-rock reactions in the Marcellus Shale
Paper

Microbial lipid biomarkers detected in deep subsurface black shales

Evidence for microbes has been detected in extreme subsurface environments as deep as 2.5 km with temperatures as high as 90 °C, demonstrating that microbes can adapt and survive extreme environmental conditions.

Graphical abstract: Microbial lipid biomarkers detected in deep subsurface black shales
Paper

Assessing changes in groundwater chemistry in landscapes with more than 100 years of oil and gas development

Historical oil & gas development or using salt and production brines on roads for de-icing or dust abatement might impact groundwater chemistry.

Graphical abstract: Assessing changes in groundwater chemistry in landscapes with more than 100 years of oil and gas development
Paper

Characterization and implications of solids associated with hydraulic fracturing flowback and produced water from the Duvernay Formation, Alberta, Canada

Identifying the solids in flowback and produced water will improve treatment and reduce environmental risks.

Graphical abstract: Characterization and implications of solids associated with hydraulic fracturing flowback and produced water from the Duvernay Formation, Alberta, Canada
Paper

Flowback verses first-flush: new information on the geochemistry of produced water from mandatory reporting

Unconventional oil and gas development uses the subsurface injection of large amounts of a variety of industrial chemicals, and there are concerns about the return of these chemical to the surface with water produced with oil and gas from stimulated wells.

Graphical abstract: Flowback verses first-flush: new information on the geochemistry of produced water from mandatory reporting
Paper

Emerging investigator series: radium accumulation in carbonate river sediments at oil and gas produced water discharges: implications for beneficial use as disposal management

In the western U.S., produced water from oil and gas wells discharged to surface water augments downstream supplies used for irrigation and livestock watering.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: radium accumulation in carbonate river sediments at oil and gas produced water discharges: implications for beneficial use as disposal management
From the themed collection: Emerging Investigator Series
Paper

Radium in hydraulic fracturing wastewater: distribution in suspended solids and implications to its treatment by sulfate co-precipitation

More than half of Ra-226 in waste solid is labile, which can be immobilized by AMD with proper chemistry.

Graphical abstract: Radium in hydraulic fracturing wastewater: distribution in suspended solids and implications to its treatment by sulfate co-precipitation
Paper

Accuracy of methods for reporting inorganic element concentrations and radioactivity in oil and gas wastewaters from the Appalachian Basin, U.S. based on an inter-laboratory comparison

Results from this inter-laboratory comparison indicate that O&G waste analyses can be inaccurate and imprecise.

Graphical abstract: Accuracy of methods for reporting inorganic element concentrations and radioactivity in oil and gas wastewaters from the Appalachian Basin, U.S. based on an inter-laboratory comparison
Paper

Characterization and biological removal of organic compounds from hydraulic fracturing produced water

Hydraulic fracturing generates large volumes of produced water, and treatment of produced water may be necessary for disposal or reuse.

Graphical abstract: Characterization and biological removal of organic compounds from hydraulic fracturing produced water
Paper

Analysis of bacteria stress responses to contaminants derived from shale energy extraction

In order to survive environmental changes, bacteria have stress responses, which protect them from adverse and variable conditions.

Graphical abstract: Analysis of bacteria stress responses to contaminants derived from shale energy extraction
Paper

Raw material recovery from hydraulic fracturing residual solid waste with implications for sustainability and radioactive waste disposal

By applying a novel system to unconventional oil and gas residual waste, we were able to recover valuable raw materials, which could represent significant savings to disposal cost, while aiding radioactivity management.

Graphical abstract: Raw material recovery from hydraulic fracturing residual solid waste with implications for sustainability and radioactive waste disposal
Paper

Identifying groundwater compartmentalisation for hydraulic fracturing risk assessments

Groundwater quality and seismic reflection data are combined to identify compartmentalisation in the Bowland Basin, northwest England, thereby providing a method that could be applied to other prospective shale basins.

Graphical abstract: Identifying groundwater compartmentalisation for hydraulic fracturing risk assessments
Paper

Lab-simulated downhole leaching of formaldehyde from proppants by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), headspace gas chromatography-vacuum ultraviolet (HS-GC-VUV) spectroscopy, and headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS)

Different methods to analyze formaldehyde from proppants was investigated under lab-simulated downhole conditions.

Graphical abstract: Lab-simulated downhole leaching of formaldehyde from proppants by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), headspace gas chromatography-vacuum ultraviolet (HS-GC-VUV) spectroscopy, and headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS)
Paper

Organic sulfur fingerprint indicates continued injection fluid signature 10 months after hydraulic fracturing

Ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry used to identify unique organic sulfur signatures in hydraulic fracturing wastewaters likely associated with alcohol ethoxysulfate surfactants.

Graphical abstract: Organic sulfur fingerprint indicates continued injection fluid signature 10 months after hydraulic fracturing
Paper

Degradation of polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols in microcosms simulating a spill of produced water in shallow groundwater

Polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and their degradation products could be utilized to better characterize shallow groundwater contamination following a spill of produced water.

Graphical abstract: Degradation of polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols in microcosms simulating a spill of produced water in shallow groundwater
Paper

Exploring matrix effects and quantifying organic additives in hydraulic fracturing associated fluids using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was used to quantify chemical additives in water collected from unconventional shale gas wells.

Graphical abstract: Exploring matrix effects and quantifying organic additives in hydraulic fracturing associated fluids using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
21 items

About this collection

Horizontal Drilling with Hydraulic Fracturing (HDHF) has enabled rapid increases in oil and gas supplies, with these technologies now being applied for hydrocarbon development in shale basins across the globe. Concerns regarding the environmental impacts of HDHF technologies have spawned new research over the past 10 years. This Themed Issue, Guest Edited by ESPI Reviews Editor Desirée Plata (MIT), Rob Jackson (Stanford University), Paula Mouser (University of New Hampshire) and Avner Vengosh (Duke University) showcases work which reports state-of-the-art knowledge across a broad range of chemical classes (e.g., methane, light, and noble gases, hydrophilic and hydrophobic organic compounds, inorganic chemicals, isotope tracers, radioactive elements, and heavy or rare earth metals) and disciplines (e.g., environmental microbiology, geochemistry and biogeochemistry, fluid dynamics and hydrology, as well as public health and policy considerations) that integrate new research findings in environmental processes. We hope you enjoy reading the papers in this collection

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