Effect of Ultrafiltration–Reverse-Osmosis-Treated Shale Gas Wastewater on Seed Germination and Plant Growth

Abstract

The safe disposal or reclaim of shale gas flowback and produced water (SGFPW) is a significant challenge given the large amounts and typically heavy contamination. The high levels of total dissolved solids, particulate matter, and organics combined with naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and heavy metals reflect the composition of SGFPW, bearing potential environmental hazards of bioaccumulation of contaminants in localized areas of shale gas wastewater disposal. This study investigated the effects of ultrafiltration–reverse-osmosis-treated shale gas wastewater on vegetable seed germination, plant growth performance, and ion concentration in plants, which offered a momentous exploration of the feasibility study on agricultural use for SGFPW reuse. The resulting uptake of heavy metals by vegetables is relatively low, and the radioactive elements are reduced to a safe level as a result of treating water used for irrigation, selecting appropriate crops, and greenhouse cultivation. Through reduction of the bioaccumulation and metal concentrations from SGFPW to plants, this approach decreases health risks associated with NORM intake from edible vegetable biomass.

Safety and Technical Feasibility of Sustainable Reuse of Shale Gas Flowback and Produced Water after Advanced Treatment Aimed at Wheat Irrigation

“…The differences in germination performance may be mainly related to different salinity and heavy metal levels . In summary, the use of treated shale gas FPW was suitable in the germination stage of wheat seeds, consistent with previous reports related to leafy vegetable cultivation. , …”

“…The other study reported that simulated produced water used to irrigate nonfood biofuel crops resulted in significantly lower growth and worse physiological characteristics of the crops due to high PW salinity and excess organic carbon . However, a reverse osmosis (RO) effluent and a diluted forward osmosis (FO) draw solution were used for the short-term cultivation of some leafy vegetables (e.g., lettuce and Chinese cabbage) without significant adverse effects under certain circumstances; the FO draw solution was found to promote plant growth at different concentrations of salts. , …”

Virtual Special Issue of Recent Research Advances in China: Unconventional Gas

“…The second review by Zhang and Cheng is a mini review on the technical aspects of sample preparation and data analysis using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and ultrasmall-angle neutron scattering (USANS) for shale samples. The original research articles cover a wide spectrum of research on shale gas, including reservoir characteristics, ,,, reservoir modeling, ,,, exploration, equipment-related, ,, gas transport properties, ,,,, shale property characterization, , gas adsorption, ,, gas generation, produced water treatment, , methane conversion, etc.…”

Modulation of the Viscosity of Guar-Based Fracking Fluids Using Salts

“…In the United States alone, approximately 21 billion barrels of produced water were generated every year around the year 2009 . Disposal of produced water presents significant challenges due to the presence of contaminants, including salts and metals . These contaminants are due to the dissolution of fractured rock, which leads to high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) in produced water .…”

“…3 Disposal of produced water presents significant challenges due to the presence of contaminants, including salts and metals. 4 These contaminants are due to the dissolution of fractured rock, which leads to high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) in produced water. 5 TDS concentrations in produced water vary between brackish (10 000 mg/L) to nearly saturated (>260 000 mg/ L).…”