Hydraulic fracturing: a toxicological threat for groundwater and drinking-water?

Gordalla, Birgit C.; Ewers, U.; Frimmel, Fritz H.

doi:10.1007/s12665-013-2672-9

Cited by 135 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The lack of relevant data, such as 3D seismic surveys and pre-fracking hydraulic drill-hole tests, contrasts with the wide scientific activity initiated by the Damme 3 pilot fracking test and following public debate (Sauter et al 2012;Andruleit et al 2012;Meiners et al 2012;Gordalla et al 2013;Hammes et al 2013;Hübner et al 2013;Kerschke and Schulz 2013;Lange et al 2013;Olsson et al 2013).…”

Section: Model Site Geology and Hydrogeologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling the hypothetical methane-leakage in a shale-gas project and the impact on groundwater quality

Schwartz

2014

Environ Earth Sci

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The hypothetical leakage of methane gas caused by fracking a 1,000-m deep Cretaceous claystone horizon at Damme, Germany, is simulated in a TOUGH-REACT reactive-transport model with 5,728 elements. A hypothetical leakage zone connects the Cretaceous horizon with a Quaternary potable-water aquifer (q1). Methane gas rises up to the q1 horizon in less than 2 days in all calculated scenarios. The simulations include the major constituents of groundwater as well as the seven most hazardous trace components that are natural constituents of groundwater (As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Se and U). The general trend is characterised by depletion of the natural hazardous components with decreasing acidity and oxygen fugacity in the relevant pH range (7-9). Nevertheless, the concentrations of elements whose dominant aqueous species are negatively charged in this pH range (Cr and Se) rise against the general trend due to desorption reactions. Slight enhancement effects are produced by the dissolution of contaminant-bearing oxides such as Cr-bearing goethite. In summary, the geological risks of a fracking operation are minor. The technical risks are more important. This is especially the case when rising methane gas gets into contact with fracking fluid that accidentally escapes through faulty well seals.

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Section: Model Site Geology and Hydrogeologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling the hypothetical methane-leakage in a shale-gas project and the impact on groundwater quality

Schwartz

2014

Environ Earth Sci

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“…The current increase in energy needs is mainly driven by the increasing world population and industrialization [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Severe conflicts of interest are especially noteworthy regarding human life and the exploitation of energy resources [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Caving Model of Overburden Strata Movement Induced by Coal Mining

Peng

Xiang

et al. 2017

Energies

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Abstract:The broken pattern of the overburden strata induced by mining has a non-ignorable effect on overlying strata movement, failure, and safety in mining production. To study the caving pattern of overlying strata and determine the calculation method of fracture pathway parameters due to roof caving induced by coal mining, the trapezoidal broken models were developed to explain and prevent water leakage, and even water inrush, during the mining process. By incorporating the variation of the volume expansion coefficient, a connection among the parameters of the fracture pathways and fracture angles, face width, and mining height could be established, which shows that the larger the degree of the fracture angle is, the smaller the value of the volume expansion coefficient and face width is with a relatively larger mining height. This relationship was also used to determine the eventual evolution configuration of the trapezoidal broken model. The presented approaches may help us to better understand the movement of overburden strata and provide an idea to help settle conflicts related to fracture space calculations induced by coal mining.

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“…[119,120] Studies assessingt he toxicity of fracturingf luid are scarce and, to the authors knowledge,o nly four have been carried out to date.M aterial safety data sheet information and the European Unions Regulation No.1 272/2008h ave been used to assess the toxicity. [121,122] Hazard indicesc an also be calculated for differentc hemical formulae,p roviding au seful way of assessing the contributiono fe ach component to the overall toxicity (with biocides being am ajor contributor);t his,i n turn, allowsf or less toxic formulations to be produced and used. [123,124] In addition to fracturing fluid, drillingf luid is also needed, which is more toxic than fracturing fluid because of the large quantities of substances such as barite that it often contains.…”

Section: Watercontaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shale Gas: A Review of the Economic, Environmental, and Social Sustainability

2016

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The growth of the shale gas industry in the US has raised expectations that other nations could boost domestic gas production, leading to lower energy prices and improved energy security. However, the degree to which the US experience is transferable to other countries is uncertain. Furthermore, sustainability implications of shale gas development remain largely unknown. In an attempt to find out if and how shale gas could be exploited in a sustainable way, this paper reviews the economic, environmental, and social aspects of shale gas. These include costs, energy security, employment, water and land pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, earthquakes, and public perception. The literature suggests that it is possible to develop shale gas in a sustainable way, but its future will depend on the industry being able to address the environmental concerns, the political will to see the industry through to maturity, and public support, with the latter most likely being the biggest determinant.

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Hydraulic fracturing: a toxicological threat for groundwater and drinking-water?

Cited by 135 publications

References 16 publications

Modelling the hypothetical methane-leakage in a shale-gas project and the impact on groundwater quality

Modelling the hypothetical methane-leakage in a shale-gas project and the impact on groundwater quality

A Novel Caving Model of Overburden Strata Movement Induced by Coal Mining

Shale Gas: A Review of the Economic, Environmental, and Social Sustainability

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