Life cycle thinking supports 21st‐century new pollutant and chemical management

Prioritizing Organic Pollutants for Shale Gas Exploitation: Life Cycle Environmental Risk Assessments in China and the US

“…To address the scarcity of concentration data, previous work established a physicochemical model to estimate concentrations of organic compounds in shale gas FPW, thereby bolstering the monitoring and management of high-risk chemicals . Furthermore, current research in China has predominantly focused on the target analysis of known compounds in shale gas wastewater, with limited exploration of unknown compounds. , Given the complex nature of chemical mixtures in shale gas wastewater, integrating big data, effect-directed analysis, and nontarget analysis can be beneficial in identifying key contributors to toxicity in this intricate system. − This comprehensive approach would deepen our understanding of the toxic effects associated with shale gas wastewater and enable the development of more effective mitigation strategies. Moreover, the absence of toxicity data for some identified compounds also hampers the proper risk assessment of the wastewater.…”

“…It could be traced back to ingredients such as quaternary ammonium surfactants used as drag reducers during drilling and fracturing. ,, This traceable relationship between environmental pollutants and their sources contributes to the development of pollutant prevention and control strategies. Furthermore, current research in China predominantly focused on target analysis of known compounds present in shale gas FPW, with limited exploration of unknown compounds. , Given the complexity of chemical mixtures in shale gas FPW, the combination of effect-directed analysis and nontarget analysis can be beneficial in identifying the specific drivers of toxicity within this intricate system, and can thus gain a deeper understanding of the toxic effects associated with shale gas FPW and effectively target their mitigation efforts. , …”

“…62 Furthermore, current research in China has predominantly focused on the target analysis of known compounds in shale gas wastewater, with limited exploration of unknown compounds. 57,63 Given the complex nature of chemical mixtures in shale gas wastewater, integrating big data, effect-directed analysis, and nontarget analysis can be beneficial in identifying key contributors to toxicity in this intricate system. 63−65 This comprehensive approach would deepen our understanding of the toxic effects associated with shale gas wastewater and enable the development of more effective mitigation strategies.…”

“…Furthermore, current research in China predominantly focused on target analysis of known compounds present in shale gas FPW, with limited exploration of unknown compounds. 57,63 Given the complexity of chemical mixtures in shale gas FPW, the combination of effect-directed analysis and nontarget analysis can be beneficial in identifying the specific drivers of toxicity within this intricate system, and can thus gain a deeper understanding of the toxic effects associated with shale gas FPW and effectively target their mitigation efforts. 63,64 It is also crucial to acknowledge the potential role of toxic pollutants beyond organic compounds, including heavy metals and radioactive elements.…”

“…57,63 Given the complexity of chemical mixtures in shale gas FPW, the combination of effect-directed analysis and nontarget analysis can be beneficial in identifying the specific drivers of toxicity within this intricate system, and can thus gain a deeper understanding of the toxic effects associated with shale gas FPW and effectively target their mitigation efforts. 63,64 It is also crucial to acknowledge the potential role of toxic pollutants beyond organic compounds, including heavy metals and radioactive elements. These additional contaminants may contribute to the overall environmental impacts associated with FPW throughout the life cycle of shale gas, potentially leading to an underestimation of environmental impacts.…”