Potential water-related environmental risks of hydraulic fracturing employed in exploration and exploitation of unconventional natural gas reservoirs in Germany

Bergmann, Axel; Weber, Frank-Andreas; Meiners, Hubert; Müller, Frank G.

doi:10.1186/2190-4715-26-10

Cited by 21 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 2 publications

(1 reference statement)

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“…For the majority of the substances used as fracking additives, no de minimis thresholds or other water-lawbased assessment values have yet been established. Therefore, hygienic guidance values for drinking water (GVDWmaximum concentration of a substance in drinking water that can be tolerated for a lifetime without suffering adverse effects on health) or health orientation values (HOV -precautionary value for substances that cannot (or can only partially) be toxicologically assessed [27]) and ecotoxicologically established Predicted No Effect Concentrations (PNEC -maximum concentration of a substance at which no effects on organisms of an aquatic ecosystem are expected [28]) were assessed for such substances, or derived using published methods, following the concept of LAWA [26].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential water-related environmental risks of hydraulic fracturing employed in exploration and exploitation of unconventional natural gas reservoirs in Germany

Bergmann

Weber

Meiners³

et al. 2014

Environ Sci Eur

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Background: The application of hydraulic fracturing during exploration and exploitation of unconventional natural gas reservoirs is currently under intense public discussion. On behalf of the German Federal Environment Agency we have investigated the potential water-related environmental risks for human health and the environment that could be caused by employing hydraulic fracturing in unconventional gas reservoirs in Germany. Here we provide an overview of the present situation and the state of the debate in Germany and summarize main results of the conducted risk assessment.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential water-related environmental risks of hydraulic fracturing employed in exploration and exploitation of unconventional natural gas reservoirs in Germany

Bergmann

Weber

Meiners³

et al. 2014

Environ Sci Eur

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“…Because of the uncompensated human and environmental damages associated with shale gas development, strategies to reduce risks of injuries should be considered (Bergmann et al 2014). One strategy is to employ BMPs that address activities to reduce risks of adverse consequences.…”

Section: Journal Of Environmental Planning and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of best management practices to respond to externalities from developing shale gas resources

Centner

Eberhart

2015

Journal of Environmental Planning and Management

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The public is concerned that activities accompanying hydraulic fracturing in the development of shale gas resources are unnecessarily adversely affecting them and the environment and is petitioning elected representatives to take actions to reduce risks. The health risks associated with fracturing chemicals and air pollutants are relatively unknown and constitute the impetus for public concern. An evaluation of state legal and regulatory provisions regarding best management practices discloses that states are not adopting timely regulations to protect people and the environment from activities accompanying hydraulic fracturing. Simultaneously, regulatory policy concerning negative externalities suggests that governments underinvest in the protection of human health and environmental quality. Governments have choices in protecting people from dangers that accompany shale gas development. Due to the risks of injuries and unpaid damages from shale gas development, governmental policies need to evolve to accord people greater health protection.

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“…Reaction mass of 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one and 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one ( this assessment, labeling of the considered frac fluids would not be necessary (ExxonMobile 2017). Another approach for the assessment of risks for health and ecological impacts by constituents of the frac fluid was introduced by Bergmann et al (2014). The authors defined a risk quotient by dividing the substance's concentration in the frac fluid by an assessment value.…”

Section: Chemical Namementioning

confidence: 99%

“…2). It should, however, be kept in mind that the approach by Bergmann et al (2014) uses the principles of drinking water assessment and, as such, may be critically discussed whether it represents an adequate basis. For example, the threshold values for groundwater were often justified by drinking water limit values or comparable derived toxicological guidance values.…”

Section: Chemical Namementioning

confidence: 99%

Critical evaluation of human health risks due to hydraulic fracturing in natural gas and petroleum production

Wollin¹,

Damm

Foth³

et al. 2020

Arch Toxicol

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The use of hydraulic fracturing (HF) to extract oil and natural gas has increased, along with intensive discussions on the associated risks to human health. Three technical processes should be differentiated when evaluating human health risks, namely (1) drilling of the borehole, (2) hydraulic stimulation, and (3) gas or oil production. During the drilling phase, emissions such as NO x , NMVOCs (non-methane volatile organic compounds) as precursors for tropospheric ozone formation, and SO x have been shown to be higher compared to the subsequent phases. In relation to hydraulic stimulation, the toxicity of frac fluids is of relevance. More than 1100 compounds have been identified as components. A trend is to use fewer, less hazardous and more biodegradable substances; however, the use of hydrocarbons, such as kerosene and diesel, is still allowed in the USA. Methane in drinking water is of low toxicological relevance but may indicate inadequate integrity of the gas well. There is a great concern regarding the contamination of ground-and surface water during the production phase. Water that flows to the surface from oil and gas wells, so-called 'produced water', represents a mixture of flow-back, the injected frac fluid returning to the surface, and the reservoir water present in natural oil and gas deposits. Among numerous hazardous compounds, produced water may contain bromide, arsenic, strontium, mercury, barium, radioactive isotopes and organic compounds, particularly benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX). The sewage outflow, even from specialized treatment plants, may still contain critical concentrations of barium, strontium and arsenic. Evidence suggests that the quality of groundwater and surface water may be compromised by disposal of produced water. Particularly critical is the use of produced water for watering of agricultural areas, where persistent compounds may accumulate. Air contamination can occur as a result of several HF-associated activities. In addition to BTEX, 20 HF-associated air contaminants are group 1A or 1B carcinogens according to the IARC. In the U.S., oil and gas production (including conventional production) represents the second largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions. High-quality epidemiological studies are required, especially in light of recent observations of an association between childhood leukemia and multiple myeloma in the neighborhood of oil and gas production sites. In conclusion, (1) strong evidence supports the conclusion that frac fluids can lead to local environmental contamination; (2) while changes in the chemical composition of soil, water and air are likely to occur, the increased levels are still often below threshold values for safety; (3) point source pollution due to poor maintenance of wells and pipelines can be monitored and remedied; (4) risk assessment should be based on both hazard and exposure evaluation; (5) while the concentrations of frac fluid chemicals are low, some are known carcinogens; therefore, thorough, well-designed st...

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Potential water-related environmental risks of hydraulic fracturing employed in exploration and exploitation of unconventional natural gas reservoirs in Germany

Cited by 21 publications

References 2 publications

Potential water-related environmental risks of hydraulic fracturing employed in exploration and exploitation of unconventional natural gas reservoirs in Germany

Potential water-related environmental risks of hydraulic fracturing employed in exploration and exploitation of unconventional natural gas reservoirs in Germany

The use of best management practices to respond to externalities from developing shale gas resources

Critical evaluation of human health risks due to hydraulic fracturing in natural gas and petroleum production

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