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Naturally-occurring Radioactive Materials Associated with Unconventional Drilling and Hydraulic Fracturing for Natural Gas Extraction in the United States – Flowback Water Analysis and Field Investigations
Oral Presentation
Prepared by A. Nelson1, M. Schultz2, A. Knight3, E. Eitrheim4
1 - University of Iowa, 500 Newton Road, E353 Chemistry Building, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
2 - The University of Iowa, 500 Newton Road, ML B180 FRRB, Iowa City, Iowa, 52240, United States
3 - The University of Iowa, E373 CB, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
4 - The University of Iowa, CB E373, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
Contact Information: andrew-w-nelson@uiowa.edu; 303-261-2656
ABSTRACT
New unconventional-drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies are demonstrating the potential to unlock significant reserves of natural gas in the United States. Recognition of the potential economic and sociopolitical benefits to society of these reserves has stimulated a rapid globalization of the technology. However, rapid proliferation of these new technologies has raised concerns about the potential for undesirable environmental impacts. Management of waste materials (liquid and solid) associated with unconventional drilling and hydraulic fracturing represents significant challenge related to the proliferation of the approach. Of the chemical constituents of concern, evidence demonstrates that significant quantities of naturally-occurring radioactive materials (NORM) are extracted from shale gas deposits through the process of hydraulic fracturing in the form of solid and liquid wastes. The potential for undesirable or unhealthy exposure to humans associated with NORM extracted during these processes is controversial. In this presentation, the origins, environmental chemistry, and “equilibrium-disequilibrium” relationships that determine the fate and potential transport of radionuclides in the natural uranium and thorium decay series associated with liquid and solid wastes are described.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by A. Nelson1, M. Schultz2, A. Knight3, E. Eitrheim4
1 - University of Iowa, 500 Newton Road, E353 Chemistry Building, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
2 - The University of Iowa, 500 Newton Road, ML B180 FRRB, Iowa City, Iowa, 52240, United States
3 - The University of Iowa, E373 CB, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
4 - The University of Iowa, CB E373, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
Contact Information: andrew-w-nelson@uiowa.edu; 303-261-2656
ABSTRACT
New unconventional-drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies are demonstrating the potential to unlock significant reserves of natural gas in the United States. Recognition of the potential economic and sociopolitical benefits to society of these reserves has stimulated a rapid globalization of the technology. However, rapid proliferation of these new technologies has raised concerns about the potential for undesirable environmental impacts. Management of waste materials (liquid and solid) associated with unconventional drilling and hydraulic fracturing represents significant challenge related to the proliferation of the approach. Of the chemical constituents of concern, evidence demonstrates that significant quantities of naturally-occurring radioactive materials (NORM) are extracted from shale gas deposits through the process of hydraulic fracturing in the form of solid and liquid wastes. The potential for undesirable or unhealthy exposure to humans associated with NORM extracted during these processes is controversial. In this presentation, the origins, environmental chemistry, and “equilibrium-disequilibrium” relationships that determine the fate and potential transport of radionuclides in the natural uranium and thorium decay series associated with liquid and solid wastes are described.