Examining hydraulic fracturing chemicals: A temporal and comparative analysis.

Autor: Hill CB; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, United States. Electronic address: chill@kchillconsulting.com., Yadav OP; Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, United States; Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, United States. Electronic address: oyadav@ncat.edu., Khan E; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4015, United States. Electronic address: eakalak.khan@unlv.edu.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Water research [Water Res] 2022 Jan 01; Vol. 208, pp. 117878. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Nov 19.
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117878
Abstrakt: Hydraulic fracturing (HF) remains a current global energy policy issue, and understanding risks to drinking water resources from HF chemicals is an important aspect of this topic. The quantity and quality of disclosed HF chemical information are significant barriers for stakeholders attempting to perform systemic environmental and public health research. A repeatable approach for processing HF chemical disclosure data is provided using United States FracFocus data as a case study. We fill research gaps by examining HF chemical trends between 2014 and 2020 and comparing HF chemicals with a list of reference chemicals known or suspected to be in contact (unrelated to HF) with drinking water, food, or cosmetics. In total, 1,244 unique HF chemicals were identified. Compared with EPA's 2016 HF chemical disclosure research, 480 new chemicals are identified, and 318 previously reported chemicals were not observed. The annual unique chemical counts have dropped from 878 to 594 (32.3%) over the research period, while data quality and transparency have increased. Approximately 69.7% of the identified HF ingredients were found in a list of reference chemicals known or suspected to be in contact (unrelated to HF) with drinking water, food, or cosmetics. Chemical differences between production types (gas and oil) and states are also reviewed. Our research reveals that the sociotechnical system surrounding HF is dynamic and moving toward fewer and, in general, safer chemicals, for those that are disclosed. This study highlights opportunities for new and updated systemic research regarding HF chemical hazard dynamics and associated risk to drinking water resources.
(Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
Externí odkaz: