An Analysis of Water Quality in the Oldest Hydrocarbon Basin in the USA, Jennifer Baka, PhD скачать в хорошем качестве

An Analysis of Water Quality in the Oldest Hydrocarbon Basin in the USA, Jennifer Baka, PhD

This presentation will review results of our ongoing study examining the relationship between groundwater contamination and unconventional oil and development (UOGD) in Southwestern PA (SWPA), one of the most intensively drilled portions of the Marcellus Shale basin. In the summer and fall of 2024, our team gathered water samples from 97 private groundwater wells, springs, and streams to evaluate potential UOGD-related contamination for groundwaters in close proximity to: Chloride hotspots, identified in our team’s previous research; UOGD wastewater impoundments that were removed by regulatory authorities; Wellpad spills and brownfield cleanup sites. Geochemical and radiation analyses were conducted on the samples to test for the presence of various dissolved constituents including heavy metals, dissolved gases, and radioactive species. A household survey and literature review were simultaneously conducted to: A. better understand household demographics, well characteristics, and land use practices of sampled homes; and B. to explore for potential public health risks from exposure to analytes found to be above safe drinking water thresholds in our water sampling analysis.