For over a decade, high-density hydraulic fracturing (HDHF) has relied on the use of hundreds of anthropogenic and geogenic organic chemicals in close proximity to residential areas. Current chemical exposure levels and groundwater vulnerabilities have not been established. Here, we conducted the largest groundwater sampling and characterization in northeastern Pennsylvania (<i>n</i>=94) to date. Volatile and semi-volatile organic contaminants (e.g., benzene) were below the maximum contaminant levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water, in spite of heavy hydraulic fracturing activity in the area. Similarly, gasoline range organic compounds (GRO) and diesel range organic compounds (DRO) were very low (0.27±0.09 – 4.30±0.13 ppb GRO and 1.0 – 101.6 ppb DRO). No correlations between organic concentration and ancillary geochemical indicators (e.g., methane or inorganic species) were found, suggesting no systematic source of these low levels of organic chemicals from HDHF. Using spatially-resolved hydrological modeling, we estimate that contaminant transport distances from gas wells over the relevant timeframes (e.g., less than 15 years) are short relative to the distance to the nearest gas wells (e.g., 5 km or less), even for highly mobile compounds. Considering the compounded effect of chemical degradation over these transport timescales, our measurement and modeling results suggest low likelihood of organic chemical contamination of groundwater in studied area. This highlights that local transport models are critical to determine vulnerability of drinking water sources to catastrophic chemical releases (e.g., surface spills or well blowouts), such that rapid response can be activated to protect public drinking water supplies.<br/>

Limited organic contamination of groundwater near high-density hydraulic fracturing activities: Role of hydrogeological conditions in northeastern Pennsylvania

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.