Western Pennsylvanian concerns have risen surrounding Marcellus Shale natural gas wells. The drilling process created fractures in shale formations by fracking, or forcing fissures open, with the use of water, sand, chemicals, and other types of particulates. Concerns regarding the wells included seepage of chemicals and marine substances into the surrounding ecosystems and water treatment facilities. A control from this region was hard to establish based on the placement of Marcellus Shale wells in this region; as an alternative to a control, comparison of five different types of water sources was performed. Water samples were compared by determining properties such as the pH, salinity, turbidity, water hardness, and total hydrocarbon content. Methods included A Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy, pH sensors, EDTA titrations, and calcium and nitrate ion selective electrodes.

Water comparison study of Marcellus Shale effects

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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