The application of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies, so-called �unconventional drilling,� is rapidly expanding to meet the global demand for natural gas. The rapid proliferation of these technologies has many scientists, citizens, and other stakeholders concerned about potential and uncharacterized environmental contamination. One specific concern that has recently gained media attention is the high level of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) present in solid and liquid wastes originating from the Marcellus Shale region. For example, several groups have documented high levels of radium isotopes in flowback and produced fluids from horizontally-fractured wells in the Marcellus Shale. A recent report illustrated that wastewater treatment plants that receive, treat and discharge liquid wastes from the Marcellus Shale have the potential to contaminate streams with radium (more than 200 times background). Yet, no research, to date, has examined the potential impacts of radium decay products lead-210 and polonium-210. Research from our laboratory indicates that these isotopes contribute significantly to the radioactivity of flowback water. We are conducting field studies to assess the environmental burden of these potential legacy pollutants.

Potential legacy pollution arising from naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) released during the disposal of wastes generated from unconventional drilling activities

248th National Meeting (2014)

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