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Wang Y, Chen X, Chen L, Cheng X, Yang C, Chen G, Shu J, Liu W, Tiraferri A, Liu B. Ultra-efficient degradation of isoquinoline from shale gas wastewater with the diethylamine-ferrate(VI) system: The key role of Fe(IV)/Fe(V) active species. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2025; 492:138215. [PMID: 40239515 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2025] [Revised: 03/26/2025] [Accepted: 04/07/2025] [Indexed: 04/18/2025]
Abstract
Although isoquinoline (IQL) in shale gas wastewater contributes minimally to chemical oxygen demand, its potential high toxicity makes it an environmental risk factor that cannot be overlooked. This study introduces a synergistic diethylamine (Di)/ferrate (Fe(VI)) system for efficient degradation of IQL. Compared with Fe(VI) alone, the Di/Fe(VI) system demonstrated superior performance, achieving degradation efficiency of 80.5 %. The degradation rate constant of the Di/Fe(VI) system was almost 3-fold larger than that measured with Fe(VI) alone in the degradation of IQL. Mechanistic studies, including radical quenching, electron paramagnetic resonance, pre-mixed experiments, Raman spectroscopy, and probe compounds tests suggested that high-valent iron intermediates (Fe(IV/V)) were responsible for IQL degradation in the Di/Fe(VI) system. The presence of Di promoted the generation of Fe(IV)/Fe(V) by donating electrons. Based on the intermediates identified with GC-MS measurements and density functional theory calculations, three reaction pathways for IQL degradation were proposed. ECOSAR prediction and Escherichia coli toxicity tests showed that the toxicity of IQL was significantly reduced after treatment with Di/Fe(VI) system. Optimal IQL degradation occurred at higher Fe(VI)/Di concentrations and lower pH, with minimal interference from common ions or matrix components. The system also effectively degraded other organics (e.g., 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, 6-methylquinoline, diclofenac, carbamazepine), demonstrating broad applicability for refractory pollutant treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610207, China; Yibin Institute of Industrial Technology, Sichuan University, Yibin Park, Section 2, Lingang Ave., Cuiping District, Yibin, Sichuan 644000, China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610207, China; Yibin Institute of Industrial Technology, Sichuan University, Yibin Park, Section 2, Lingang Ave., Cuiping District, Yibin, Sichuan 644000, China
| | - Liang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610207, China; Yibin Institute of Industrial Technology, Sichuan University, Yibin Park, Section 2, Lingang Ave., Cuiping District, Yibin, Sichuan 644000, China
| | - Xin Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610207, China; Yibin Institute of Industrial Technology, Sichuan University, Yibin Park, Section 2, Lingang Ave., Cuiping District, Yibin, Sichuan 644000, China
| | - Chunyan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610207, China; Yibin Institute of Industrial Technology, Sichuan University, Yibin Park, Section 2, Lingang Ave., Cuiping District, Yibin, Sichuan 644000, China
| | - Guijing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610207, China; Yibin Institute of Industrial Technology, Sichuan University, Yibin Park, Section 2, Lingang Ave., Cuiping District, Yibin, Sichuan 644000, China
| | - Jingyu Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610207, China; Yibin Institute of Industrial Technology, Sichuan University, Yibin Park, Section 2, Lingang Ave., Cuiping District, Yibin, Sichuan 644000, China
| | - Wen Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Alberto Tiraferri
- Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin 10129, Italy
| | - Baicang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610207, China; Yibin Institute of Industrial Technology, Sichuan University, Yibin Park, Section 2, Lingang Ave., Cuiping District, Yibin, Sichuan 644000, China.
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Dong S, Yan PF, Mezzari MP, Abriola LM, Pennell KD, Cápiro NL. Using Network Analysis and Predictive Functional Analysis to Explore the Fluorotelomer Biotransformation Potential of Soil Microbial Communities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:7480-7492. [PMID: 38639388 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Microbial transformation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including fluorotelomer-derived PFAS, by native microbial communities in the environment has been widely documented. However, few studies have identified the key microorganisms and their roles during the PFAS biotransformation processes. This study was undertaken to gain more insight into the structure and function of soil microbial communities that are relevant to PFAS biotransformation. We collected 16S rRNA gene sequencing data from 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate biotransformation studies conducted in soil microcosms under various redox conditions. Through co-occurrence network analysis, several genera, including Variovorax, Rhodococcus, and Cupriavidus, were found to likely play important roles in the biotransformation of fluorotelomers. Additionally, a metagenomic prediction approach (PICRUSt2) identified functional genes, including 6-oxocyclohex-1-ene-carbonyl-CoA hydrolase, cyclohexa-1,5-dienecarbonyl-CoA hydratase, and a fluoride-proton antiporter gene, that may be involved in defluorination. This study pioneers the application of these bioinformatics tools in the analysis of PFAS biotransformation-related sequencing data. Our findings serve as a foundational reference for investigating enzymatic mechanisms of microbial defluorination that may facilitate the development of efficient microbial consortia and/or pure microbial strains for PFAS biotransformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Dong
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, 214 Riley-Robb Hall, 111 Wing Drive, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Peng-Fei Yan
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, 214 Riley-Robb Hall, 111 Wing Drive, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Melissa P Mezzari
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Linda M Abriola
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Kurt D Pennell
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Natalie L Cápiro
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, 214 Riley-Robb Hall, 111 Wing Drive, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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Kashani M, Engle MA, Kent DB, Gregston T, Cozzarelli IM, Mumford AC, Varonka MS, Harris CR, Akob DM. Illegal dumping of oil and gas wastewater alters arid soil microbial communities. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0149023. [PMID: 38294246 PMCID: PMC10880632 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01490-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The Permian Basin, underlying southeast New Mexico and west Texas, is one of the most productive oil and gas (OG) provinces in the United States. Oil and gas production yields large volumes of wastewater with complex chemistries, and the environmental health risks posed by these OG wastewaters on sensitive desert ecosystems are poorly understood. Starting in November 2017, 39 illegal dumps, as defined by federal and state regulations, of OG wastewater were identified in southeastern New Mexico, releasing ~600,000 L of fluid onto dryland soils. To evaluate the impacts of these releases, we analyzed changes in soil geochemistry and microbial community composition by comparing soils from within OG wastewater dump-affected samples to unaffected zones. We observed significant changes in soil geochemistry for all dump-affected compared with control samples, reflecting the residual salts and hydrocarbons from the OG-wastewater release (e.g., enriched in sodium, chloride, and bromide). Microbial community structure significantly (P < 0.01) differed between dump and control zones, with soils from dump areas having significantly (P < 0.01) lower alpha diversity and differences in phylogenetic composition. Dump-affected soil samples showed an increase in halophilic and halotolerant taxa, including members of the Marinobacteraceae, Halomonadaceae, and Halobacteroidaceae, suggesting that the high salinity of the dumped OG wastewater was exerting a strong selective pressure on microbial community structure. Taxa with high similarity to known hydrocarbon-degrading organisms were also detected in the dump-affected soil samples. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential for OG wastewater exposure to change the geochemistry and microbial community dynamics of arid soils.IMPORTANCEThe long-term environmental health impacts resulting from releases of oil and gas (OG) wastewater, typically brines with varying compositions of ions, hydrocarbons, and other constituents, are understudied. This is especially true for sensitive desert ecosystems, where soil microbes are key primary producers and drivers of nutrient cycling. We found that releases of OG wastewater can lead to shifts in microbial community composition and function toward salt- and hydrocarbon-tolerant taxa that are not typically found in desert soils, thus altering the impacted dryland soil ecosystem. Loss of key microbial taxa, such as those that catalyze organic carbon cycling, increase arid soil fertility, promote plant health, and affect soil moisture retention, could result in cascading effects across the sensitive desert ecosystem. By characterizing environmental changes due to releases of OG wastewater to soils overlying the Permian Basin, we gain further insights into how OG wastewater may alter dryland soil microbial functions and ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Kashani
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, Virginia, USA
| | - Mark A. Engle
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Douglas B. Kent
- U.S. Geological Survey, Earth Systems Processes Division, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | | | - Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, Virginia, USA
| | - Adam C. Mumford
- U.S. Geological Survey, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew S. Varonka
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, Virginia, USA
| | - Cassandra R. Harris
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, Virginia, USA
| | - Denise M. Akob
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, Virginia, USA
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Zhou Z, Wu F, Tong Y, Zhang S, Li L, Cheng F, Zhang B, Zeng X, Yu Z, You J. Toxicity and chemical characterization of shale gas wastewater discharged to the receiving water: Evidence from toxicity identification evaluation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169510. [PMID: 38154638 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Flowback and produced water (FPW) generated from shale gas extraction is a complex mixture consisting of injected drilling fluid, deep formation water, and byproducts of downhole reactions. Limited knowledge is available regarding the impact of discharged FPW on surface water in China. With the development of shale gas exploitation, this emphasizes an urgent need for comprehensive assessments and stringent regulations to ensure the safe disposal of shale gas extraction-related wastewater. Herein, we explored potential impacts of treated shale gas wastewater discharged into a local river in southwest China through toxicity identification evaluation (TIE). Results revealed that organics and particulates significantly contributed to the overall toxicity of the treated FPW wastewater. Through target and suspect chemical analyses, various categories of organic contaminants were detected, including alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, biocides, phenols, and phthalates. Furthermore, non-target analysis uncovered the presence of surfactant-related contaminants in tissues of exposed organisms, but their contribution to the observed toxicity was unclear due to the lack of effect data for these compounds. Higher toxicity was found at the discharge point compared with upstream sites; however, the toxicity was rapidly mitigated due to dilution in the receiving river, posing little impact on downstream areas. Our study highlighted the importance of monitoring toxicity and water quality of FPW effluent even though dilution could be a viable approach when the water volume in the discharge was small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Zhou
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Fan Wu
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Yujun Tong
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Shaoqiong Zhang
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Liang Li
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Fei Cheng
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Biao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environment and Resources, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xiangying Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environment and Resources, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zhiqiang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environment and Resources, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Jing You
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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Zhong C, Nesbø CL, von Gunten K, Zhang Y, Shao X, Jin R, Konhauser KO, Goss GG, Martin JW, He Y, Qian PY, Lanoil BD, Alessi DS. Complex impacts of hydraulic fracturing return fluids on soil microbial community respiration, structure, and functional potentials. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:4108-4123. [PMID: 35416402 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The consequences of soils exposed to hydraulic fracturing (HF) return fluid, often collectively termed flowback and produced water (FPW), are poorly understood, even though soils are a common receptor of FPW spills. Here, we investigate the impacts on soil microbiota exposed to FPW collected from the Montney Formation of western Canada. We measured soil respiration, microbial community structure, and functional potentials under FPW exposure across a range of concentrations, exposure time, and soil types (luvisol and chernozem). We find that soil type governs microbial community response upon FPW exposure. Within each soil, FPW exposure led to reduced biotic soil respiration, and shifted microbial community structure and functional potentials. We detect substantially higher species richness and more unique functional genes in FPW-exposed soils than in FPW-unexposed soils, with metagenome-assembled genomes (e.g., Marinobacter persicus) from luvisol soil exposed to concentrated FPW being most similar to genomes from HF/FPW sites. Our data demonstrate the complex impacts of microbial communities following FPW exposure, and highlight the site-specific effects in evaluation of spills and agricultural reuse of FPW on the normal soil functions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhong
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E3, Canada.,Department of Ocean Science and Hong Kong Branch of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Camilla L Nesbø
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Konstantin von Gunten
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Xiaoqing Shao
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Rong Jin
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - Kurt O Konhauser
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - Greg G Goss
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Jonathan W Martin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Yuhe He
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pei-Yuan Qian
- Department of Ocean Science and Hong Kong Branch of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Brian D Lanoil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Daniel S Alessi
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E3, Canada
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McLaughlin MC, McDevitt B, Miller H, Amundson KK, Wilkins MJ, Warner NR, Blotevogel J, Borch T. Constructed wetlands for polishing oil and gas produced water releases. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:1961-1976. [PMID: 34723304 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00311a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Produced water (PW) is the largest waste stream associated with oil and gas (O&G) operations and contains petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, salts, naturally occurring radioactive materials and any remaining chemical additives. In some areas in Wyoming, constructed wetlands (CWs) are used to polish PW downstream of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) PW release points. In recent years, there has been increased interest in finding lower cost options, such as CWs, for PW treatment. The goal of this study was to understand the efficacy of removal and environmental fate of O&G organic chemical additives in CW systems used to treat PW released for agricultural beneficial reuse. To achieve this goal, we analyzed water and sediment samples for organic O&G chemical additives and conducted 16S rRNA gene sequencing for microbial community characterization on three such systems in Wyoming, USA. Three surfactants (polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, and nonylphenol ethoxylates) and one biocide (alkyldimethylammonium chloride) were detected in all three PW discharges and >94% removal of all species from PW was achieved after treatment in two CWs in series. These O&G extraction additives were detected in all sediment samples collected downstream of PW discharges. Chemical and microbial analyses indicated that sorption and biodegradation were the main attenuation mechanisms for these species. Additionally, all three discharges showed a trend of increasingly diverse, but similar, microbial communities with greater distance from NPDES PW discharge points. Results of this study can be used to inform design and management of constructed wetlands for produced water treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly C McLaughlin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, 1320 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
| | - Bonnie McDevitt
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 212 Sackett Building, University Park, PA 16801, USA
| | - Hannah Miller
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, 1170 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
| | - Kaela K Amundson
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, 1170 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
| | - Michael J Wilkins
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, 1170 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
| | - Nathaniel R Warner
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 212 Sackett Building, University Park, PA 16801, USA
| | - Jens Blotevogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, 1320 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
| | - Thomas Borch
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, 1320 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, 1170 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, 1872 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523, USA
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Akob DM, Mumford AC, Fraser A, Harris CR, Orem WH, Varonka MS, Cozzarelli IM. Oil and Gas Wastewater Components Alter Streambed Microbial Community Structure and Function. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:752947. [PMID: 34938277 PMCID: PMC8686200 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.752947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread application of directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies expanded oil and gas (OG) development to previously inaccessible resources. A single OG well can generate millions of liters of wastewater, which is a mixture of brine produced from the fractured formations and injected hydraulic fracturing fluids (HFFs). With thousands of wells completed each year, safe management of OG wastewaters has become a major challenge to the industry and regulators. OG wastewaters are commonly disposed of by underground injection, and previous research showed that surface activities at an Underground Injection Control (UIC) facility in West Virginia affected stream biogeochemistry and sediment microbial communities immediately downstream from the facility. Because microbially driven processes can control the fate and transport of organic and inorganic components of OG wastewater, we designed a series of aerobic microcosm experiments to assess the influence of high total dissolved solids (TDS) and two common HFF additives-the biocide 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA) and ethylene glycol (an anti-scaling additive)-on microbial community structure and function. Microcosms were constructed with sediment collected upstream (background) or downstream (impacted) from the UIC facility in West Virginia. Exposure to elevated TDS resulted in a significant decrease in aerobic respiration, and microbial community analysis following incubation indicated that elevated TDS could be linked to the majority of change in community structure. Over the course of the incubation, the sediment layer in the microcosms became anoxic, and addition of DBNPA was observed to inhibit iron reduction. In general, disruptions to microbial community structure and function were more pronounced in upstream and background sediment microcosms than in impacted sediment microcosms. These results suggest that the microbial community in impacted sediments had adapted following exposure to OG wastewater releases from the site. Our findings demonstrate the potential for releases from an OG wastewater disposal facility to alter microbial communities and biogeochemical processes. We anticipate that these studies will aid in the development of useful models for the potential impact of UIC disposal facilities on adjoining surface water and shallow groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise M. Akob
- United States Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA, United States
| | - Adam C. Mumford
- United States Geological Survey, Water Mission Area, Reston, VA, United States
| | - Andrea Fraser
- United States Geological Survey, Water Mission Area, Reston, VA, United States
| | - Cassandra R. Harris
- United States Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA, United States
| | - William H. Orem
- United States Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA, United States
| | - Matthew S. Varonka
- United States Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA, United States
| | - Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
- United States Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA, United States
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Akbari A, David C, Rahim AA, Ghoshal S. Salt selected for hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and enhanced hydrocarbon biodegradation in slurry bioreactors. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 202:117424. [PMID: 34332190 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hydrocarbon and salt contamination of surface and groundwater resources often co-occur from oil production activities. However, salt is often considered as a potential inhibitor of microbial activity. The feasibility of microbiome-based biotechnologies to treat the hydrocarbon contamination is contingent on the ability of the indigenous community to adapt to saline conditions. Here, we demonstrate enhanced hydrocarbon biodegradation in soil slurries under saline conditions of up to ~1 M (5%) compared to non-saline systems and the underlying causes. The mineralization extent of hexadecane was enhanced by salinity in the absence of nutrients. Salinity, similar to nutrients, enhanced the mineralization but through ecological selection. Microbial community analysis indicated a significant enrichment of Actinobacteria phylum and an increase in the absolute abundance of the hydrocarbon-degrading Dietzia genus, but a decrease in the total population size with salinity. Moreover, the in situ expression of alkane hydroxylases genes of Dietzia was generally increased with salinity. The data demonstrate that indigenous halotolerant hydrocarbon degraders were enriched, and their hydrocarbon degradation genes upregulated under saline conditions. These findings have positive implications for engineered biotreatment approaches for hydrocarbons in saline environments such as those affected with produced waters and oil sands tailing ponds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Akbari
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Carolyn David
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Arshath Abdul Rahim
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Subhasis Ghoshal
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada.
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9
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Zhong C, Zolfaghari A, Hou D, Goss GG, Lanoil BD, Gehman J, Tsang DCW, He Y, Alessi DS. Comparison of the Hydraulic Fracturing Water Cycle in China and North America: A Critical Review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:7167-7185. [PMID: 33970611 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
There is considerable debate about the sustainability of the hydraulic fracturing (HF) water cycle in North America. Recently, this debate has expanded to China, where HF activities continue to grow. Here, we provide a critical review of the HF water cycle in China, including water withdrawal practices and flowback and produced water (FPW) management and their environmental impacts, with a comprehensive comparison to the U.S. and Canada (North America). Water stress in arid regions, as well as water management challenges, FPW contamination of aquatic and soil systems, and induced seismicity are all impacts of the HF water cycle in China, the U.S., and Canada. In light of experience gained in North America, standardized practices for analyzing and reporting FPW chemistry and microbiology in China are needed to inform its efficient and safe treatment, discharge and reuse, and identification of potential contaminants. Additionally, conducting ecotoxicological studies is an essential next step to fully reveal the impacts of accidental FPW releases into aquatic and soil ecosystems in China. From a policy perspective, the development of China's unconventional resources lags behind North America's in terms of overall regulation, especially with regard to water withdrawal, FPW management, and routine monitoring. Our study suggests that common environmental risks exist within the world's two largest HF regions, and practices used in North America may help prevent or mitigate adverse effects in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhong
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ashkan Zolfaghari
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Greg G Goss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Brian D Lanoil
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joel Gehman
- Department of Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Management, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuhe He
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Daniel S Alessi
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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10
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Acharya SM, Chakraborty R, Tringe SG. Emerging Trends in Biological Treatment of Wastewater From Unconventional Oil and Gas Extraction. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:569019. [PMID: 33013800 PMCID: PMC7509137 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.569019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Unconventional oil and gas exploration generates an enormous quantity of wastewater, commonly referred to as flowback and produced water (FPW). Limited freshwater resources and stringent disposal regulations have provided impetus for FPW reuse. Organic and inorganic compounds released from the shale/brine formation, microbial activity, and residual chemicals added during hydraulic fracturing bestow a unique as well as temporally varying chemical composition to this wastewater. Studies indicate that many of the compounds found in FPW are amenable to biological degradation, indicating biological treatment may be a viable option for FPW processing and reuse. This review discusses commonly characterized contaminants and current knowledge on their biodegradability, including the enzymes and organisms involved. Further, a perspective on recent novel hybrid biological treatments and application of knowledge gained from omics studies in improving these treatments is explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shwetha M Acharya
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Romy Chakraborty
- Department of Ecology, Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Susannah G Tringe
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
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11
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Jiang Y, You M, Li S, Xu Y, Wang Y. Perinatal exposure to nonylphenol delayed myelination in offspring cerebellum. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 178:114120. [PMID: 32589996 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
As a stable environmental contaminant, nonylphenol (NP) has been shown to induce some neurological deficits in the cerebellum, although the underlying mechanism is still unknown. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of perinatal exposure to NP on myelination, an important process essential for the intact cerebellar function, in the offspring cerebellum. Exposure to NP delayed the myelination in the offspring cerebellum during perinatal period. The myelination recovered in the cerebellum of offspring exposed to NP over time, and returned to normal in adulthood. In addition, perinatal exposure to NP reduced mature oligodendrocytes (myelin-forming glial cells) and increased astrocytes in the offspring cerebellum. BMP signaling is believed to negatively regulate oligodendrogliogenesis and myelination. In the present study, BMP4, p-Smad1/5, and ID4, key members of BMP signaling, were increased in the cerebellum of offspring exposed to NP. Taken together, these lines of evidence suggest that the activation of BMP signaling may underlie the decreased oligodendrogliogenesis and increased astrogliogenesis, and the consequent delay of myelination in the cerebellum of offspring perinatally exposed to NP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjing Jiang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Mingdan You
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Siyao Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.
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12
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McLaughlin MC, Borch T, McDevitt B, Warner NR, Blotevogel J. Water quality assessment downstream of oil and gas produced water discharges intended for beneficial reuse in arid regions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 713:136607. [PMID: 31955100 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Produced water (PW) is the largest waste stream associated with oil and gas extraction and contains organics, salts, metals and radioactive materials. In the United States, west of the 98th meridian, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System exemption allows for release of PW to surface waters for agricultural beneficial reuse if it is "of good enough quality". Due to the complex and variable composition of PW, the downstream impacts of these releases are not fully understood. In this study, a detailed chemical analysis was conducted on a stream composed of PW released for agricultural beneficial reuse. Over 50 geogenic and anthropogenic organic chemicals not specified in the effluent limits were detected at the discharge including hydrocarbons, halogenated compounds, and surfactants. Most were removed within 15 km of the discharge due to volatilization, biodegradation, and sorption to sediment. Inorganics detected at the discharge were within regulatory effluent limits. While some inorganic species (i.e., strontium, barium and radium) decreased in concentration downstream due to co-precipitation, concentrations of many inorganic species including sodium, sulfate and boron increased due to water evaporation. Consequently, downstream water quality changes need to be considered to adequately evaluate the potential impact of discharged PW. Regulatory health thresholds for humans, livestock, and aquatic species for most chemical species present at the discharge are still lacking. As a result, toxicity tests are necessary to determine the potential health impacts to downstream users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly C McLaughlin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, 1320 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Thomas Borch
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, 1320 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, 1872 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, 1170 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| | - Bonnie McDevitt
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Nathaniel R Warner
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Jens Blotevogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, 1320 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
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13
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Lipinski BM, Morris LS, Silberstein MN, Coates GW. Isotactic Poly(propylene oxide): A Photodegradable Polymer with Strain Hardening Properties. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:6800-6806. [PMID: 32223226 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c01768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Leakage and accumulation of highly stable commercial plastics has led to substantial contamination of the environment. Highly isotactic poly(propylene oxide) (iPPO) was investigated as a potential high-strength thermoplastic with greater susceptibility toward degradation under ambient conditions. Various stereoregular forms of iPPO including enantiopure, enantioenriched, racemic, and stereoblock were synthesized with a single catalyst architecture in the presence of chain transfer agents. These materials were found to possess the same approximate ultimate tensile strength (UTS) via uniaxial tensile elongation analysis (∼75 MPa). A serrated tensile response corresponding to stress oscillations was observed in all forms of iPPO. An investigation on strain rate dependence showed that an increase in strain rate results in the decay and disappearance of the serrated response. Further evaluation of iPPO revealed its dramatic strain hardening afforded an UTS comparable to that of nylon-6,6. Exposing iPPO to UVA light (365 nm) resulted in photolytic degradation. Following 30 days of continuous exposure at 250 μW cm-2, the Mn decreased from 93 kDa to 21 kDa, while samples not exposed to UVA light remained unchanged. Through selective stabilization with antioxidant additives, we believe iPPO could be a suitable replacement for nylon-6,6 in environmentally susceptible applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce M Lipinski
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-1301, United States
| | - Lilliana S Morris
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-1301, United States
| | - Meredith N Silberstein
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-7501, United States
| | - Geoffrey W Coates
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-1301, United States
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14
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Dufour A, Thiébaut D, Ligiero L, Loriau M, Vial J. Chromatographic behavior and characterization of polydisperse surfactants using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography hyphenated to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2020; 1614:460731. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2019.460731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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15
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Cierniak D, Woźniak-Karczewska M, Parus A, Wyrwas B, Loibner AP, Heipieper HJ, Ławniczak Ł, Chrzanowski Ł. How to accurately assess surfactant biodegradation-impact of sorption on the validity of results. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 104:1-12. [PMID: 31729532 PMCID: PMC6942571 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10202-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Surfactants not only are widely used in biotechnological processes but also constitute significant contaminants of the modern world. Among many reports, there is a shortage of works which summarize the issue of surfactant sorption to biomass in a way that would elucidate the biological factors for analysts and analytical factors for microbiologists. The main factor, which is not as obvious as one would expect, is associated with the susceptibility of analytical approaches to errors resulting from incorrect handling of biomass. In case of several publications reviewed in the framework of this study, it was not possible to establish whether the decrease of the analytical signal observed by the authors actually resulted from biodegradation of the surfactant. This review emphasizes the necessity to consider the possibility of surfactant sorption to microbial cells, which may result in significant detection errors as well as conceptual inconsistency. In addition, a reference study regarding representative surfactants (cationic, anionic and non-ionic) as well as yeast, Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria, and activated sludge was provided to highlight the possible errors which may arise from disregarding sorption processes when determining degradation of surfactants. This particularly applies to systems which include ionic surfactants and activated sludge as sorption may account for 90% of the observed depletion of the surfactant. Therefore, a systematic approach was proposed in order to improve the credibility of the obtained results. Finally, the need to employ additional procedures was highlighted which may be required in order to verify that the decrease of surfactant concentration results from biodegradation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Cierniak
- Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, Bedrychowo 4, 60-965, Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Woźniak-Karczewska
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Pl. M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 2, 60-965, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Parus
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Pl. M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 2, 60-965, Poznan, Poland
| | - Bogdan Wyrwas
- Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, Bedrychowo 4, 60-965, Poznan, Poland
| | - Andreas P Loibner
- IFA-Tulln, BOKU-University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 3430, Vienna, Tulln, Austria
| | - Hermann J Heipieper
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Łukasz Ławniczak
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Pl. M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 2, 60-965, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Łukasz Chrzanowski
- Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Pl. M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 2, 60-965, Poznan, Poland.,Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
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16
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Evans MV, Getzinger G, Luek JL, Hanson AJ, McLaughlin MC, Blotevogel J, Welch SA, Nicora CD, Purvine SO, Xu C, Cole DR, Darrah TH, Hoyt DW, Metz TO, Lee Ferguson P, Lipton MS, Wilkins MJ, Mouser PJ. In situ transformation of ethoxylate and glycol surfactants by shale-colonizing microorganisms during hydraulic fracturing. THE ISME JOURNAL 2019; 13:2690-2700. [PMID: 31243331 PMCID: PMC6794257 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-019-0466-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade, extensive application of hydraulic fracturing technologies to unconventional low-permeability hydrocarbon-rich formations has significantly increased natural-gas production in the United States and abroad. The injection of surface-sourced fluids to generate fractures in the deep subsurface introduces microbial cells and substrates to low-permeability rock. A subset of injected organic additives has been investigated for their ability to support biological growth in shale microbial community members; however, to date, little is known on how complex xenobiotic organic compounds undergo biotransformations in this deep rock ecosystem. Here, high-resolution chemical, metagenomic, and proteomic analyses reveal that widely-used surfactants are degraded by the shale-associated taxa Halanaerobium, both in situ and under laboratory conditions. These halotolerant bacteria exhibit surfactant substrate specificities, preferring polymeric propoxylated glycols (PPGs) and longer alkyl polyethoxylates (AEOs) over polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and shorter AEOs. Enzymatic transformation occurs through repeated terminal-end polyglycol chain shortening during co-metabolic growth through the methylglyoxal bypass. This work provides the first evidence that shale microorganisms can transform xenobiotic surfactants in fracture fluid formulations, potentially affecting the efficiency of hydrocarbon recovery, and demonstrating an important association between injected substrates and microbial growth in an engineered subsurface ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan V Evans
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Gordon Getzinger
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Jenna L Luek
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - Andrea J Hanson
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Molly C McLaughlin
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Jens Blotevogel
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Susan A Welch
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Carrie D Nicora
- Earth & Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Samuel O Purvine
- Earth & Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Chengdong Xu
- Earth & Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - David R Cole
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Thomas H Darrah
- School of Earth Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - David W Hoyt
- Earth & Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Thomas O Metz
- Earth & Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - P Lee Ferguson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Mary S Lipton
- Earth & Biological Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Michael J Wilkins
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Paula J Mouser
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA.
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17
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McAdams BC, Carter KE, Blotevogel J, Borch T, Hakala JA. In situ transformation of hydraulic fracturing surfactants from well injection to produced water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2019; 21:1777-1786. [PMID: 31588952 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00153k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Chemical changes to hydraulic fracturing fluids (HFFs) within fractured unconventional reservoirs may affect hydrocarbon recovery and, in turn, the environmental impact of unconventional oil and gas development. Ethoxylated alcohol surfactants, which include alkyl ethoxylates (AEOs) and polyethylene glycols (PEGs), are often present in HFF as solvents, non-emulsifiers, and corrosion inhibitors. We present detailed analysis of polyethoxylates in HFF at the time of injection into three hydraulically fractured Marcellus Shale wells and in the produced water returning to the surface. Despite the addition of AEOs to the injection fluid during almost all stages, they were rarely detected in the produced water. Conversely, while PEGs were nearly absent in the injection fluid, they were the dominant constituents in the produced water. Similar numbers of ethoxylate units support downhole transformation of AEOs to PEGs through central cleavage of the ethoxylate chain from the alkyl group. We also observed a decrease in the average ethoxylate (EO) number of the PEG-EOs in the produced water over time, consistent with biodegradation during production. Our results elucidate an overlooked surfactant transformation pathway that may affect the efficacy of HFF to maximize oil and gas recovery from unconventional shale reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon C McAdams
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, United States Department of Energy, 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236, USA.
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18
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Sun C, Zhang Y, Alessi DS, Martin JW. Nontarget profiling of organic compounds in a temporal series of hydraulic fracturing flowback and produced waters. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 131:104944. [PMID: 31284105 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing (HF) flowback and produced water (FPW) can be toxic to aquatic life but its chemical content is largely unknown, variable and complex. Seven FPW samples were collected from a HF operation in the Duvernay Formation (Alberta, Canada) over 30 days of flowback and characterized by a nontarget workflow based on high performance liquid chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). A modified Kendrick mass defect plot and MS/MS spectral interpretation revealed seven series of homologues composed of ethylene oxide (i.e. -CH2CH2O-), among which a series of aldehydes was proposed as degradation products of polyethylene glycols, and two series of alkyl ethoxylate carboxylates could be proprietary HF additives. Many other ions were confidently assigned a formula by accurate mass measurement and were subsequently prioritized for identification by matching to records in ChemSpider and the US EPA's CompTox Chemistry Dashboard. Quaternary ammonium compounds, amine oxides, organophosphorous compounds, phthalate diesters and hydroxyquinoline were identified with high confidence by MS/MS spectra (Level 3), matching to reference spectra in MassBank (Level 2) or to authentic standards (Level 1). Temporal trends showed that most of the compounds declined in abundance over the first nine days of flowback, except for phthalate diesters and hydroxyquinoline that were still observed on Day 30 and had disappearance half-lives of 61 and 91 days, respectively. All the compounds followed first-order disappearance kinetics in flowback, except for polyoxygenated acids which followed second-order kinetics. This analysis and the workflow, based largely on public on-line databases, enabled profiling of complex organic compounds in HF-FPW, and will likely be useful for further understanding the toxicity and chemical fate of HF-FPW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxing Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Daniel S Alessi
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - Jonathan W Martin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2G3, Canada; Department of Environmental Sciences and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm 10691, Sweden.
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19
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García RA, Chiaia-Hernández AC, Lara-Martin PA, Loos M, Hollender J, Oetjen K, Higgins CP, Field JA. Suspect Screening of Hydrocarbon Surfactants in AFFFs and AFFF-Contaminated Groundwater by High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:8068-8077. [PMID: 31269393 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) are proprietary mixtures containing hydrocarbon surfactants and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) that are used to extinguish hydrocarbon-based fuel fires. There is limited information on hydrocarbon surfactants in AFFFs and AFFF-contaminated groundwater even though hydrocarbon surfactants are more abundant (5-10% w/w) than PFASs (0.9-1.5% w/w) in AFFFs. Eight commercial AFFFs manufactured between 1988 and 2012 and 10 AFFF-contaminated groundwaters collected from near source zones of fire-fighter training areas were analyzed for suspect hydrocarbon surfactants by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A suspect list and a homologous series detection computational tool, enviMass, were combined to screen for hydrocarbon surfactants. Nine classes of hydrocarbon surfactants were detected in AFFFs including octylphenol polyethoxylates, linear alcohol ethoxylates, ethoxylated cocoamines, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl amido dipropionates, linear alkyl benzenesulfonates, alkyl sulfates, and polyethylene glycols. Of those, six were also found in groundwater along with diethanolamines and alkyl amido betaines, which were not found in the eight archived AFFFs. This indicates that although aerobically biodegradable, hydrocarbon surfactants likely persist in groundwater due to anaerobic aquifer conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first screening for hydrocarbon surfactants in AFFFs and in AFFF-contaminated groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aurea C Chiaia-Hernández
- Institute of Geography and Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research , University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Pablo A Lara-Martin
- Department of Physical Chemistry , University of Cadiz, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences , Campus Rio San Pedro, CEI-MAR, Puerto Real , 11510 Cadiz , Spain
| | | | - Juliane Hollender
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology , Eawag , 8600 Dübendorf , Switzerland
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics (IBP) , ETH Zurich , 8092 Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Karl Oetjen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Colorado School of Mines , Golden , Colorado 80401 , United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Colorado School of Mines , Golden , Colorado 80401 , United States
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20
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Hanson AJ, Luek JL, Tummings SS, McLaughlin MC, Blotevogel J, Mouser PJ. High total dissolved solids in shale gas wastewater inhibit biodegradation of alkyl and nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 668:1094-1103. [PMID: 31018450 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing fluids are injected into unconventional oil and gas systems to stimulate hydrocarbon production, returning to the surface in flowback and produced waters containing a complex mixture of xenobiotic additives and geogenic compounds. Nonionic polyethoxylates are commonly added surfactants that act as weatherizers, emulsifiers, wetting agents, and corrosion inhibitors in hydraulic fracturing fluid formulations. Understanding the biodegradability of these ubiquitous additives is critical for produced water pre-treatment prior to reuse and for improving treatment trains for external beneficial reuse. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of produced water total dissolved solids (TDS) from an unconventional natural gas well on the aerobic biodegradation of alkyl ethoxylate and nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants. Changes in surfactant concentrations, speciation and metabolites, as well as microbial community composition and activity were quantified over a 75-day aerobic incubation period. Alkyl ethoxylates (AEOs) were degraded faster than nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs), and both compound classes and bulk organic carbon biodegraded slower in TDS treatments (10 g L-1, 40 g L-1) as compared to controls. Short-chain ethoxylates were more rapidly biodegraded than longer-chain ethoxylates, and changes in the relative abundance of metabolites including acetone, alcohols, and carboxylate and aldehyde intermediates of alkyl units indicated metabolic pathways may shift in the presence of higher produced water TDS. Our key finding that polyethoxylated alcohol surfactant additives are less labile at high TDS has important implications for produced water management, as these fluids are increasingly recycled for beneficial reuse in hydraulic fracturing fluids and other purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J Hanson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States
| | - Jenna L Luek
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States
| | - Shantal S Tummings
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Molly C McLaughlin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Jens Blotevogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Paula J Mouser
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States.
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21
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Rogers JD, Thurman EM, Ferrer I, Rosenblum JS, Evans MV, Mouser PJ, Ryan JN. Degradation of polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols in microcosms simulating a spill of produced water in shallow groundwater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2019; 21:256-268. [PMID: 30318550 DOI: 10.1039/c8em00291f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and polypropylene glycols (PPGs) are frequently used in hydraulic fracturing fluids and have been detected in water returning to the surface from hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells in multiple basins. We identified degradation pathways and kinetics for PEGs and PPGs under conditions simulating a spill of produced water to shallow groundwater. Sediment-groundwater microcosm experiments were conducted using four produced water samples from two Denver-Julesburg Basin wells at early and late production. High-resolution mass spectrometry was used to identify the formation of mono- and di-carboxylated PEGs and mono-carboxylated PPGs, which are products of PEG and PPG biodegradation, respectively. Under oxic conditions, first-order half-lives were more rapid for PEGs (<0.4-1.1 d) compared to PPGs (2.5-14 d). PEG and PPG degradation corresponded to increased relative abundance of primary alcohol dehydrogenase genes predicted from metagenome analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. Further degradation was not observed under anoxic conditions. Our results provide insight into the differences between the degradation rates and pathways of PEGs and PPGs, which may be utilized to better characterize shallow groundwater contamination following a release of produced water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica D Rogers
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 607 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
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Nell M, Helbling DE. Exploring matrix effects and quantifying organic additives in hydraulic fracturing associated fluids using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2019; 21:195-205. [PMID: 29790879 DOI: 10.1039/c8em00135a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing (HF) operations utilize millions of gallons of water amended with chemical additives including biocides, corrosion inhibitors, and surfactants. Fluids injected into the subsurface return to the surface as wastewaters, which contain a complex mixture of additives, transformation products, and geogenic chemical constituents. Quantitative analytical methods are needed to evaluate wastewater disposal alternatives or to conduct adequate exposure assessments. However, our narrow understanding of how matrix effects change the ionization efficiency of target analytes limits the quantitative analysis of polar to semi-polar HF additives by means of liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). To address this limitation, we explored the ways in which matrix chemistry influences the ionization of seventeen priority HF additives with a modified standard addition approach. We then used the data to quantify HF additives in HF-associated fluids. Our results demonstrate that HF additives generally exhibit suppressed ionization in HF-associated fluids, though HF additives that predominantly form sodiated adducts exhibit significantly enhanced ionization in produced water samples, which is largely the result of adduct shifting. In a preliminary screening, we identified glutaraldehyde and 2-butoxyethanol along with homologues of benzalkonium chloride (ADBAC), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polypropylene glycol (PPG) in HF-associated fluids. We then used matrix recovery factors to provide the first quantitative measurements of individual homologues of ADBAC, PEG, and PPG in HF-associated fluids ranging from mg L-1 levels in hydraulic fracturing fluid to low μg L-1 levels in PW samples. Our approach is generalizable across sample types and shale formations and yields important data to evaluate wastewater disposal alternatives or implement exposure assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Nell
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, 220 Hollister Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Akyon B, McLaughlin M, Hernández F, Blotevogel J, Bibby K. Characterization and biological removal of organic compounds from hydraulic fracturing produced water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2019; 21:279-290. [PMID: 30451271 DOI: 10.1039/c8em00354h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing generates large volumes of produced water, and treatment of produced water may be necessary for disposal or reuse. Biological treatment of produced water is a potential approach to remove organic constituents and reduce fouling, in conjunction with other treatment processes. This study investigates the biological treatability of produced water samples from the Utica and Bakken Shales using engineered biofilms. Observed total dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal varied between 1-87% at normalized total dissolved solids concentrations, suggesting that the composition of produced water, including organic constituents and trace elements such as nutrients and metals, is an important driver of biological treatment performance. Mass spectrometric analyses of the DOC composition revealed various alkanes in all samples, but differences in non-ionic surfactant, halogenated, and acidic compound content. Statistical data reduction approaches suggest that the latter two groups are correlated with reduced biodegradation kinetics. These results demonstrate that the combination of biodegradation performance and organic speciation can guide the assessment of the biological treatment of produced water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benay Akyon
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
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25
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Liden T, Santos IC, Hildenbrand ZL, Schug KA. Treatment modalities for the reuse of produced waste from oil and gas development. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 643:107-118. [PMID: 29936154 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Unconventional oil and gas development is achieved through a series of sub-processes, which utilize large amounts of water, proppant, and chemical additives to retrieve sequestered hydrocarbons from low permeability petroliferous strata. As a result, a large amount of wastewater is produced, which is traditionally disposed of via subsurface injection into non-productive stratum throughout the country. However, this method of waste management has been linked to the induction of seismic events in a number of regions across North America, calling into question the environmental stewardship and sustainability of subsurface waste disposal. Advancements in water treatment technologies have improved the efficacy and financial viability of produced water recycling for beneficial reuse in the oil and gas sector. This review will cover the various treatment options that are currently being utilized in shale energy basins to remove organic, inorganic, and biological constituents, as well as some emerging technologies that are designed to remove pertinent contaminants that would otherwise preclude the reuse of produced water for production well stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Liden
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, 700 Planetarium Place, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
| | - Inês C Santos
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, 700 Planetarium Place, Arlington, TX 76019, USA; Affiliate of Collaborative Laboratories for Environmental Analysis and Remediation, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
| | - Zacariah L Hildenbrand
- Affiliate of Collaborative Laboratories for Environmental Analysis and Remediation, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA; Inform Environmental, LLC, 6060 N. Central Expressway, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75206, USA.
| | - Kevin A Schug
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, 700 Planetarium Place, Arlington, TX 76019, USA; Affiliate of Collaborative Laboratories for Environmental Analysis and Remediation, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA.
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Membrane fouling and reusability in membrane distillation of shale oil and gas produced water: Effects of membrane surface wettability. J Memb Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2018.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Santos IC, Hildenbrand ZL, Schug KA. A Review of Analytical Methods for Characterizing the Potential Environmental Impacts of Unconventional Oil and Gas Development. Anal Chem 2018; 91:689-703. [PMID: 30392348 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Inês C Santos
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , The University of Texas at Arlington , 700 Planetarium Place , Arlington , Texas 76019 , United States.,Affiliate of Collaborative Laboratories for Environmental Analysis and Remediation , The University of Texas at Arlington , Arlington , Texas 76019 , United States
| | - Zacariah L Hildenbrand
- Affiliate of Collaborative Laboratories for Environmental Analysis and Remediation , The University of Texas at Arlington , Arlington , Texas 76019 , United States.,Inform Environmental, LLC , 6060 N. Central Expressway, Suite 500 , Dallas , Texas 75206 , United States
| | - Kevin A Schug
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , The University of Texas at Arlington , 700 Planetarium Place , Arlington , Texas 76019 , United States.,Affiliate of Collaborative Laboratories for Environmental Analysis and Remediation , The University of Texas at Arlington , Arlington , Texas 76019 , United States
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