Impacts of fracking fluids on microbial communities in shale basins

将水力压裂注入液引入地下水环境有可能改变常驻微生物群落的组成和功能。尽管最近的几项研究测量了水力压裂页岩和相关水域中微生物的多样性和活动，但水力压裂液、排液和采出水对常驻微生物群落的潜在影响尚不清楚。这些流体可以改变微生物栖息地的化学成分，例如，通过改变代谢底物的可用性和类型、氧化还原状态、pH和盐度以及压力等物理参数。该项目将使用实验和计算机模拟相结合的方法来调查水力压裂液对微生物群落的潜在影响。基于实验室的微观实验将被用来测试微生物群落对水力压裂液和相关环境条件变化的响应，这将在实验室中进行操纵。将利用一系列不同的代谢过程，利用实地特定条件下的一系列不同代谢过程，进一步评估水力压裂液和相关环境变化对近地表和亚地表微生物生长速度的潜在影响。总体而言，这项工作将使更好地评估水力压裂的环境风险，并使学生能够在学术界、环境咨询、工业或公共部门追求职业生涯。

Introduction of fracking injection fluids to groundwater environments has the potential to alter the composition and function of resident microbial communities. Although several recent studies measured microbial diversities and activities in hydraulically fractured shales and associated waters, the potential impacts on resident microbial communities of fracking fluids, flowback and produced water are unknown. These fluids can change the chemistry of the microbial habitat, for example, by changing the availability and type of substrate for metabolism, the redox state, pH, and salinity, as well as physical parameters such as pressure. This project will investigate the potential effects of fracking fluids on microbial communities using a combined experimental and computer modelling approach.Laboratory-based microcosm experiments will be used to test the response of microbial communities to fracking fluids and related changing environmental conditions, which will be manipulated in the laboratory. Geochemical modelling will be used to further assess the potential effects of fracking fluids and associated environmental changes on the growth rates of near-surface and sub-surface microorganisms utilizing a range of different metabolic processes under field specific conditions. Overall, this work will enable better assessment of the environmental risks of fracking and will enable the student to pursue careers in academia, environmental consulting, industry or the public-sector.