Collaborative Research: Ultrahigh-Resolution Analyses of Organic Constituents in Shale Well Fluids and their Environmental Persistence

水平钻井与水力压裂完井技术相结合，在美国开发了巨大的页岩气资源，并已成为美国乃至全球越来越重要的能源来源。2012年，页岩气是美国最大的天然气来源，天然气产量为9.7万亿立方英尺，占天然气总产量的40%；然而，这种技术需要使用大量的水和化学添加剂的可变组合，每种添加剂都由许多成分组成，主要是有机的。该项目侧重于压裂液的特性及其对地表水和地下水的潜在不利影响。在西弗吉尼亚州的一个科学测试井场，这项研究将首次使用超高分辨率质谱技术，确定页岩井流体中有机质的详细分子特征，并在作业的前三年跟踪碳组成的演变。这一独特的机会将生成一个有机成分的综合数据库，该数据库将进入Marcellus页岩的非常规页岩气井，并在增加地层内停留时间后返回地面。此外，还将评估页岩废水中存在的潜在有害有机化合物的环境命运。该研究将有助于在不同的井作业阶段评估泄漏对健康的潜在影响。它将进一步指导对废水可处理性的评价和对地表溢出反应的解决方案。该项目的目标是：(1)在科学井作业的前三年，使用定向和非定向分析方法详细表征页岩气流体的分子组成；(2)评估有机成分的光化学和微生物降解以及详细的分子特征变化，包括代谢物的产生；(3)开展有意义的实验室实验，以了解微生物降解途径并评估潜在的毒性增加；(4)研究水力压裂液中有机化合物的光化学降解。页岩废水中有机成分的多样性、毒性和持久性对非常规页岩能源开发地区的水资源依赖社区产生直接影响。详细分析有机化学添加剂和页岩中浸出的有机物的转化途径，将指导科学地讨论意外的地表泄漏和地下污染可能对周围生态系统造成的潜在健康影响。未来几年，研究生和本科生将有独特的机会参与位于西弗吉尼亚州的Marcellus页岩能源环境实验室计划的钻井和压裂活动的研究和培训。通过校企合作，学生将参与非常规页岩气开发不同阶段的直接交流、观察和采样工作。研究教育将侧重于马里兰大学环境科学中心切萨皮克生物实验室（CBL）的一名研究生，俄亥俄州立大学的一名研究生以及夏季本科生实习（Sea Grant Maryland Research Experiences for本科生（REU））。CBL游客中心将举办有关页岩井流体相关水问题和废水处理重要性的展览。我们将与马里兰州所罗门的CBL游客中心合作，为7至12年级的学生举办一个暑期讲习班。

1604475 / 1604432Gonsior / MouserHorizontal drilling coupled to hydraulic fracturing well completion techniques has opened up vast shale gas resources in the US and has become increasingly important as an energy source both in the US and globally. In 2012, shale gas was the largest source of US natural gas, contributing 9.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, 40 % of the total natural gas production; however, this technique requires the use of large volumes of water combined with a variable combination of chemical additives, each composed of numerous constituents that are primarily organic-based. This project focuses on the characterization of fracking fluids and their potential to adversely impact both surface and ground water.This study will be the first to determine a detailed molecular characterization of organic matter in shale well fluids and track carbon composition evolution during the first three years of operation at a scientific test well site in West Virginia using ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry. This unique opportunity will generate a comprehensive database of organic constituents entering an unconventional shale gas well drilled into the Marcellus shale and returning to the surface after increasing residence time within the formation. Additionally, the environmental fate will be assessed for potentially hazardous organic compounds present in shale wastewaters. This study will aid in evaluations of potential health impacts of spills during different stages of well operation. It will further guide evaluations of wastewater treatability and solutions for surface spill responses. The goals of the project are: (1) To characterize in detail the molecular composition of shale gas fluids throughout the first three years of a scientific well operation using targeted and non-targeted analytical methods; (2) To evaluate the photochemical and microbial degradation of organic constituents along with detailed molecular characterization of changes including the production of metabolites; (3) To undertake meaningful laboratory-based experiments to understand microbial degradation pathways and to evaluate a potential increase in toxicity, and, (4) To study the photochemical degradation of organic compounds in hydraulic fracturing fluids. The diversity, toxicity and persistence of organic constituents in shale wastewaters have a direct impact on communities relying on water resources in areas being developed for unconventional shale energy. Detailed analyses of the transformation pathways of organic chemical additives and organics leached from shale will guide a scientifically based discussion about the potential health impacts accidental surface spills and subsurface contamination may have to surrounding ecosystems. Graduate and undergraduate students will have the unique opportunity to participate in research and training during drilling and fracturing campaigns planned at the Marcellus Shale Energy Environmental Laboratory, located in West Virginia, over the coming years. This will engage students in direct communication, observation, and sampling efforts during different phases of unconventional shale gas development through the established university-industry collaboration. Research education will focus on a graduate student located at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL), a graduate student at Ohio State University as well as undergraduate internships over the summer months (Sea Grant Maryland Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU). The CBL Visitor Center will host displays about the importance of shale well fluids related water issues and wastewater treatment. In partnership with the CBL visitor center here in Solomons, Maryland, we will host a summer workshop for 7-12th grade school students.