impact of hydraulic fracturing on ohio’s infrastructure impact of hydraulic fracturing on ohio’s...
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Impact of Hydraulic Fracturing on Ohio’s Infrastructure
Impact of Hydraulic Fracturing on Ohio’s Infrastructure
David [email protected]
Potential Impacts
Landsliding and roads
Water supply
Seismic activity
Full Disclosure: I’m a geologist
• Relationship with extractive industries
• Placement of students
• Alumni relations
• Prudent development (know total cost)
• Geomorphic focus
Ohio’s Geology
Source: ODNR, Geologic Division
DevonianShale
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006-1237
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006-1237
Influence of Geology onGeography
Fracking’s Effect onRoads
500 bbl Frac Trailer
500 x 42 g/bbl x 8.35 lbs/g ≈87 tons
Source: ODNR Landslides in Ohio
Fracking’s Effect onWater
Fracking’s andSeismic Activity
Potential Environmental Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing
Impacts• Groundwater depletion•Water quality impacts• Air quality impacts• Greenhouse gas emissions
Impacts on Cincinnati
• DIRECT environmental impacts on the Cincinnati region are unlikely– Except if wastewater is imported here for disposal
Image source: ODNR Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management
Impacts on Cincinnati
• May have positive and/or negative economic impacts – Positive: due to increased commerce in Ohio– Negative: increased infrastructure and pollution
control costs
• Also: increased withdrawal and combustion of fossil fuels will negatively impact us all due to air pollution and climate change
Groundwater Depletion
• Each new well will require tens of millions of gallons for initial development
• Will this come from surface waters (Lake Erie, Ohio River) or groundwater aquifers? Unknown
• For reference: water use in Cincinnati is about 100 million gallons per day – so effects will likely be localized to fracking areas
Water Pollution• Two issues:• Chemicals added to water by drilling company– Salts– Acids– Ethylene glycol (antifreeze)– Biocides and algicides– “Proprietary” chemicals
• Chemicals produced by interactions with shales– Hydrocarbons (BTEX: benzenes, toluene, ethylbenzene,
xylene) – Additional salts– Radioactive isotopes
Water Pollution
• Disposal of fracking water– Surface disposal– Deep injection– Recycling– Treat and release
Image source: Journal of Petroleum Technology
Atmospheric impacts
• Ozone and smog from diesel-powered equipment
• Methane release– Explosive in high concentrations– Greenhouse gas (25 x carbon dioxide)
• “Fugitive” methane emissions may result in a higher overall carbon footprint for fracking than for coal
• Noise pollution
Source: FrocFocus.org
Source: FrocFocus.org