Trace Levels of Organic Chemicals Limited to Local Reaches of a Stream near an Oil and Gas Wastewater Disposal Facility Completed
A View of the New River from the New River Gorge Bridge
in West Virginia
Organic contaminants that were present in Wolf Creek near a wastewater disposal facility were not evident farther downstream where Wolf Creek enters the New River. Wolf Creek and the New River are used for drinking water and recreational purposes.
The disposal of large volumes of wastewater is an issue facing the unconventional oil and gas (UOG) production industry. Significant progress has been made in recycling water used in hydraulic fracturing and reducing the amount of wastewater generated. Most of the remaining wastewater is disposed of by deep underground injection because the wastewater is unsuitable for disposal in standard wastewater treatment plants. The risks due to leaks, spills, and migration of these fluids into natural waters are unknown.
Previous U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) studies determined the presence of inorganic contaminants related to UOG production in a small intermittent tributary to Wolf Creek that runs through a wastewater injection and disposal facility in West Virginia. In this current study, the organic chemical composition (nonpurgeable dissolved organic carbon, extractable hydrocarbons, C1–C6 hydrocarbons, biocides, and disinfection byproducts) and cell line toxicity were assessed in stream water and sediment samples collected upstream from, within, and downstream from the disposal facility, and at a background site in a separate drainage basin.
This current study supports the previous work done by the USGS and shows that organic substances consistent with a source from wastewater originating from UOG production were observed in stream water and sediments at sites immediately downstream from the facility. Concentrations of organics were low and included compounds like 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)-ethanol; tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate; α, α-dimethyl-benzenemethanol; 3-ethyl-4-methyl-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione; and tetrahydro-thiophene-1,1-dioxide, which are all present in wastewater from UOG production. Toxicological assays of human cell line exposures to water and sediment from the creek showed minimal effects. Low-level organic contamination seems to be limited to the part of the creek immediately downstream from the facility. Organic contaminants were not evident farther downstream on Wolf Creek to the point where the tributary waters enter the New River, which are both used for drinking water and recreational purposes.
The USGS Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology) of the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area and the USGS Energy Resources Program funded this study.
Below are other science teams and laboratories associated with this work.
Energy Integrated Science Team
Examining Shifts in Stream Microbial Communities Exposed to Oil and Gas Wastewaters
Understanding Pathways of Unconventional Oil and Gas Produced Water Spills in the Environment
Indication of Unconventional Oil and Gas Wastewaters Found in Local Surface Waters
Fate and Effects of Wastes from Unconventional Oil and Gas Development
Microbiology and Chemistry of Waters Produced from Hydraulic Fracking—A Case Study
- Overview
Organic contaminants that were present in Wolf Creek near a wastewater disposal facility were not evident farther downstream where Wolf Creek enters the New River. Wolf Creek and the New River are used for drinking water and recreational purposes.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media DetailsThis West Virginia disposal facility disposes of wastewaters from unconventional oil and gas production in Class II underground injection control wells. Photo Credit: Kalla Leigh Fleger, USGS. The disposal of large volumes of wastewater is an issue facing the unconventional oil and gas (UOG) production industry. Significant progress has been made in recycling water used in hydraulic fracturing and reducing the amount of wastewater generated. Most of the remaining wastewater is disposed of by deep underground injection because the wastewater is unsuitable for disposal in standard wastewater treatment plants. The risks due to leaks, spills, and migration of these fluids into natural waters are unknown.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsU.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist measuring dissolved oxygen in a stream water sample. The scientist is part of a USGS team of scientists that are investigating the potential environmental effects of activities at an oil and gas wastewater injection facility in West Virginia. Scientists have found evidence indicating the presence of wastewaters in surface waters and surficial sediments near the facility. Photo Credit: Denise M. Akob, USGS. Previous U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) studies determined the presence of inorganic contaminants related to UOG production in a small intermittent tributary to Wolf Creek that runs through a wastewater injection and disposal facility in West Virginia. In this current study, the organic chemical composition (nonpurgeable dissolved organic carbon, extractable hydrocarbons, C1–C6 hydrocarbons, biocides, and disinfection byproducts) and cell line toxicity were assessed in stream water and sediment samples collected upstream from, within, and downstream from the disposal facility, and at a background site in a separate drainage basin.
This current study supports the previous work done by the USGS and shows that organic substances consistent with a source from wastewater originating from UOG production were observed in stream water and sediments at sites immediately downstream from the facility. Concentrations of organics were low and included compounds like 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)-ethanol; tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate; α, α-dimethyl-benzenemethanol; 3-ethyl-4-methyl-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione; and tetrahydro-thiophene-1,1-dioxide, which are all present in wastewater from UOG production. Toxicological assays of human cell line exposures to water and sediment from the creek showed minimal effects. Low-level organic contamination seems to be limited to the part of the creek immediately downstream from the facility. Organic contaminants were not evident farther downstream on Wolf Creek to the point where the tributary waters enter the New River, which are both used for drinking water and recreational purposes.
The USGS Environmental Health Program (Toxic Substances Hydrology and Contaminant Biology) of the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area and the USGS Energy Resources Program funded this study.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsA view of the New River from the New River Gorge Bridge, West Virgina. Wolf Creek is a tributary of the New River. Photo Credit: Denise M. Akob, USGS. - Science
Below are other science teams and laboratories associated with this work.
Energy Integrated Science Team
The Energy Lifecycle Integrated Science Team focuses on the potential for contaminant exposures in the environment that might originate from energy resource activities including, extraction, production, transportation, storage, extraction, waste management and restoration. Perceived health risks to humans and other organisms will be distinguished from actual risks, if any. If actual risks are...Examining Shifts in Stream Microbial Communities Exposed to Oil and Gas Wastewaters
Shifts in the overall microbial community structure were present in stream sediments that contained chemicals associated with unconventional oil and gas wastewaters. This work is part of a long-term study designed to understand persistence of chemicals from oil and gas wastewaters in sediments and water and how those factors might be related to exposures and adverse health effects, if any, on...Understanding Pathways of Unconventional Oil and Gas Produced Water Spills in the Environment
A new study measures the transport of chemicals associated with unconventional oil and gas (UOG) produced waters downstream from a pipeline leak in North Dakota. This work is part of a long-term study designed to understand chemical persistence in sediments and water and how those factors might be related to contaminant exposures and associated with adverse health effects, if any, on organisms.Indication of Unconventional Oil and Gas Wastewaters Found in Local Surface Waters
Evidence indicating the presence of wastewaters from unconventional oil and gas (UOG) production was found in surface waters and surficial sediments near an UOG disposal facility in West Virginia.Fate and Effects of Wastes from Unconventional Oil and Gas Development
This study is assessing the environmental health risks associated with wastes from unconventional oil and gas development by characterizing waste materials, identifying potential environmental pathways, and evaluating the potential effects on organisms from exposure to unintended waste releases.Microbiology and Chemistry of Waters Produced from Hydraulic Fracking—A Case Study
A new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study determined that the microbiology and organic chemistry of produced waters varied widely among hydraulically fractured shale gas wells in north-central Pennsylvania. - Publications