Wastewater generated during petroleum extraction (produced water) may contain high concentrations of dissolved organics due to their intimate association with organic-rich source rocks, expelled petroleum, and organic additives to fluids used for hydraulic fracturing of unconventional (e.g., shale) reservoirs. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) within produced water represents a challenge for treatment prior to beneficial reuse. High salinities characteristic of produced water, often 10× greater than seawater, coupled to the complex DOM ensemble create analytical obstacles with typical methods. Excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMS) can rapidly characterize the fluorescent component of DOM with little impact from matrix effects. We applied EEMS to evaluate DOM composition in 18 produced water samples from six North American unconventional petroleum plays. Represented reservoirs include the Eagle Ford Shale (Gulf Coast Basin), Wolfcamp/Cline Shales (Permian Basin), Marcellus Shale and Utica/Point Pleasant (Appalachian Basin), Niobrara Chalk (Denver-Julesburg Basin), and the Bakken Formation (Williston Basin). Results indicate that the relative chromophoric DOM composition in unconventional produced water may distinguish different lithologies, thermal maturity of resource types (e.g., heavy oil vs. dry gas), and fracturing fluid compositions, but is generally insensitive to salinity and DOM concentration. These results are discussed with perspective toward DOM influence on geochemical processes and the potential for targeted organic compound treatment for the reuse of produced water.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2022 |
|---|---|
| Title | Dissolved organic matter within oil and gas associated wastewaters from U.S. unconventional petroleum plays: Comparisons and consequences for disposal and reuse |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156331 |
| Authors | Bonnie McDevitt, Aaron M. Jubb, Matthew S. Varonka, Madalyn S. Blondes, Mark A Engle, Tanya J. Gallegos, Jenna L. Shelton |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Science of the Total Environment |
| Index ID | 70232190 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Eastern Energy Resources Science Center; Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center |
Related Content
Bonnie McDevitt
Research Engineer
Matthew Varonka, Ph.D.
Research Chemist
Madalyn S. Blondes, Ph.D.
Research Geologist
Mark A Engle (Former Employee)
Supervisory Research Geologist
Tanya J Gallegos, Ph.D.
Associate Program Coordinator / Research Engineer
Jenna L Shelton, Ph.D.
Associate Program Coordinator, U.S. GeoFramework Initiative & STATEMAP
Related Content
- Connect
Bonnie McDevitt
Research EngineerEmailPhoneMatthew Varonka, Ph.D.
Research ChemistEmailPhoneMadalyn S. Blondes, Ph.D.
Research GeologistEmailPhoneMark A Engle (Former Employee)
Supervisory Research GeologistTanya J Gallegos, Ph.D.
Associate Program Coordinator / Research EngineerEmailPhoneJenna L Shelton, Ph.D.
Associate Program Coordinator, U.S. GeoFramework Initiative & STATEMAPEmailPhone