Journal article
Linking otolith microchemistry and surface water contamination from natural gas mining
Environmental pollution (1987), v 240, pp 457-465
Sep 2018
PMID: 29754095
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Unconventional natural gas drilling and the use of hydraulic fracturing technology have expanded rapidly in North America. This expansion has raised concerns of surface water contamination by way of spills and leaks, which may be sporadic, small, and therefore difficult to detect. Here we explore the use of otolith microchemistry as a tool for monitoring surface water contamination from generated waters (GW) of unconventional natural gas drilling. We exposed Brook Trout in the laboratory to three volumetric concentrations of surrogate generated water (SGW) representing GW on day five of drilling. Transects across otolith cross-sections were analyzed for a suite of elements by LA-ICP-MS. Brook Trout exposed to a 0.01–1.0% concentration of SGW for 2, 15, and 30 days showed a significant (p < 0.05) relationship of increasing Sr and Ba concentrations in all but one treatment. Analyses indicate lesser concentrations than used in this experiment could be detectable in surface waters and provide support for the use of this technique in natural habitats. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of how trace elements in fish otoliths may be used to monitor for surface water contamination from GW.
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•Otolith microchemistry is a potential tool for monitoring stream contamination.•Brook Trout otoliths incorporate elements found in natural gas mining wastewater.•Fish exposed for 2, 15, and 30 days showed increased Sr and Ba concentrations.•Fish exposed to 0.01–1.0% concentrations of wastewater showed increased Sr and Ba.•Lesser concentrations should be detectable in surface waters of PA.
Surrogate generated water from unconventional natural gas drilling is detectable in fish otoliths.
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Details
- Title
- Linking otolith microchemistry and surface water contamination from natural gas mining
- Creators
- David H. Keller - Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversityPaula M. Zelanko - Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversityJoel E. Gagnon - University of WindsorRichard J. Horwitz - Drexel UniversityHeather S. Galbraith - Patuxent Wildlife Research CenterDavid J. Velinsky - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Environmental pollution (1987), v 240, pp 457-465
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES); Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000438322100049
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85046846876
- Other Identifier
- 991019168737704721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences