Monitoring radionuclides in subsurface drinking water sources near unconventional drilling operations: a pilot study

Andrew W Nelson; Andrew W Knight; Eric S Eitrheim; Michael K Schultz

doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.01.004

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Monitoring radionuclides in subsurface drinking water sources near unconventional drilling operations: a pilot study

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Monitoring radionuclides in subsurface drinking water sources near unconventional drilling operations: a pilot study

Andrew W Nelson, Andrew W Knight, Eric S Eitrheim and Michael K Schultz

Journal of environmental radioactivity, Vol.142, pp.24-28

04/2015

DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.01.004

PMCID: PMC6295908

PMID: 25622134

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/6295908View

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Abstract

Unconventional drilling (the combination of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling) to extract oil and natural gas is expanding rapidly around the world. The rate of expansion challenges scientists and regulators to assess the risks of the new technologies on drinking water resources. One concern is the potential for subsurface drinking water resource contamination by naturally occurring radioactive materials co-extracted during unconventional drilling activities. Given the rate of expansion, opportunities to test drinking water resources in the pre- and post-fracturing setting are rare. This pilot study investigated the levels of natural uranium, lead-210, and polonium-210 in private drinking wells within 2000 m of a large-volume hydraulic fracturing operation – before and approximately one-year following the fracturing activities. Observed radionuclide concentrations in well waters tested did not exceed maximum contaminant levels recommended by state and federal agencies. No statistically-significant differences in radionuclide concentrations were observed in well-water samples collected before and after the hydraulic fracturing activities. Expanded monitoring of private drinking wells before and after hydraulic fracturing activities is needed to develop understanding of the potential for drinking water resource contamination from unconventional drilling and gas extraction activities. [Display omitted] •Natural radionuclides in ground water near unconventional drilling operations were investigated.•Natural uranium (natU), lead-210 (210Pb), and polonium-210 (210Po) levels are described.•No statistically significant increases in natural radioactivity post-drilling were observed.

Hydraulic fracturing

Lead-210

NORM

Polonium-210

Unconventional drilling

Uranium

Details

Title: Subtitle: Monitoring radionuclides in subsurface drinking water sources near unconventional drilling operations: a pilot study
Creators: Andrew W Nelson - Interdisciplinary Human Toxicology Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Andrew W Knight - Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Eric S Eitrheim - Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Michael K Schultz - Interdisciplinary Human Toxicology Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of environmental radioactivity, Vol.142, pp.24-28
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.01.004
PMID: 25622134
PMCID: PMC6295908
NLM abbreviation: J Environ Radioact
ISSN: 0265-931X
eISSN: 1879-1700
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Language: English
Date published: 04/2015
Academic Unit: Radiology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Radiation Oncology
Record Identifier: 9984216589902771

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