1
|
Stewart CB, Lowes HM, Mehler WT, Snihur KN, Flynn SL, Alessi DS, Blewett TA. Spatial and temporal variation in toxicity and inorganic composition of hydraulic fracturing flowback and produced water. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132490. [PMID: 37703728 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas extraction produces large volumes of wastewater, termed flowback and produced water (FPW), that are highly saline and contain a variety of organic and inorganic contaminants. In the present study, FPW samples from ten hydraulically fractured wells, across two geologic formations were collected at various timepoints. Samples were analyzed to determine spatial and temporal variation in their inorganic composition. Results indicate that FPW composition varied both between formations and within a single formation, with large compositional changes occurring over short distances. Temporally, all wells showed a time-dependent increase in inorganic elements, with total dissolved solids increasing by up to 200,000 mg/L over time, primarily due to elements associated with salinity (Cl, Na, Ca, Mg, K). Toxicological analysis of a subset of the FPW samples showed median lethal concentrations (LC50) of FPW to the aquatic invertebrate Daphnia magna were highly variable, with the LC50 values ranging from 1.16% to 13.7% FPW. Acute toxicity of FPW significantly correlated with salinity, indicating salinity is a primary driver of FPW toxicity, however organic components also contributed to toxicity. This study provides insight into spatiotemporal variability of FPW composition and illustrates the difficulty in predicting aquatic risk associated with FPW.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Connor B Stewart
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Hannah M Lowes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - W Tyler Mehler
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Katherine N Snihur
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shannon L Flynn
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel S Alessi
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tamzin A Blewett
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Antipina LY, Kotyakova KY, Tregubenko MV, Shtansky DV. Experimental and Theoretical Study of Sorption Capacity of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanoparticles: Implication for Wastewater Purification from Antibiotics. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3157. [PMID: 36144945 PMCID: PMC9501156 DOI: 10.3390/nano12183157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The constant accumulation of antibiotics and their degradation products in wastewater as a result of human activity poses a serious threat to humanity and other living beings. To contribute to solving this important problem, hollow hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles (BNNPs) with a spherical shape and smooth surface were synthesized, which were characterized as an efficient adsorbent for wastewater treatment from three types of antibiotics: ciprofloxacin (CIP), tetracycline (TC), and benzylpenicillin (BP). As follows from DFT calculations, the interaction of antibiotic molecules (AM) with the BN surface is neither purely physical nor purely chemical, and negative binding energy (BE) indicates that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. The calculated electron density redistributions at the AM/BN interfaces show that antibiotics interact with BN mainly through oxygen-containing groups. In addition, this interaction causes the BN surface to bend, which increases both the BE and the contact area. The removal efficiency of antibiotics (Re, %) depends on their initial concentration. At an initial concentration of 10 µg/mL, Re50 and Re100 were observed after 24 h and 14 days, respectively. With an increase in the initial concentration to 40 μg/mL, Re50 and Re100 were achieved after 5 and 28 days (with the exception of ciprofloxacin (~80% Re)). The maximum sorption capacity of BNNPs (qe) was determined to be 297.3 mg/g (TC), 254.8 mg/g (BP), and 238.2 mg/g (CIP), which is significantly superior to many other systems. Tetracycline is adsorbed much faster than the other two antibiotics, which is confirmed by both theoretical and experimental data. Based on the results of the DFT analysis, a simple and efficient sorbent regeneration strategy was proposed, which ensures complete removal of antibiotics after 14 (BP), 21 (TC), and 10 (CIP) days. Thus, the obtained results clearly show that BNNPs are promising sorbents for various classes of antibiotics, including aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and β-lactams.
Collapse
|
3
|
McDevitt B, Jubb AM, Varonka MS, Blondes MS, Engle MA, Gallegos TJ, Shelton JL. Dissolved organic matter within oil and gas associated wastewaters from U.S. unconventional petroleum plays: Comparisons and consequences for disposal and reuse. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156331. [PMID: 35640759 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie McDevitt
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA 20192, United States.
| | - Aaron M Jubb
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA 20192, United States
| | - Matthew S Varonka
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA 20192, United States
| | - Madalyn S Blondes
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA 20192, United States
| | - Mark A Engle
- Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States
| | - Tanya J Gallegos
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA 20192, United States
| | - Jenna L Shelton
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Reston, VA 20192, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tinker K, Lipus D, Gardiner J, Stuckman M, Gulliver D. The Microbial Community and Functional Potential in the Midland Basin Reveal a Community Dominated by Both Thiosulfate and Sulfate-Reducing Microorganisms. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0004922. [PMID: 35695567 PMCID: PMC9430316 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00049-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Permian Basin is the highest producing oil and gas reservoir in the United States. Hydrocarbon resources in this region are often accessed by unconventional extraction methods, including horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Despite the importance of the Permian Basin, there is no publicly available microbiological data from this region. We completed an analysis of Permian produced water samples to understand the dynamics present in hydraulically fractured wells in this region. We analyzed produced water samples taken from 10 wells in the Permian region of the Midland Basin using geochemical measurements, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and metagenomic sequencing. Compared to other regions, we found that Permian Basin produced water was characterized by higher sulfate and lower total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations, with a median of 1,110 mg/L and 107,000 mg/L. Additionally, geochemical measurements revealed the presence of frac hits, or interwell communication events where an established well is affected by the pumping of fracturing fluid into a new well. The occurrence of frac hits was supported by correlations between the microbiome and the geochemical parameters. Our 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified a produced water microbiome characterized by anaerobic, halophilic, and sulfur reducing taxa. Interestingly, sulfate and thiosulfate reducing taxa including Halanaerobium, Orenia, Marinobacter, and Desulfohalobium were the most prevalent microbiota in most wells. We further investigated the metabolic potential of microorganisms in the Permian Basin with metagenomic sequencing. We recovered 15 metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) from seven different samples representing 6 unique well sites. These MAGs corroborated the high presence of sulfate and thiosulfate reducing genes across all wells, especially from key taxa including Halanaerobium and Orenia. The observed microbiome composition and metabolic capabilities in conjunction with the high sulfate concentrations demonstrate a high potential for hydrogen sulfide production in the Permian Basin. Additionally, evidence of frac hits suggests the possibility for the exchange of microbial cells and/or genetic information between wells. This exchange would increase the likelihood of hydrogen sulfide production and has implications for the oil and gas industry. IMPORTANCE The Permian Basin is the largest producing oil and gas region in the United States and plays a critical role supplying national energy needs. Previous work in other basins has demonstrated that the geochemistry and microbiology of hydrocarbon regions can have a major impact on well infrastructure and production. Despite that, little work has been done to understand the complex dynamics present in the Permian Basin. This study characterizes and analyzes 10 unique wells and one groundwater sample in the Permian Basin using geochemical and microbial techniques. Across all wells we found a high number of classic and thiosulfate reducers, suggesting that hydrogen sulfide production may be especially prevalent in the Permian Basin. Additionally, our analysis revealed a biogeochemical signal impacted by the presence of frac hits, or interwell communication events where an established well is affected by the pumping of fracturing fluid into a new well. This information can be utilized by the oil and gas industry to improve oil recovery efforts and minimize commercial and environmental costs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kara Tinker
- National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- NETL Support Contractor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel Lipus
- National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Oakridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Potsdam, Germany
| | - James Gardiner
- National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- NETL Support Contractor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mengling Stuckman
- National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- NETL Support Contractor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Djuna Gulliver
- National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Produced Water Treatment and Valorization: A Techno-Economical Review. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15134619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, environmental concerns have urged companies in the energy sector to modify their industrial activities to facilitate greater environmental stewardship. For example, the practice of unconventional oil and gas extraction has drawn the ire of regulators and various environmental groups due to its reliance on millions of barrels of fresh water—which is generally drawn from natural sources and public water supplies—for hydraulic fracturing well stimulation. Additionally, this process generates two substantial waste streams, which are collectively characterized as flowback and produced water. Whereas flowback water is comprised of various chemical additives that are used during hydraulic fracturing; produced water is a complex mixture of microbiota, inorganic and organic constituents derived from the petroliferous strata. This review will discuss the obstacles of managing and treating flowback and produced waters, concentrating on the hardest constituents to remove by current technologies and their effect on the environment if left untreated. Additionally, this work will address the opportunities associated with repurposing produced water for various applications as an alternative to subsurface injection, which has a number of environmental concerns. This review also uses lithium to evaluate the feasibility of extracting valuable metals from produced water using commercially available technologies.
Collapse
|
6
|
Tao Z, Liu C, He Q, Chang H, Ma J. Detection and treatment of organic matters in hydraulic fracturing wastewater from shale gas extraction: A critical review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 824:153887. [PMID: 35181355 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Although shale gas has shown promising potential to alleviate energy crisis as a clean energy resource, more attention has been paid to the harmful environmental impacts during exploitation. It is a critical issue for the management of shale gas wastewater (SGW), especially the organic compounds. This review focuses on analytical methods and corresponding treatment technologies targeting organic matters in SGW. Firstly, detailed information about specific shale-derived organics and related organic compounds in SGW were overviewed. Secondly, the state-of-the art analytical methods for detecting organics in SGW were summarized. The gas chromatography paired with mass spectrometry was the most commonly used technique. Thirdly, relevant treatment technologies for SGW organic matters were systematically explored. Forward osmosis and membrane distillation ranked the top two most frequently used treatment processes. Moreover, quantitative analyses on the removal of general and single organic compounds by treatment technologies were conducted. Finally, challenges for the analytical methods and treatment technologies of organic matters in SGW were addressed. The lack of effective trace organic detection techniques and high cost of treatment technologies are the urgent problems to be solved. Advances in the extraction, detection, identification and disposal of trace organic matters are critical to address the issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Tao
- Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Caihong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Qiang He
- Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Haiqing Chang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China.
| | - Jun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150090, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jew AD, Druhan JL, Ihme M, Kovscek AR, Battiato I, Kaszuba JP, Bargar JR, Brown GE. Chemical and Reactive Transport Processes Associated with Hydraulic Fracturing of Unconventional Oil/Gas Shales. Chem Rev 2022; 122:9198-9263. [PMID: 35404590 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing of unconventional oil/gas shales has changed the energy landscape of the U.S. Recovery of hydrocarbons from tight, hydraulically fractured shales is a highly inefficient process, with estimated recoveries of <25% for natural gas and <5% for oil. This review focuses on the complex chemical interactions of additives in hydraulic fracturing fluid (HFF) with minerals and organic matter in oil/gas shales. These interactions are intended to increase hydrocarbon recovery by increasing porosities and permeabilities of tight shales. However, fluid-shale interactions result in the dissolution of shale minerals and the release and transport of chemical components. They also result in mineral precipitation in the shale matrix, which can reduce permeability, porosity, and hydrocarbon recovery. Competition between mineral dissolution and mineral precipitation processes influences the amounts of oil and gas recovered. We review the temporal/spatial origins and distribution of unconventional oil/gas shales from mudstones and shales, followed by discussion of their global and U.S. distributions and compositional differences from different U.S. sedimentary basins. We discuss the major types of chemical additives in HFF with their intended purposes, including drilling muds. Fracture distribution, porosity, permeability, and the identity and molecular-level speciation of minerals and organic matter in oil/gas shales throughout the hydraulic fracturing process are discussed. Also discussed are analysis methods used in characterizing oil/gas shales before and after hydraulic fracturing, including permeametry and porosimetry measurements, X-ray diffraction/Rietveld refinement, X-ray computed tomography, scanning/transmission electron microscopy, and laboratory- and synchrotron-based imaging/spectroscopic methods. Reactive transport and spatial scaling are discussed in some detail in order to relate fundamental molecular-scale processes to fluid transport. Our review concludes with a discussion of potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing and important knowledge gaps that must be bridged to achieve improved mechanistic understanding of fluid transport in oil/gas shales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Jew
- DOE EFRC─Center for Mechanistic Control of Water-Hydrocarbon-Rock Interactions in Unconventional and Tight Oil Formations, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.,Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
| | - Jennifer L Druhan
- DOE EFRC─Center for Mechanistic Control of Water-Hydrocarbon-Rock Interactions in Unconventional and Tight Oil Formations, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.,Departments of Geology and Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Matthias Ihme
- DOE EFRC─Center for Mechanistic Control of Water-Hydrocarbon-Rock Interactions in Unconventional and Tight Oil Formations, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Anthony R Kovscek
- DOE EFRC─Center for Mechanistic Control of Water-Hydrocarbon-Rock Interactions in Unconventional and Tight Oil Formations, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.,Department of Energy Resources Engineering, School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2220, United States
| | - Ilenia Battiato
- DOE EFRC─Center for Mechanistic Control of Water-Hydrocarbon-Rock Interactions in Unconventional and Tight Oil Formations, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.,Department of Energy Resources Engineering, School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2220, United States
| | - John P Kaszuba
- Department of Geology and Geophysics and School of Energy Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
| | - John R Bargar
- DOE EFRC─Center for Mechanistic Control of Water-Hydrocarbon-Rock Interactions in Unconventional and Tight Oil Formations, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.,Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
| | - Gordon E Brown
- DOE EFRC─Center for Mechanistic Control of Water-Hydrocarbon-Rock Interactions in Unconventional and Tight Oil Formations, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.,Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States.,Department of Geological Sciences, School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2115, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Emmons RV, Shyam Sunder GS, Liden T, Schug KA, Asfaha TY, Lawrence JG, Kirchhoff JR, Gionfriddo E. Unraveling the Complex Composition of Produced Water by Specialized Extraction Methodologies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:2334-2344. [PMID: 35080868 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Produced water (PW), a waste byproduct of oil and gas extraction, is a complex mixture containing numerous organic solubles and elemental species; these constituents range from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to naturally occurring radioactive materials. Identification of these compounds is critical in developing reuse and disposal protocols to minimize environmental contamination and health risks. In this study, versatile extraction methodologies were investigated for the untargeted analysis of PW. Thin-film solid-phase microextraction with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance particles was utilized for the extraction of organic solubles from eight PW samples from the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford formation in Texas. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis found a total of 266 different organic constituents including 1,4-dioxane, atrazine, pyridine, and PAHs. The elemental composition of PW was evaluated using dispersive solid-phase extraction followed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, utilizing a new coordinating sorbent, poly(pyrrole-1-carboxylic acid). This confirmed the presence of 29 elements including rare earth elements, as well as hazardous metals such as Cr, Cd, Pb, and U. Utilizing chemometric analysis, both approaches facilitated the discrimination of each PW sample based on their geochemical origin with a prediction accuracy above 90% using partial least-squares-discriminant analysis, paving the way for PW origin tracing in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald V Emmons
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
- Dr. Nina McClelland Laboratory for Water Chemistry and Environmental Analysis, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Govind Sharma Shyam Sunder
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
- Dr. Nina McClelland Laboratory for Water Chemistry and Environmental Analysis, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
- School of Green Chemistry and Engineering, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Tiffany Liden
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| | - Kevin A Schug
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
- Collaborative Laboratories for Environmental Analysis and Remediation, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| | - Timnit Yosef Asfaha
- Center for Materials and Sensor Characterization, College of Engineering, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Joseph G Lawrence
- Center for Materials and Sensor Characterization, College of Engineering, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Jon R Kirchhoff
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
- Dr. Nina McClelland Laboratory for Water Chemistry and Environmental Analysis, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
- School of Green Chemistry and Engineering, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| | - Emanuela Gionfriddo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
- Dr. Nina McClelland Laboratory for Water Chemistry and Environmental Analysis, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
- School of Green Chemistry and Engineering, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Fong KK, Tan IS, Foo HCY, Lam MK, Tiong ACY, Lim S. Optimization and evaluation of reduced graphene oxide hydrogel composite as a demulsifier for heavy crude oil-in-water emulsion. Chin J Chem Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2020.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
10
|
Yang X, Chen Z, Zhao W, Liu C, Qian X, Zhang M, Wei G, Khan E, Hau Ng Y, Sik Ok Y. Recent advances in photodegradation of antibiotic residues in water. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL (LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND : 1996) 2021; 405:126806. [PMID: 32904764 PMCID: PMC7457966 DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotics are widely present in the environment due to their extensive and long-term use in modern medicine. The presence and dispersal of these compounds in the environment lead to the dissemination of antibiotic residues, thereby seriously threatening human and ecosystem health. Thus, the effective management of antibiotic residues in water and the practical applications of the management methods are long-term matters of contention among academics. Particularly, photocatalysis has attracted extensive interest as it enables the treatment of antibiotic residues in an eco-friendly manner. Considerable progress has been achieved in the implementation of photocatalytic treatment of antibiotic residues in the past few years. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent developments on this important topic. This review primarily focuses on the application of photocatalysis as a promising solution for the efficient decomposition of antibiotic residues in water. Particular emphasis was laid on improvement and modification strategies, such as augmented light harvesting, improved charge separation, and strengthened interface interaction, all of which enable the design of powerful photocatalysts to enhance the photocatalytic removal of antibiotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuru Yang
- College of Materials and Chemistry, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Xiasha Higher Education Zone Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- College of Materials and Chemistry, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Xiasha Higher Education Zone Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Wan Zhao
- College of Materials and Chemistry, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Xiasha Higher Education Zone Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Chunxi Liu
- College of Materials and Chemistry, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Xiasha Higher Education Zone Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Qian
- College of Materials and Chemistry, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Xiasha Higher Education Zone Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Xiasha Higher Education Zone Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Guoying Wei
- College of Materials and Chemistry, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Xiasha Higher Education Zone Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Eakalak Khan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Yun Hau Ng
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center, APRU Sustainable Waste Management & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Acharya SM, Chakraborty R, Tringe SG. Emerging Trends in Biological Treatment of Wastewater From Unconventional Oil and Gas Extraction. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:569019. [PMID: 33013800 PMCID: PMC7509137 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.569019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Unconventional oil and gas exploration generates an enormous quantity of wastewater, commonly referred to as flowback and produced water (FPW). Limited freshwater resources and stringent disposal regulations have provided impetus for FPW reuse. Organic and inorganic compounds released from the shale/brine formation, microbial activity, and residual chemicals added during hydraulic fracturing bestow a unique as well as temporally varying chemical composition to this wastewater. Studies indicate that many of the compounds found in FPW are amenable to biological degradation, indicating biological treatment may be a viable option for FPW processing and reuse. This review discusses commonly characterized contaminants and current knowledge on their biodegradability, including the enzymes and organisms involved. Further, a perspective on recent novel hybrid biological treatments and application of knowledge gained from omics studies in improving these treatments is explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shwetha M Acharya
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Romy Chakraborty
- Department of Ecology, Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Susannah G Tringe
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Treatment of Produced Water with Photocatalysis: Recent Advances, Affecting Factors and Future Research Prospects. Catalysts 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/catal10080924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Produced water is the largest byproduct of oil and gas production. Due to the complexity of produced water, especially dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons and high salinity, efficient water treatment technologies are required prior to beneficial use of such waste streams. Photocatalysis has been demonstrated to be effective at degrading recalcitrant organic contaminants, however, there is limited understanding about its application to treating produced water that has a complex and highly variable water composition. Therefore, the determination of the appropriate photocatalysis technique and the operating parameters are critical to achieve the maximum removal of recalcitrant compounds at the lowest cost. The objective of this review is to examine the feasibility of photocatalysis-involved treatment for the removal of contaminants in produced water. Recent studies revealed that photocatalysis was effective at decomposing recalcitrant organic compounds but not for mineralization. The factors affecting decontamination and strategies to improve photocatalysis efficiency are discussed. Further, recent developments and future research prospects on photocatalysis-derived systems for produced water treatment are addressed. Photocatalysis is proposed to be combined with other treatment processes, such as biological treatments, to partially reduce total organic carbon, break down macromolecular organic compounds, increase biodegradability, and reduce the toxicity of produced water.
Collapse
|
13
|
Tinker K, Gardiner J, Lipus D, Sarkar P, Stuckman M, Gulliver D. Geochemistry and Microbiology Predict Environmental Niches With Conditions Favoring Potential Microbial Activity in the Bakken Shale. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1781. [PMID: 32849400 PMCID: PMC7406717 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bakken Shale and underlying Three Forks Formation is an important oil and gas reservoir in the United States. The hydrocarbon resources in this region are accessible using unconventional oil and gas extraction methods, including horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. However, the geochemistry and microbiology of this region are not well understood, although they are known to have major implications for productivity and water management. In this study, we analyzed the produced water from 14 unconventional wells in the Bakken Shale using geochemical measurements, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and 16S rRNA gene sequencing with the overall goal of understanding the complex dynamics present in hydraulically fractured wells. Bakken Shale produced waters from this study exhibit high measurements of total dissolved solids (TDS). These conditions inhibit microbial growth, such that all samples had low microbial loads except for one sample (well 11), which had lower TDS concentrations and higher 16S rRNA gene copies. Our produced water samples had elevated chloride concentrations typical of other Bakken waters. However, they also contained a sulfate concentration trend that suggested higher occurrence of sulfate reduction, especially in wells 11 and 18. The unique geochemistry and microbial loads recorded for wells 11 and 18 suggest that the heterogeneous nature of the producing formation can provide environmental niches with conditions conducive for microbial growth. This was supported by strong correlations between the produced water microbial community and the associated geochemical parameters including sodium, chloride, and sulfate concentrations. The produced water microbial community was dominated by 19 bacterial families, all of which have previously been associated with hydrocarbon-reservoirs. These families include Halanaerobiaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Desulfohalobiaceae which are often associated with thiosulfate reduction, biofilm production, and sulfate reduction, respectively. Notably, well 11 was dominated by sulfate reducers. Our findings expand the current understanding of microbial life in the Bakken region and provide new insights into how the unique produced water conditions shape microbial communities. Finally, our analysis suggests that produced water chemistry is tightly linked with microbiota in the Bakken Shale and shows that additional research efforts that incorporate coupled microbial and geochemical datasets are necessary to understand this ecosystem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kara Tinker
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - James Gardiner
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Leidos Research Support Team, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Daniel Lipus
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States.,Section of Geomicrobiology, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Preom Sarkar
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Mengling Stuckman
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Leidos Research Support Team, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Djuna Gulliver
- National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Surface Water Microbial Community Response to the Biocide 2,2-Dibromo-3-Nitrilopropionamide, Used in Unconventional Oil and Gas Extraction. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.01336-19. [PMID: 31444200 PMCID: PMC6803298 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01336-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Unconventional oil and gas activity can affect pH, total organic carbon, and microbial communities in surface water, altering their ability to respond to new environmental and/or anthropogenic perturbations. These findings demonstrate that 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA), a common hydraulic fracturing (HF) biocide, affects microbial communities differently as a consequence of past HF exposure, persisting longer in HF-impacted (HF+) waters. These findings also demonstrate that DBNPA has low efficacy in environmental microbial communities regardless of HF impact. These findings are of interest, as understanding microbial responses is key for formulating remediation strategies in unconventional oil and gas (UOG)-impacted environments. Moreover, some DBNPA degradation by-products are even more toxic and recalcitrant than DBNPA itself, and this work identifies novel brominated degradation by-products formed. Production of unconventional oil and gas continues to rise, but the effects of high-density hydraulic fracturing (HF) activity near aquatic ecosystems are not fully understood. A commonly used biocide in HF, 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA), was studied in microcosms of HF-impacted (HF+) versus HF-unimpacted (HF−) surface water streams to (i) compare the microbial community response, (ii) investigate DBNPA degradation products based on past HF exposure, and (iii) compare the microbial community response differences and similarities between the HF biocides DBNPA and glutaraldehyde. The microbial community responded to DBNPA differently in HF-impacted versus HF-unimpacted microcosms in terms of the number of 16S rRNA gene copies quantified, alpha and beta diversity, and differential abundance analyses of microbial community composition through time. The differences in microbial community changes affected degradation dynamics. HF-impacted microbial communities were more sensitive to DBNPA, causing the biocide and by-products of the degradation to persist for longer than in HF-unimpacted microcosms. A total of 17 DBNPA by-products were detected, many of them not widely known as DBNPA by-products. Many of the brominated by-products detected that are believed to be uncharacterized may pose environmental and health impacts. Similar taxa were able to tolerate glutaraldehyde and DBNPA; however, DBNPA was not as effective for microbial control, as indicated by a smaller overall decrease of 16S rRNA gene copies/ml after exposure to the biocide, and a more diverse set of taxa was able to tolerate it. These findings suggest that past HF activity in streams can affect the microbial community response to environmental perturbation such as that caused by the biocide DBNPA. IMPORTANCE Unconventional oil and gas activity can affect pH, total organic carbon, and microbial communities in surface water, altering their ability to respond to new environmental and/or anthropogenic perturbations. These findings demonstrate that 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA), a common hydraulic fracturing (HF) biocide, affects microbial communities differently as a consequence of past HF exposure, persisting longer in HF-impacted (HF+) waters. These findings also demonstrate that DBNPA has low efficacy in environmental microbial communities regardless of HF impact. These findings are of interest, as understanding microbial responses is key for formulating remediation strategies in unconventional oil and gas (UOG)-impacted environments. Moreover, some DBNPA degradation by-products are even more toxic and recalcitrant than DBNPA itself, and this work identifies novel brominated degradation by-products formed.
Collapse
|
15
|
Hanson AJ, Luek JL, Tummings SS, McLaughlin MC, Blotevogel J, Mouser PJ. High total dissolved solids in shale gas wastewater inhibit biodegradation of alkyl and nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 668:1094-1103. [PMID: 31018450 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing fluids are injected into unconventional oil and gas systems to stimulate hydrocarbon production, returning to the surface in flowback and produced waters containing a complex mixture of xenobiotic additives and geogenic compounds. Nonionic polyethoxylates are commonly added surfactants that act as weatherizers, emulsifiers, wetting agents, and corrosion inhibitors in hydraulic fracturing fluid formulations. Understanding the biodegradability of these ubiquitous additives is critical for produced water pre-treatment prior to reuse and for improving treatment trains for external beneficial reuse. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of produced water total dissolved solids (TDS) from an unconventional natural gas well on the aerobic biodegradation of alkyl ethoxylate and nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants. Changes in surfactant concentrations, speciation and metabolites, as well as microbial community composition and activity were quantified over a 75-day aerobic incubation period. Alkyl ethoxylates (AEOs) were degraded faster than nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs), and both compound classes and bulk organic carbon biodegraded slower in TDS treatments (10 g L-1, 40 g L-1) as compared to controls. Short-chain ethoxylates were more rapidly biodegraded than longer-chain ethoxylates, and changes in the relative abundance of metabolites including acetone, alcohols, and carboxylate and aldehyde intermediates of alkyl units indicated metabolic pathways may shift in the presence of higher produced water TDS. Our key finding that polyethoxylated alcohol surfactant additives are less labile at high TDS has important implications for produced water management, as these fluids are increasingly recycled for beneficial reuse in hydraulic fracturing fluids and other purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J Hanson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States
| | - Jenna L Luek
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States
| | - Shantal S Tummings
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Molly C McLaughlin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Jens Blotevogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
| | - Paula J Mouser
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Akyon B, Lipus D, Bibby K. Glutaraldehyde inhibits biological treatment of organic additives in hydraulic fracturing produced water. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 666:1161-1168. [PMID: 30970481 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Water generated by hydraulic fracturing for the production of oil and gas, commonly termed 'produced water', may contain residual organic compounds from the fracturing process or the subsurface formation. Biological treatment is a potential technology to remove residual organic compounds in produced water. Biocides are often added to both fracturing fluids and produced water to limit undesirable microbiological activity, and glutaraldehyde is the most commonly used biocide in hydraulic fracturing. Residual biocides in produced water can limit biological treatment efficiency. We evaluated the effect of glutaraldehyde on the biodegradation of five of the most commonly reported organic compounds in hydraulic fracturing fluids in an engineered biofilm treatment. Our results demonstrated that glutaraldehyde delays biological organic compound removal by introducing a biodegradation lag phase. In addition, the effects of glutaraldehyde were more pronounced for more rapidly degraded compounds. Finally, the presence of glutaraldehyde did not decrease microbial abundance nor drive microbial community structure, suggesting that observed effects were due to altered microbial activity. These results highlight the necessity to consider co-contaminant interactions during treatment of complex waste streams where residual biocide may be present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benay Akyon
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
| | - Daniel Lipus
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
| | - Kyle Bibby
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States.
| |
Collapse
|