Sustained, natural oil seepage from the seafloor is common off southern California, and is of great interest to resource managers, who are tasked with distinguishing natural from anthropogenic oil sources. The major purpose of this study was [...] enable differentiation of the highly similar Monterey Formation oils from Outer Continental Shelf production and adjacent natural seeps.
“A USGS study found that groundwater in aquifers on the East Coast and in the Central United States has the highest risk of contamination from radium. [...] Radium is naturally occurring, so human activity is not the sole source of the problem.” Quoted from the USGS press release.
“Drastic reductions in Arctic sea ice in the last decade may be intensifying the chemical release of bromine into the atmosphere, resulting in ground-level ozone depletion and the deposit of toxic mercury in the Arctic.”
“Hydraulic fracturing of shale formations to extract natural gas has no direct connection to reports of groundwater contamination [...] many problems ascribed to hydraulic fracturing are related to processes common to all oil and gas drilling operations, such as casing failures or poor cement jobs.” Quoted from the University of Texas at Austin press release.
“A recent USGS study found that groundwater in aquifers on the East Coast and in the Central United States has the highest risk of contamination from radium, a naturally occurring radioactive element and known carcinogen.” Quoted from the USGS press release.
“Since the establishment of the Acid Rain Program, of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, there have been substantial reductions in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions from power plants that use fossil fuels, which are known to be the primary causes of acid rain. As of 2009, emissions of SO2 and NOx declined by about two-thirds relative to levels in the 1990s.” Quoted from the USGS press release.
A number of people are reacting to EPA’s draft report: “Investigation of Ground WaterContamination near Pavillion, Wyoming” which links hydraulic fracturing to fresh water aquifer contamination. Hydraulic fracturing in they Wyoming study was done just 1200 feet below the ground while the fracturing done in the major shale gas plays in other parts of the country occurs and far greater depths.
EPA has issued a draft report titled: Investigation of Ground WaterContamination near Pavillion, Wyoming. From the conclusions: “Using this approach, the explanation best fitting the data for the deep monitoring wells is that constituents associated with hydraulic fracturing have been released into the Wind River drinking water aquifer at depths above the current production zone.”
In a NewsOK.com article, Larry Nichols, of Devon Energy says that hydraulic fracturing for natural gas and oil is receiving too much blame for contaminating ground water and causing earthquakes.
Early results from a University of Texas at Austin study of hydraulic fracturing and groundwater contamination suggest that there is no direct link between the fracturing and contamination. Problems of contamination are instead related to other parts of the drilling and well management process such as leaking casings, failed cement jobs and above-ground spills.
“About 20% of untreated water samples from public, private, and monitoring wells across the nation contain concentrations of at least one trace element, such as arsenic, manganese and uranium, at levels of potential health concern, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey.” Quoted from the USGS news release.
“New research shows that wastewater recycling processes may generate more greenhouse gases than traditional water-treatment processes. Despite this finding, there are good reasons to continue keep wastewater recycling among the water-resource tools for urban areas.” Quoted from the University of Cincinnati news release.
“As Hurricane Irene has left her mark along the East Coast, United States Geological Survey crews are sampling water for pesticides, E. coli, nutrients, and sediment to document water quality in areas affected by the hurricane.” Quoted from the USGS news release.
“A documentary film highlighting recent and past USGS research in the Lake Tahoe Basin. It features USGS science activities conducted by hydrologists, geologists, geographers, computer modelers, and biologists, among others. The story is told through the use of narration, expert interviews, graphics, animations, incredible video imagery and time-lapse video. USGS science detailed in the story includes water quality monitoring, streamgaging, Lake Tahoe bathymetry, aerial LiDAR, historic use of aerial photography, and the Tahoe Land Use Simulation Model.” Quote from the USGS media release.
During four years of testing it was found that one-fifth of 2000 water samples taken from the Hudson River between Albany and New York City indicated the the river was unsuitable for recreational activities and swimming.
“Seventy-five percent of the world’s coral reefs are currently threatened by local and global pressures. Most threats arise from local sources, which currently threaten more than 60% of coral reefs. Local threats include impacts from fishing, coastal development, and pollution. The percent of threatened reefs will increase to more than 90% by 2030 and to nearly all reefs by 2050.” Quote from USA.gov.
“Fallen autumn leaves transfer as much, if not more, hazardous mercury from the atmosphere to the environment as does precipitation each year, according to recent U.S. Geological Survey research.” Quoted from the USGS news release.
“More than a year after the largest oil spill in history, perhaps the dominant lingering question about the Deepwater Horizon spill is, “What happened to the oil?” Now, in the first published study to explain the role of microbes in breaking down the oil slick on the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers have come up with answers that represent both surprisingly good news and a head-scratching mystery.” Quoted from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution news release.
“When miners abandoned Michigan’s Copper Country, they left a lot of the red metal behind, and not in a good way. [...] A research team may have discovered how to make plants grow in the mine-waste desert and soak up some copper while they are at it.” Quoted from the Michigan Technological University news release.
“The study [...] reports that measurable amounts of the mercury emitted by coal-fired power plants is deposited in local soil and subsequently enters regional watersheds, contaminating fish and making them unsafe for human consumption.” Quoted from the Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis news release.
“Taking another major step in sleuthing the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a research team led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution determined what chemicals were contained in a deep, hydrocarbon-containing plume.” Quoted from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution news release.
“For about $25, the average homeowner can sprinkle enough nutrients, pesticides and weed killer to keep their lawn bright green and weed-free for several months. The real price tag is much higher. In fact, that $25 worth of fertilizer, applied incorrectly, could easily cost thousands of dollars.” Quoted from the Bay Soundings article.
“Hazy skies greeted many Americans on June 8, 2011, as poor air quality dominated from the Midwest to the Atlantic Seaboard. There were several causes, but Arizona’s Wallow Fire was a major contributor. Thick bands of smoke were visible in satellite images of the Midwest, and forecasts called for the smoke to move into the central and eastern United States. On top of that, weather conditions—high temperatures, calm winds—were just right for a classic summer pollution event in the East.” Quoted from the Earth Observatory image release.
Record flooding in the Mississippi River and Missouri River is expected to result in the largest dead zone ever seen in the Gulf of Mexico. Large amounts of fertilizer and animal waste carried by flood waters contribute to formation of the dead zone.
The Bureau of OceanEnergy Management, Regulation and Enforcement reports that a large oil spill in the Chukchi Sea could take extra time to bring under control due to the remote location and difficult environment.
Reservoirs designed to serve as flood-control structures, recreational sites and water supply sources can suffer a variety of problems. Sedimentation slowly decreases their capacity, algal blooms can taint the water and contaminants can accumulate in their sediment. A USGS study of Clinton Lake, near Lawrence, Kansas demonstrates some of these problems.
“New York City stormwater is a major cause of water pollution in the harbor and estuaries. [...] Green, vegetative roofs may offer one of the most effective methods of distributed stormwater control to help abate this pollution.” Quoted from the ConEdison and Columbia University press release.
A study of ground water in southwest Montana, United States Geological Survey researchers found levels of radionuclides that exceed EPA’s safety standards in 29% of wells sampled. In response a county sanitarian found that installing reverse osmosis systems in well-water homes reduced the radionuclide levels.
A pipeline leak in Alberta, Canada has spilled nearly 28,000 barrels of oil making it the largest oil spill there in 35 years. Most of the oil has been contained.
Heavy use and contamination have cause ground water levels beneath Ho Chi Minh City to fall, develop high concentrations of iron and nitrate, and become brackish near the coast.
The Railroad Commission has jurisdiction of natural gas drilling in Texas and the commission disagrees with the United States Environmental Protection Agency on the cause of domestic water well contamination in North Texas. EPA claims that Barnett Shale drilling has caused the problem.
The Marine Well Containment Company is a partnership between Exxon, Chevron, Conoco, Royal Dutch Shell and BP, who are preparing a response system that can be used in the event of an offshore well accident. They report that their response system is almost ready.
Uraniumcontamination may move much slower in groundwater than previously believed. [...] Knowing how uranium spreads out or diffuses in water is critical to predicting its movement and removing the contamination. But previous estimates may have significantly overestimated the radionuclide’s ability to move with the groundwater. Quoted from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory press release.
“In testimony this morning before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the American Water Works Association urged that sound, peer-reviewed science should drive regulatory decisions on perchlorate and other drinking water contaminants.” Quoted from an American Water Works Association press release.
Natural gas has been found in two private water wells in Parker County, Texas. The nitrogen content of the gas may determine if Barnett Shale drilling activity by Range Resources is the source or if the source is shallower rock units.
An article in the New York Times explains how ground water contaminated by a leaking landfill can be detected by monitoring soil bacteria instead of analyzing water for a wide range of potential contaminants.
This video explains how USGS scientists rushed to collect samples in advance of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill landfall. Their goal was to obtain background data for comparison.
The media has published many reports on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area in the Pacific Ocean the size of Texas that is littered with plastic and other human waste materials. An Oregon State professor says that these reports are exaggerated.
Welcome to Geology News!
Every day you can find links to several earth science news topics right here.
Bookmark this page and visit often. You can also receive our news for free by RSS feed or in a daily email message.
Advertising
Popular From Geology.com
Marcellus Shale: The most overlooked resource in the eastern United States!
Diamonds from Coal? Diamonds form under a variety of conditions that rarely involve coal as a source of carbon.
Mineral Rights / Oil & Gas: Who owns the minerals under your land? Have they been sold? Can someone mine without permission?
The Many Uses of Gold: Learn how the unique properties of gold make it extremely suited for a large number of industrial uses.
