A new technique to spot contamination of shallow groundwater has been devised by a team of researchers from the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Center. The new technique can be used to track the contamination caused by unconventional gas extraction methods like fracking.
This new development could also help to regulate the safety of coal-bed methane extraction as well as shale gas extraction, which have raised concerns regarding contamination of groundwater.
One of the techniques adopted for shale gas extraction is hydraulic fracturing. In order to release gas that is used as fuel, high-pressure fluids are utilized to increase permeability of shale. Likewise, the extraction of coal-bed methane from deep coal seams is done by drilling inside the coal. This reduces the pressure and subsequently releases the gas.
It was observed that drinking water may become contaminated when large amounts of methane gas are released from deep below the ground following fracking operations and on occasion encountering old well casings. Generalized allegations about this were made in the U.S., which emphasized the need for such a test.
Small quantities of methane gas, released from shallow natural sources, are generally present in groundwater and these are deemed harmless. The latest technique, developed by the research team, provides new means to trace the presence of methane gas by spotting even small quantities of inactive natural gases, also called noble gases. The unique fingerprints of methane differ based on the origin and depth of methane. These details help scientists to identify the source of methane.
The researchers have successfully recorded these unique traces of noble bases in many exploratory shale gas and coal bed methane wells in and around the UK. The team has presented their latest results at the EGU Conference held in Vienna.
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