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footnote 2] ) , and the overall combined research with academic research EPA research has focused on docu-
risk is difficult to assess ( Rodak and ( Multiagency, 2014) . menting risks and identifying knowledge
Silliman, 2012) . For example, of 1606 Seven priority research areas were gaps regarding impacts of UOG develop-
chemicals identified in wastewater from identified: ( 1) domestic UOG resource ment on drinking-water sources ( USEPA,
UOG wells, chronic toxicity values are development trends to identify potential 2016) . The EPA is also engaged in the
only available for 173 ( USEPA, 2016) . future impacts; ( 2) effects of hydraulic induced seismicity issue because the
The United States will continue to rely on fracturing water consumption on local agency is responsible for regulating
the production of fossil fuel hydrocarbons and regional water availability; ( 3) poten- UIC wells.
for some time ( Fig. S3 [ see footnote 2] ) , tial water-quality degradation from UOG An NSF-supported study of the link-
and understanding of the risks must be development and linkage of contaminants ages and relationships between agricul-
improved. to UOG activity; ( 4) potential short- ture, energy, and water resources on the
Researchers at government agencies, and long-term air-quality impairments; northern Great Plains investigated a con-
universities, institutes, and industry have ( 5) induced seismicity from fracking and cept called the food-energy-water ( FEW)
been investigating potential human-health liquid waste disposal in underground nexus. This area contains just 1% of the
and environmental impacts of UOG injection control ( UIC) wells; ( 6) potential U.S. population, yet it produces 23% of
development. Herein we use “ environ- impacts of UOG development on terres- the nation’s crop value and 16% of U.S.
mental impacts” to refer to impacts on trial and aquatic ecosystems; and energy. Scarce water resources are heav-
aquatic and terrestrial organisms, com- ( 7) possible effects of UOG development ily used for both agriculture and energy,
munities, and ecosystems. This article on human health. Lead roles in these and tipping points were identified that
aims to highlight the critical research seven areas were given to agencies based could prevent recovery of water
questions in this area and to provide on core capabilities and mission ( U.S. resources. Thus, sustainable water man-
access to results of ongoing research. DOE, 2015) ( Fig. S4 [ see footnote 2] ) . agement practices are critical ( Sieverding
DOE research focused on engineering and Jones, 2015) .
RESEARCH Q UESTIONS AND investigations of how drilling fluids,
PRIORITIES hydraulic fracturing chemicals, and pro- RESEARCH TO AD D RESS
The Health Effects Institute in Boston, duced liquids and gas may escape from POTENTIAL AIR- AND W ATER-
wellbores, tanks, and other containments
Massachusetts, conducted an exhaustive and enter the environment ( e.g., Fig. S5 Q UALITY IMPACTS OF UOG
review of the scientific literature and [ see footnote 2] ) . Studies include wellbore D EVELOPMENT
solicited expert advice to identify the integrity and cement technology Airborne pollutants from UOG develop-
research needed to reduce uncertainty ( Kutchko et al., 2012) ; fate and transport ment include methane ( CH ) , carbon diox-
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about potential human-health and envi- of frack chemicals in groundwater ( Soeder ide ( CO ) , nitrogen oxides ( NO ) , volatile
2
x
ronmental-impact risks from UOG devel- et al., 2014) ; and the potential for green- organic compounds ( VOCs) , and particu-
opment ( HEI, 2015) , identifying thirteen house gas ( GHG) releases ( Pekney et al., late matter ( PM) released during well pad
critical research areas ( Table S1) . 2014) . Field research sites have been estab- construction, drilling ( Figs. S5 and S6 [ see
Assessing human-health impacts from lished by DOE in West Virginia, Texas, footnote 2] ) , hydraulic fracturing ( Fig.
UOG operations is complicated and chal- Louisiana, and Virginia. S2) , returned-fluids handling, and produc-
lenging. A typical approach combines DOI research has primarily been per- tion ( Fig. S7 [ see footnote 2] ) . VOCs and
toxicology data with measurements of formed by the U.S. Geological Survey NO directly degrade local and regional
x
chemical exposure. Shale development ( USGS) to assess technically recoverable air quality and can form ground-level
sites have multiple stressors that may be UOG resources ( e.g., USGS, 2015) , under- oz one and particulate matter. Variations in
detrimental to human health in nearby stand the chemical composition of pro- the composition and scale of air emissions
communities, such as chemical stress duced and formation waters ( e.g., Orem et complicate characteriz ation of UOG sites.
from produced-water spills, physical al., 2014; Blondes et al., 2017) , and com- Automated collection and analysis of air
stress from airborne particulate matter, pile data related to water used for hydrau- samples obtained with mobile laboratories
sensory stress from the noise and light, lic fracturing ( e.g., Gallegos et al., 2015) . provide inputs for atmospheric fate and
and emotional stress from traffic and Water quality upstream and downstream transport models ( Pekney et al., 2014) .
equipment. Geoscientists play a critical from oil and gas wastewater injection and Methane leakage from gas wells contrib-
role in identifying possible exposure pipeline spill sites has been assessed ( Fig. utes to GHG emissions, and although it
routes of potentially haz ardous materials. 1 # 8) ( e.g., Akob et al., 2016; Coz z arelli et has a shorter residence time in the atmo-
The U.S. Department of the Interior al., 2017) , along with impacts on wildlife sphere compared to CO , CH is a much
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( DOI) , Environmental Protection Agency driven by UOG-related modifications to more powerful GHG. On the other hand,
( EPA) , and DOE developed a collabora- landscapes ( e.g., Preston and Kim, 2016; abundant natural gas from shale has
tive research framework for assessing risk USGS, 2017) . Induced seismicity, which resulted in the replacement of many old,
from UOG development. The Department results primarily from the disposal of pro- coal-fired power plants with natural gas-
of Health and Human Services ( HHS) duced water down UIC wells ( Fig. 1 # 9) fired generation, significantly decreasing
was engaged for human-health issues, and ( Rubinstein and Mahani, 2015) , was CO emissions from electricity production
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the National Science Foundation ( NSF) investigated under the USGS earthquake ( USEIA, 2017) and improving air quality
was engaged to coordinate federal haz ards program. ( Mac Kinnon et al., 2018) .

6 GSA Today | September 2018