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Radioactivity in Marcellus ShaleRadioactivity in Marcellus ShaleChallenge for Regulators and Water Treatment PlantsChallenge for Regulators and Water Treatment Plants
Marvin Resnikoff, Ph.D.Marvin Resnikoff, Ph.D.Radioactive Waste Management AssociatesRadioactive Waste Management Associates
WEF Annual ConferenceWEF Annual ConferenceOctober 2, 2012October 2, 2012New Orleans, LANew Orleans, LA
ObjectiveObjective
To examines the fate and transport To examines the fate and transport of radionuclides brought to the of radionuclides brought to the surface, and the environmental surface, and the environmental impact in the environmentimpact in the environment
Areal Extent of Marcellus ShaleAreal Extent of Marcellus Shale
Depth of Marcellus ShaleDepth of Marcellus Shale
Marcellus Thickness in New Marcellus Thickness in New YorkYork
Beaver Beaver MeadowMeadows Cores Core
Uranium Content in Four CoresUranium Content in Four Cores
Location of the Location of the CoreCore
Depth of Sample Depth of Sample (feet)(feet)
Uranium Content Uranium Content (ppm)(ppm)
Allegheny Cty, Allegheny Cty, PA PA
7342 – 7465 7342 – 7465 8.9 – 67.7 8.9 – 67.7
Tomkins Cty, NY Tomkins Cty, NY 1380 – 1420 1380 – 1420 25 – 53 25 – 53
Livingston Cty, Livingston Cty, NY NY
543 – 576 543 – 576 16.6 – 83.7 16.6 – 83.7
Knox Cty, OH Knox Cty, OH 1027 – 1127 1027 – 1127 32.5 – 41.1 32.5 – 41.1
Well Development – Hydraulic Well Development – Hydraulic FracturingFracturing
Well DevelopmentWell Development
Rock CuttingsRock Cuttings Drill FluidDrill Fluid FlowbackFlowback
Rock Cutting ShakersRock Cutting Shakers
Flowback WaterFlowback Water
10% to 40% of original pumped 10% to 40% of original pumped volumevolume
High levels of salt and NORMHigh levels of salt and NORM TDS 1,470 to 402,000 mg/LTDS 1,470 to 402,000 mg/L TDS median 157,000 mg/LTDS median 157,000 mg/L
Well ProductionWell Production
BrineBrine Scale buildup in gas equipment (well Scale buildup in gas equipment (well
pipes, feeder lines, condensate pipes, feeder lines, condensate tanks)tanks)
Radon in natural gasRadon in natural gas
Radium in Brine WaterRadium in Brine Water
WellWell TownTown CountyCounty Ra-Ra-226226
Ra-228Ra-228
Maxwell Maxwell 1C 1C
Caton Caton SteubeSteuben n
7885 7885 234 234
Frost 2 Frost 2 Orange Orange SchuyleSchuyler r
2647 2647 782 782
Webster Webster T1 T1
Orange Orange SchuyleSchuyler r
16030 16030 912 912
SchiavoneSchiavone2 2
ReadinReadingg
SchuyleSchuylerr
1514015140 957957
Well ProductionWell Production
BrineBrine Scale buildup in gas equipment (well Scale buildup in gas equipment (well
pipes, feeder lines, condensate pipes, feeder lines, condensate tanks)tanks)
Radon in natural gasRadon in natural gas
Gas EquipmentGas Equipment
Well
Well
Well
Well
Water/gas separator
Condensate Tank
Natural Gas Line
Well ProductionWell Production
BrineBrine Scale buildup in gas equipment (well Scale buildup in gas equipment (well
pipes, feeder lines, condensate pipes, feeder lines, condensate tanks)tanks)
Radon in natural gasRadon in natural gas
Wellhead Radon Wellhead Radon ConcentrationsConcentrations
Calculated radon concentrations: Calculated radon concentrations: 36.9 to 2576 pCi/L36.9 to 2576 pCi/L
R Johnson (EPA, 1973) measured R Johnson (EPA, 1973) measured average 37 pCi/L in pre-fracking average 37 pCi/L in pre-fracking periodperiod
Transit Distance to ConsumersTransit Distance to Consumers
Distance to New York consumers Distance to New York consumers from TX and LA wells: 1800 milesfrom TX and LA wells: 1800 miles
Distance to Ne York consumers from Distance to Ne York consumers from Marcellus Shale: <400 milesMarcellus Shale: <400 miles
Pipeline velocity: 11 mphPipeline velocity: 11 mph Radon half-life: 3.8 daysRadon half-life: 3.8 days
Dilution in NYC ApartmentsDilution in NYC Apartments
Avg. volume of apartment: 183 mAvg. volume of apartment: 183 m33 (EPA, (EPA, Exposure Factors Handbook)Exposure Factors Handbook)
Avg. air exchanges in apartment: Avg. air exchanges in apartment: 0.71/hr0.71/hr
Increase in Lung Cancer RatesIncrease in Lung Cancer Rates
Wellhead concentration (high): 2576 Wellhead concentration (high): 2576 pCi/LpCi/L
Air NYC apartment: 0.482pCi/l lifetime Air NYC apartment: 0.482pCi/l lifetime exposure concentration in living spaceexposure concentration in living space
Lifetime risk: 2.56E-03 (excess deaths Lifetime risk: 2.56E-03 (excess deaths per capita; EPA risk model, 2003)per capita; EPA risk model, 2003)
30484 excess lung cancer deaths per 30484 excess lung cancer deaths per 11.9 million residents11.9 million residents
UncertaintiesUncertainties
Calculated wellhead radon Calculated wellhead radon concentrations – need measured concentrations – need measured concentrationsconcentrations
Pipeline dilutionPipeline dilution Storage timeStorage time Propane removalPropane removal
SummarySummary
Rock cuttings: Rock cuttings: solid waste landfill, wetsolid waste landfill, wet Drill fluids: Drill fluids: recycle somewhat, slightly hotrecycle somewhat, slightly hot Flowback water/brine: Flowback water/brine: hot, licensed, but hot, licensed, but
then?then? Filter/sludge: Filter/sludge: licensed, but then?licensed, but then? Pipes: Pipes: licensed, but then and also < 50 licensed, but then and also < 50
microR/hr released for commercial usemicroR/hr released for commercial use Radon: Radon: hold uphold up
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