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Shale gas development has limited effects on stream biology and geochemistry in a gradient-based, multiparameter study in Pennsylvania.
Mumford, Adam C; Maloney, Kelly O; Akob, Denise M; Nettemann, Sarah; Proctor, Arianne; Ditty, Jason; Ulsamer, Luke; Lookenbill, Josh; Cozzarelli, Isabelle M.
Affiliation
  • Mumford AC; Water Mission Area, US Geological Survey, Reston, VA 20192; amumford@usgs.gov.
  • Maloney KO; Leetown Science Center, US Geological Survey, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
  • Akob DM; Water Mission Area, US Geological Survey, Reston, VA 20192.
  • Nettemann S; Applied Geology, Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Burgweg 11, 07749 Jena, Germany.
  • Proctor A; Bureau of Forestry, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
  • Ditty J; Bureau of Forestry, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
  • Ulsamer L; Bureau of Forestry, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
  • Lookenbill J; Division of Water Quality, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
  • Cozzarelli IM; Water Mission Area, US Geological Survey, Reston, VA 20192.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 117(7): 3670-3677, 2020 02 18.
Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32015108
ABSTRACT
The number of horizontally drilled shale oil and gas wells in the United States has increased from nearly 28,000 in 2007 to nearly 127,000 in 2017, and research has suggested the potential for the development of shale resources to affect nearby stream ecosystems. However, the ability to generalize current studies is limited by the small geographic scope as well as limited breadth and integration of measured chemical and biological indicators parameters. This study tested the hypothesis that a quantifiable, significant relationship exists between the density of oil and gas (OG) development, increasing stream water concentrations of known geochemical tracers of OG extraction, and the composition of benthic macroinvertebrate and microbial communities. Twenty-five headwater streams that drain lands across a gradient of shale gas development intensity were sampled. Our strategy included comprehensive measurements across multiple seasons of sampling to account for temporal variability of geochemical parameters, including known shale OG geochemical tracers, and microbial and benthic macroinvertebrate communities. No significant relationships were found between the intensity of OG development, shale OG geochemical tracers, or benthic macroinvertebrate or microbial community composition, whereas significant seasonal differences in stream chemistry were observed. These results highlight the importance of considering spatial and temporal variability in stream chemistry and biota and not only the presence of anthropogenic activities in a watershed. This comprehensive, integrated study of geochemical and biological variability of headwater streams in watersheds undergoing OG development provides a robust framework for examining the effects of energy development at a regional scale.
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Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Ecosystem / Rivers / Oil and Gas Fields Limits: Animals Country/Region as subject: America do norte Language: En Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Year: 2020 Document type: Article

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Ecosystem / Rivers / Oil and Gas Fields Limits: Animals Country/Region as subject: America do norte Language: En Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Year: 2020 Document type: Article
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