Title

Surface Water and Sediment Quality in Centre, Clearfield, and Clinton Counties, PA in the Context of Amd Impairment and Marcellus Shale Gas-Well Drilling

Start Date

13-11-2015 8:00 PM

End Date

13-11-2015 9:59 PM

Description

Starting in 2010, Lock Haven University (LHU) Water and Environmental Lab began its ongoing relationships with several community-based organizations to monitor the quality of surface water in AMD impacted streams and streams in proximity of various Marcellus Shale drilling locations in several watersheds in Centre, Clearfield, and Clinton Counties, PA. Participating organizations include the Clearfield and Centre County chapters of the Pennsylvania Senior Environmental Corps, Beech Creek Watershed Association, and the Centre County Conservation District. Monitoring of water quality was carried out in Beech Creek watershed in Clinton and Centre Counties, and in various small watersheds in Clearfield Count. The study was intended to monitor potential areas for contamination due to natural gas extraction and surface run-off from acid mine land (AML). Measured field parameters included temperature, pH, DO, TDS, conductance, ORP, and surface discharge in the monitored streams. Additional lab analyses yielded net acidity and alkalinity, along with several cations and anions, such as total iron, aluminum, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, barium, sulfate, and chloride concentrations. Other test parameters include TSS, bromine, total hardness, total Mg, and total Ca. Soil and sediment samples collected from Beech Creek watershed were analyzed for various metal concentrations. A set of water samples collected from Beech Creek watershed was analyzed at Earth & Environmental Sciences department of Susquehanna University in order to cross check the results determined at LHU. Additionally, Beech Creek watershed samples were analyzed for methane concentration by the Earth and Environmental Systems department of the Pennsylvania State University. Multiple conclusions have been reached regarding the water quality of the monitored watersheds. Samples collected from the Beech Creek watershed and Clearfield sub-watersheds typically exhibit values below the established MCLs of drinking water standards for various chemical parameters, which are related to natural gas extraction. However, multiple study locations exhibit pervasive AMD impairment, which is a direct result of legacy coal mining. Through active collaboration with community-based organizations, students have the opportunity to garner research experience, while providing a valuable service to the greater community. This study has far-reaching implications for policy-making in regards to the development of Marcellus Shale as a resource while protecting the environment and preserving human health.

Type

Poster

Language

eng

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Nov 13th, 8:00 PM Nov 13th, 9:59 PM

Surface Water and Sediment Quality in Centre, Clearfield, and Clinton Counties, PA in the Context of Amd Impairment and Marcellus Shale Gas-Well Drilling

Elaine Langone Center, Terrace Room

Starting in 2010, Lock Haven University (LHU) Water and Environmental Lab began its ongoing relationships with several community-based organizations to monitor the quality of surface water in AMD impacted streams and streams in proximity of various Marcellus Shale drilling locations in several watersheds in Centre, Clearfield, and Clinton Counties, PA. Participating organizations include the Clearfield and Centre County chapters of the Pennsylvania Senior Environmental Corps, Beech Creek Watershed Association, and the Centre County Conservation District. Monitoring of water quality was carried out in Beech Creek watershed in Clinton and Centre Counties, and in various small watersheds in Clearfield Count. The study was intended to monitor potential areas for contamination due to natural gas extraction and surface run-off from acid mine land (AML). Measured field parameters included temperature, pH, DO, TDS, conductance, ORP, and surface discharge in the monitored streams. Additional lab analyses yielded net acidity and alkalinity, along with several cations and anions, such as total iron, aluminum, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, barium, sulfate, and chloride concentrations. Other test parameters include TSS, bromine, total hardness, total Mg, and total Ca. Soil and sediment samples collected from Beech Creek watershed were analyzed for various metal concentrations. A set of water samples collected from Beech Creek watershed was analyzed at Earth & Environmental Sciences department of Susquehanna University in order to cross check the results determined at LHU. Additionally, Beech Creek watershed samples were analyzed for methane concentration by the Earth and Environmental Systems department of the Pennsylvania State University. Multiple conclusions have been reached regarding the water quality of the monitored watersheds. Samples collected from the Beech Creek watershed and Clearfield sub-watersheds typically exhibit values below the established MCLs of drinking water standards for various chemical parameters, which are related to natural gas extraction. However, multiple study locations exhibit pervasive AMD impairment, which is a direct result of legacy coal mining. Through active collaboration with community-based organizations, students have the opportunity to garner research experience, while providing a valuable service to the greater community. This study has far-reaching implications for policy-making in regards to the development of Marcellus Shale as a resource while protecting the environment and preserving human health.