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