Hydraulic Fracturing Analysis
There is much controversy surrounding the current implementation of hydraulic fracturing technology in the United States. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the process of utilizing pressurized water, sand, and chemical additives to fracture rock layers allowing hydrocarbons (petroleum, natural gas, or other substances) to be released and removed. Hydraulic fracturing has become a standard practice in the gas industry. Environmental safety and health concerns about this process have emerged and are being examined at state and national levels.
H2M Labs provides analytical testing for pre-gas (well drilling) water testing of private wells and water supplies to ensure that potable water quality has not been compromised by the drilling process.
The testing tiers below are as recommended by the Penn State University College of Agricultural Sciences Extension (Marcellus Shale formation):
Tier 1
- Total dissolved solids (TDS)
- pH
- Barium
- Chloride
- Methane
Tier 2
- Tier 1 parameters
- Total suspended solids (turbidity)
- Arsenic, iron, manganese, lead
- Hardness (calcium and magnesium)
- Sodium
- Total organic carbon
- Strontium
- Oil & grease
- Detergents
- Alkalinity
- Coliform bacteria
- Sulfate
- nitrate
Tier 3
- Tier 1 and Tier 2 parameters
- Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs, including BTEX)
- Radionuclides (gross alpha, radium, and radon)
For more information on hydraulic fracturing and the Marcellus Shale gas drilling, you may visit the Penn State Extension