Chemical composition of leachates from hydraulic fracturing proppants from surficial releases in southeastern New Mexico

Environmental Science & Technology Letters
By: , and 

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Abstract

Resin-coated proppants (RCPs) are used in hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells to improve well performance; however, these proppants could be a cause for environmental concern if they are disposed of improperly. In this study, we investigate the water-leachable organic and inorganic constituents from proppants collected from surficial releases of RCPs in southeastern New Mexico. Significant concentrations of nonvolatile dissolved organic matter (>100 mg C/L) and phenolic compounds (>50 mg phenol/L) were identified in one of the proppant leachates, with further gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis identifying isomers of bisphenol F, a known endocrine disruptor analogous to bisphenol A, as the main organic constituents within this leachate. Fluorescence excitation–emission matrices analyses of proppant leachates identified several peaks associated with phenolic compounds, similar to previously studied oilfield wastewaters. Precursors of polyurethane production, including the inhalation sensitizer methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, were identified in the leachate from another proppant sample. An understanding of leachable compounds from RCPs is vital to management of environmental contamination from surficial releases, protecting the public and industry workers from associated hazards, and identifying the sources of organic compounds in oilfield wastewaters.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Chemical composition of leachates from hydraulic fracturing proppants from surficial releases in southeastern New Mexico
Series title Environmental Science & Technology Letters
DOI 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00911
Volume 11
Issue 3
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher American Chemical Society
Contributing office(s) Eastern Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
Description 7 p.
First page 243
Last page 249
Country United States
State New Mexico
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