Article
Microbiology
Maria Fernanda Campa, Jeremy R. Chen See, Lavinia Unverdorben, Olivia G. Wright, Kimberly A. Roth, Jonathan M. Niles, Daniel Ressler, Ella M. S. Macatugal, Andrew D. Putt, Stephen M. Techtmann, Timothy L. Righetti, Terry C. Hazen, Regina Lamendella
Summary: The environmental implications of unconventional oil and gas extraction are only recently starting to be systematically recorded. Our research shows the utility of microbial communities paired with geochemical markers to build strong predictive random forest models of unconventional oil and gas activity and the identification of key biomarkers.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Petroleum
A. S. Gundogar, J. L. Druhan, C. M. Ross, A. D. Jew, J. R. Bargar, A. R. Kovscek
Summary: Field and laboratory observations show that the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing is affected by geochemical alterations to rock surfaces, which can block pore and fracture networks. The study focuses on changes to fluid chemistry and shale surfaces resulting from shale-fluid interactions. Different shale samples have different responses to fluid injection, indicating the importance of understanding the specific characteristics of the formation.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Amanda E. Campbell, Laura K. Lautz, Gregory D. Hoke
Summary: This study aimed to test the reliability of pre-drilling water quality observations in assessing the impacts of later gas drilling. The research was conducted in a shale gas basin where hydraulic fracturing had not yet occurred. The findings showed that methane concentrations in groundwater can vary naturally through time due to changes in the mixture of freshwater and deeper formation brine extracted by wells, and not necessarily as a result of gas drilling. Therefore, comprehensive sampling and testing prior to drilling are necessary to distinguish the causes of changing methane concentrations.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Brennan Ferguson, Vikas Agrawal, Shikha Sharma, J. Alexandra Hakala, Wei Xiong
Summary: This study investigates the role of carbonates in reactions between shale and hydraulic fracturing fluid, finding that carbonate minerals can regulate solution pH, prevent clay dissolution, scavenge oxidizing species, prevent oxidation of organic matter and VOCs, and reduce pyrite dissolution.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jennifer A. Caldwell, Christopher K. Williams, Margaret C. Brittingham, Thomas J. Maier
Summary: This paper examines the issue of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale and highlights the tradeoffs between economic benefits and environmental impacts. The Marcellus region has the largest proven reserves of natural gas in the US, but fracking has detrimental effects on wildlife and habitats. To achieve a more sustainable balance, it is recommended that industry, scientists, and regulators work together to develop best management practices.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Eleanor Spielman-Sun, Adam D. Jew, John R. Bargar
Summary: This study evaluates secondary mineral precipitation and permeability attenuation in carbonate-rich shale samples from the Delaware Basin using laboratory and synchrotron-based techniques. The results demonstrate that carbonate-rich shales have strong neutralization abilities towards acidic fracturing fluid and that the contribution of the acid spearhead to rock permeability enhancement is limited. This has important implications for acidizing carbonate-rich shale formations and iron transformations within these shales.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yapei Ye, Shuheng Tang, Zhaodong Xi, Renqi Lu, Zhongyao Zhang, Jintao Li
Summary: Studying the microscopic characteristics of shale can provide a theoretical basis for evaluating its macroscopic mechanical properties and fracturability. Different types of quartz in shale have different effects on the quality of shale oil/gas reservoirs. This study used finite element numerical simulation to set up different models based on the microscopic occurrence states of quartz, and found that the size and occurrence mode of quartz have a significant impact on shale compressive strength, while quartz content has the most significant influence on shale brittleness. The presence of quartz particles can enhance the compressive strength of shale and form complex fracture networks.
NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
George T. Merovich, Mack W. Frantz, Petra B. Wood
Summary: This study investigates the impacts of unconventional shale gas development on aquatic ecosystems and finds that it has weak negative effects on water quality and benthic macroinvertebrates. The impacts are particularly significant in the year with the most intense shale gas development activity, with downstream areas being affected more prominently.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Matthew Gardner Kelly, Kai A. Schafft
Summary: The study focuses on the impact of unconventional gas development on education funding in public schools in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania, finding that districts with unconventional drilling experience less funding for education resources.
SOCIETY & NATURAL RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xinyue Liang, James J. Sheng, Kerui Liu
Summary: The experiments showed that Na2S2O8 can induce the initiation and propagation of fractures in shale through acidic and oxidation reactions, enhancing the effectiveness of chemical-induced fracturing. Compared with HCl, Na2S2O8 has improvements on the chemical-induced fracturing of Marcellus shale samples, with the potential to increase oil and gas recovery.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hesham Abdulelah, Berihun Mamo Negash, Tareq M. Al-Shami, Firas A. Abdulkareem, Eswaran Padmanabhan, Ahmed Al-Yaseri
Summary: The study found that CTAB can reduce CH4-brine interfacial tension, alter shale surface charges, and decrease molecular distances between CH4 molecules and hydrophilic clays, leading to a reduction in CH4 adsorption. Surfactants injected at above critical micelle concentration values have the potential to alleviate water trapping in fracking operations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andie Graham, Douglas A. Wilcox
Summary: Research indicates that accidents from gas drilling activities may have negative impacts on wetland environments and amphibians near the Marcellus Shale play, leading to a sharp decline in the number of amphibians in affected areas.
WETLANDS ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erik J. Folkerts, Katherine N. Snihur, Yifeng Zhang, Jonathan W. Martin, Daniel S. Alessi, Greg G. Goss
Summary: This study investigates the impacts of flowback and produced water (FPW) from hydraulic fracturing on the cardio-respiratory system development and function of rainbow trout embryos. The researchers found that FPW exposure led to developmental deformities, changes in embryonic respiration rates, and altered expression of cardiac-specific genes. These findings suggest that cardio-respiratory tissues are specifically targeted by FPW exposure, providing valuable information for regulatory bodies in developing hazard identification and risk management protocols for hydraulic fracturing activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Saad Alafnan
Summary: This study investigates the impact of supercritical carbon dioxide injection on the geomechanics of kerogen in shale formations. It reveals that the injection of supercritical carbon dioxide alters the mechanical behavior of kerogen, leading to a decrease in ductility under applied stress. This research provides nano-scale insights into the advantages of using supercritical carbon dioxide to degrade the mechanical integrity of organic matters contained in shales, supporting the value of carbon dioxide sequestration in shale formations.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yijin Zeng, Yintong Guo, Xu Zhang, Qiqi Ying, Xin Chang
Summary: The mechanical properties and fracture propagation characteristics of inter-salt shale reservoirs in the Qianjiang sag are studied. The results show clear differences between different rhythms. This research provides insights into the mechanism of hydraulic fracture propagation in inter-salt shale formations.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Rebecca A. Daly, Mikayla A. Borton, Michael J. Wilkins, David W. Hoyt, Duncan J. Kountz, Richard A. Wolfe, Susan A. Welch, Daniel N. Marcus, Ryan V. Trexler, Jean D. MacRae, Joseph A. Krzycki, David R. Cole, Paula J. Mouser, Kelly C. Wrighton
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Microbiology
Rawlings N. Akondi, Ryan V. Trexler, Susan M. Pfiffner, Paula J. Mouser, Shikha Sharma
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Microbiology
Michael J. Wilkins, Rebecca A. Daly, Paula J. Mouser, Ryan Trexler, Shihka Sharma, David R. Cole, Kelly C. Wrighton, Jennifer F. Biddle, Elizabeth H. Denis, Jim K. Fredrickson, Thomas L. Kieft, Tullis C. Onstott, Lee Peterson, Susan M. Pfiffner, Tommy J. Phelps, Matthew O. Schrenk
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2014)
Article
Microbiology
Ryan Trexler, Caroline Solomon, Colin J. Brislawn, Justin R. Wright, Abigail Rosenberger, Erin E. McClure, Alyssa M. Grube, Mark P. Peterson, Mehdi Keddache, Olivia U. Mason, Terry C. Hazen, Christopher J. Grant, Regina Lamendella
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2014)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Laura M. Kaminsky, Ryan V. Trexler, Rondy J. Malik, Kevin L. Hockett, Terrence H. Bell
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Agronomy
Caylon F. Yates, Jing Guo, Terrence H. Bell, Suzanne M. Fleishman, Hayden W. Bock, Ryan V. Trexler, David M. Eissenstat, Michela Centinari
Summary: The study found that arbuscular mycorrhizal tree species were associated with increased soil pH and available nitrogen compared to ectomycorrhizal tree species, and mycorrhizal type was significantly linked to rhizoplane bacterial composition. Root absorptive diameter did not clearly explain soil variability, but was associated with changes in rhizoplane-associated bacteria composition.
Article
Biology
William L. King, Caylon F. Yates, Jing Guo, Suzanne M. Fleishman, Ryan V. Trexler, Michela Centinari, Terrence H. Bell, David M. Eissenstat
Summary: William King, Caylon Yates, and colleagues conducted a study utilizing a 23-year-old common garden experiment to investigate how microbial filtering varies across root branching order. Results showed that roots of different orders have distinct microbial communities, with lower order roots being the main point of microbial interaction with fine roots.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeremy Sutherland, Terrence Bell, Ryan V. Trexler, John E. Carlson, Jesse R. Lasky
Summary: Host genetic variation can influence the diversity and composition of associated microbiomes, with potential reciprocal effects on host traits and performance. This study investigated the genetic basis of host effects on rhizosphere bacterial composition in switchgrass, a grass species with substantial diversity. The findings revealed that different genotypes of switchgrass had different rhizosphere bacterial diversity and composition, and some bacterial families showed heritability in their relative abundance. A genome-wide association study identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with bacterial composition. These results highlight the influence of switchgrass genomic and life-history variation on rhizosphere bacterial composition.
Article
Ecology
Caylon F. Yates, Ryan Trexler, Idalys Bonet, William L. King, Kevin L. Hockett, Terrence H. Bell
Summary: The realized niche breadth of soil microorganisms is typically smaller than their fundamental niche breadth due to competition. By conditioning bacterial isolates to biotically cleared soils, niche breadth expansion can be achieved, but the extent of niche shifts varies among different bacteria populations.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Rawlings N. Akondi, Shikha Sharma, Ryan V. Trexler, Paula J. Mouser, Susan M. Pfiffner
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2019)