Detecting the effects of coal mining,acid rain,and natural gas extraction in Appalachian basin streams in Pennsylvania (USA) through analysis of barium and sulfate concentrations

To understand how extraction of different energy sources impacts water resources requires assessment of how water chemistry has changed in comparison with the background values of pristine streams. With such understanding, we can develop better water quality standards and ecological interpretations. However, determination of pristine background chemistry is difficult in areas with heavy human impact. To learn to do this, we compiled a master dataset of sulfate and barium concentrations ([SO₄], [Ba]) in Pennsylvania (PA, USA) streams from publically available sources. These elements were chosen because they can represent contamination related to oil/gas and coal, respectively. We applied changepoint analysis (i.e., likelihood ratio test) to identify pristine streams, which we defined as streams with a low variability in concentrations as measured over years. From these pristine streams, we estimated the baseline concentrations for major bedrock types in PA. Overall, we found that 48,471 data values are available for [SO₄] from 1904 to 2014 and 3243 data for [Ba] from 1963 to 2014. Statewide [SO₄] baseline was estimated to be 15.8 ± 9.6 mg/L, but values range from 12.4 to 26.7 mg/L for different bedrock types. The statewide [Ba] baseline is 27.7 ± 10.6 µg/L and values range from 25.8 to 38.7 µg/L. Results show that most increases in [SO₄] from the baseline occurred in areas with intensive coal mining activities, confirming previous studies. Sulfate inputs from acid rain were also documented. Slight increases in [Ba] since 2007 and higher [Ba] in areas with higher densities of gas wells when compared to other areas could document impacts from shale gas development, the prevalence of basin brines, or decreases in acid rain and its coupled effects on [Ba] related to barite solubility. The largest impacts on PA stream [Ba] and [SO₄] are related to releases from coal mining or burning rather than oil and gas development.

     

悬挂铁改性活性炭的美人蕉浮床除氟效果试验

设计制作了悬挂氯化铁改性颗粒椰壳活性炭(以下简称铁改性活性炭)的美人蕉(Canna indica)浮床,利用自制聚氯乙烯(PVC)水槽,研究了该浮床在不同水力停留时间(HRT)下对3.0、5.0mg/L含氟水的处理效果,并与未悬挂铁改性活性炭的美人蕉浮床进行除氟效果对比。结果表明,未悬挂铁改性活性炭的美人蕉浮床对3.0mg/L含氟水的氟去除率最高仅为9.4%。悬挂铁改性活性炭的美人蕉浮床在较长HRT(4.5d)下对3.0mg/L含氟水具有较好去除效果,水槽出水氟质量浓度最低可降至0.8mg/L,达到《地表水环境质量标准》(GB 3838—2002)Ⅲ类标准(≤1.0mg/L),氟去除率最高可达77.5%。由于受铁改性活性炭对氟离子吸附容量的影响,悬挂铁改性活性炭的美人蕉浮床在较短HRT(1.8d)下对5.0mg/L含氟水处理效果不理想,水槽出水氟质量浓度最低仅降至1.9mg/L,未达到GB 3838—2002Ⅴ类标准(≤1.5mg/L),氟离子去除率最高为58.0%。