14 DAY TRIAL // Recently, the U.S. Geological Survey and the national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made public the findings of a research carried out so as to determine if the water resulting from coalbed natural gas production is harmful to the environment.
Special attention was given to the well-being of aquatic life, with 13 aquatic species from the Tongue and Powder Rivers in Montana and Wyoming finding themselves under the spotlight.
For those unaware, coalbed methane is a form of natural gas extracted from coal beds. As of recently, this particular natural resource has grown to become a major energy source for countries such as America and Canada.
In order for coal bed methane to be successfully extracted from the underground, holes are drilled into the earth.
Seeing how gas reservoirs typically have a naturally formed water layer beneath them, it is only logical that once the gas starts making its way towards the surface, so does this so-called formation water.
According to CleanTechies, it is precisely this underground water that worries the US Geological Survey and EPA, as it most often contains sodium bicarbonate.
Although sodium bicarbonate (i.e. baking soda) is not the least dangerous to people or animals, it seems that it somehow just doesn't agree with most fish species.
Official reports indicate that, at sodium bicarbonate concentrations of 1,120-8,000 milligrams per liter, some aquatic lifeforms have difficulties surviving, whilst lower concentrations are responsible for cases of chronic toxicity.
The good news is that the deionization treatments presently carried out in the Tongue and Powder River are successful in bringing down local levels of sodium bicarbonate, thus ensuring a long and prosperous life for the aquatic residents of the region.
Given the fact that the US – and most likely will continue to be – a heavily industrialized country, it is a good thing that organizations such as EPA and the like are making sure that things are kept well under control and that no significant damage is done to the environment.