Radium, radon, and gross alpha in groundwater near oil and gas wells: a case study of Southwestern Pennsylvania
Research Poster Engineering 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Allison Fenske
Exhibition Number 99
Abstract
There have been numerous studies investigating impacts to water quality due to oil and natural gas extraction, with varying results. Groundwater in areas of Southwestern Pennsylvania (SW PA) contained elevated concentrations of chloride and methane near oil and gas wells (Shaheen et al., 2022). Methane and chloride concentrations were correlated with density of surrounding oil and gas activity based on review of a large dataset (n= 7,140) compiled from homeowner “predrill” data. However, the dataset did not include radioactive species that are relevant for evaluating some potential risks to human health. The objective of this project is to evaluate the radium, radon, and gross alpha radioactivity parameters as an indicator of groundwater contamination from oil and gas activity and salinization in SW PA. A total of 90 groundwater samples were collected from private wells or springs. Radon was measured on site with a Durridge RAD7 radon detector with H2O attachment. Radium and gross alpha samples were collected in the field and tested in the laboratory with a Canberra gamma spectrometer and a Perkin Elmer Tri-Carb 5110TR, respectively. Results were compared to available groundwater quality data in Southwestern and Northeastern PA from the Shale Network database (SN), National Uranium Resource Exploration (NURE), and Warner et al. (2012). Radon ranged from 4 to 2,760 pCi/L. Preliminary radium values ranged from Not detected to 0.46 pCi/L of radium 226 and from 0.04 to 1.43 pCi/L radium 228. Ongoing data analysis will be discussed.
Importance
Radioactive water quality data is difficult to measure and there is minimal data present for Southwestern PA region. This project provides radioactive water quality data (radon and radium) for over 90 private drinking water wells in Southwestern Pennsylvania. This data can inform communities of possible contamination from oil and gas activity or other sources of contamination and help assess potential health risk from consuming groundwater. This project could inform state and federal policy makers on the impact of energy development to groundwater quality.