미국 지질협회(USGS)가 시행한 연구에 따르면 생산수에 포함된 박테리아는 셰일가스 운영에서 유체를 다뤄지고 재사용되는 유체를 향상시킬 수 있다. 이번 연구는 박테리아가 생산수 내 오염물을 저감하는 데 유용하다는 사실을 밝혀냈다. USGS는 이번 연구결과가 에너지 기업에 있어 중요한 결과라고 강조했다.

보고서에 따르면, 샘플에서 발견된 미생물 활동은 생산수에 존재하는 유기화합물을 저해시킴으로써 더 나아질 수 있다. 또한, 잠재적으로 미생물은 처리수의 처리 또는 사고방출 과정에서 유기화합물의 영향을 경감시키는 데 도움을 준다.

 

 

 

Research findings by the US Geological Survey (USGS) have indicated that bacteria in produced water could improve the way fluid from shale gas operations is handled and reused. 

 

The study found that bacteria may be useful in breaking down contaminants in produced water. The findings could have "important implications" for energy companies, according to the USGS report.

 

"Microbial activity detected in these samples could turn out to be an advantage by contributing to the degradation of organic compounds present in the produced waters. Potentially, microbes could also serve to help mitigate the effects of organic contaminants during the disposal or accidental release of produced waters," the report said.

 

The USGS studied 13 hydraulically fractured shale gas wells in north-central Pennsylvania. Large differences in the organic geochemistry including petroleum products and microbiology such as bacteria populations of the produced waters were "striking findings of the study," USGS reported.

 

USGS microbiologist and lead author of the study, Denise Akob, said: "Some wells appeared to be hotspots for microbial activity. But this was not predicted by well location, depth, or salinity. The presence of microbes seemed to be associated with concentrations of specific organic compounds -- for example, benzene or acetate -- and the length of time that the well was in production."

 

The researchers speculated that increased microbial activity in water with high levels of organic compounds could prove useful in future efforts to clean up fracking accidents.

 

[출처 = Desalination & Water Reuse / 2015년 6월 2일]