1. Analysis of Frack Water By Kiersten Briggs and Schuyler Mincemoyer

2. Objective  An organic analysis of the effects of hydraulic fracturing on well water through GC-MS and FT-IR.  After GC-MS and FT-IR results were found, we also proceeded to run an XRF analysis to determine the metal and alloy makeup of the frack water.

3. What is Hydraulic Fracturing?  Drilling technique widely utilized for collecting Natural Gas  Energy from injecting highly-pressurized fracking fluid cracks rocks to release gas  Drilling occurs ~6,200 ft below the surface  Can produce fracturing at least 1,000-1,500 ft away from the initial pressurization point

4. What is Hydraulic Fracturing?

5. What is Frack Water?  Caused by Hydraulic Fracturing for Natural Gas  Well water speculated to be contaminated by fracking fluid byproducts  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZe1AeH0Qz8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZe1AeH0Qz8

6. Suspected Contaminants  We are testing for 5 out of a possible 353 dangerous components of fracking fluid (632 total components)  Xylene  Benzene  Ethylbenzene  Naphthalene  Toluene

7. Procedure  Extract components from water using Separatory Funnel and Hexane  Also attempted using Methylene Chloride for extraction  Run organic layer through the GC-MS and FT-IR  Standard Samples were mixed with hexane and run through each instrument as a reference point

8. Results  GC-MS and FT-IR showed no benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene, xylene, or naphthalene present.  An XRF analysis showed that of the metals/alloys in the water, 60% was Sulfur. The other 40% was Silica.

9. Conclusions  The benzene derivatives we tested for were not present. Probable causes:  Present in extremely low concentrations  Did not have a good water sample for testing  Gas samples may have left the sample before testing

10. Conclusions  The XRF showed a surprising result with 60% sulfur contents within the Frack Water.  Sulfur is present in the shale they fracture during hydraulic fracturing  Sulfur and CO 2 are a byproducts of processing natural gas

11. For further studies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LBjSXWQRV8 Shows the breaks in the water from the tap system where the fire lights. Leads to a question of a gas trapped in the pipes, rather than a contaminant of the water itself.

12. Questions?