Elemental and compound concentrations from laboratory-based leachate tests: Cooper GBA region

Abstract

Data from leach tests which were designed to assess the mobilisation (release) of geogenic chemicals (compounds and elements) due to exposure to hydraulic fracturing fluids. The tests were designed to provide an upper bound estimates of geogenic chemical mobilisation from shale, tight and deep coal gas formations in the Cooper GBA region and is intended to guide future field based monitoring, management, and treatment options.

Attribution

Geological and Bioregional Assessment Program

History

Leachate tests were conducted at 80 degC (inorganics) in order to examine elevated temperature conditions that could be present during hydraulic fracturing operations at deep shale gas operations (median aquifer temperature at 1000-2500 m drill hole ~ 80 degC; after removal of unknown, uncorrected, and unidentified data and methodologies in the dataset) (https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/70604). Exploratory studies were also conducted on the effect of pressure (inorganics) that would be present in wells of shale gas operations on geogenic chemical (element) mobilisation into solution from powdered rock samples.