Using Geoscientific Analysis and Community Engagement to Analyze Exposures to Potential Groundwater Contamination

Principal Investigator:
Jennifer Baka
Assistant Professor
The Pennsylvania State University
Principal Investigator:
Susan Brantley
Professor
The Pennsylvania State University
Principal Investigator:
Lingzhou Xue
Associate Professor
The Pennsylvania State University
Principal Investigator:
Tao Wen
Assistant Professor
Syracuse University

The overall goal of this study is to evaluate potential linkages between unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD) and groundwater contamination in a tri-county region of Pennsylvania with many overlapping potential sources of contamination. The analysis will be informed by focus groups in the region to help identify areas of community concern. The team plans to produce a broadly applicable framework to study the relationship between specific UOGD processes and potential groundwater contamination. The investigators will apply the following methods to achieve their goals:

  1. Combine an existing data set of chemical measurements in groundwater with machine learning to isolate the influences of natural and anthropogenic processes on groundwater chemistry and to identify chemical signatures of UOGD.
  2. Evaluate linkages between UOGD and potential water contamination.
  3. Develop an approach to map locations of potential contamination from UOGD activities for application to future investigations of potential human exposures and health effects associated with UOGD.

Baka Study Location

Baka Study Location

 

Jennifer Baka
Jennifer Baka

Research Team

Jennifer Baka
Assistant Professor
The Pennsylvania State University
Susan Brantley
Professor
The Pennsylvania State University
Lingzhou Xue
Associate Professor
The Pennsylvania State University
Tao Wen
Assistant Professor
Syracuse University

Project Updates

Baka Quarterly Update - March 2023

Using Geoscientific Analysis and Community Engagement to Analyze Exposures to Potential Groundwater Contamination

Jennifer Baka

The overall goal of this study is to evaluate potential linkages between unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD) and groundwater contamination in a tri-county region of Pennsylvania with many overlapping potential sources of contamination. The analysis will be informed by focus groups in the region to help identify areas of community concern. The team plans to produce a broadly applicable framework to study the relationship between specific UOGD processes and potential groundwater contamination. The investigators will apply the following methods to achieve their goals:

  1. Combine an existing data set of chemical measurements in groundwater with machine learning to isolate the influences of natural and anthropogenic processes on groundwater chemistry and to identify chemical signatures of UOGD.
  2. Evaluate linkages between UOGD and potential water contamination.
  3. Develop an approach to map locations of potential contamination from UOGD activities for application to future investigations of potential human exposures and health effects associated with UOGD.

What's Happened

What's New

  • Investigating correlations between chemicals detected in groundwater and compliance violations (such as well structural impairments) reported by the regulator. 
  • Continuing to evaluate potential water contamination “signatures,” or patterns, from various forms of energy development. 
     

What's Next

  • Host follow up focus groups with communities in the spring of 2023. 
  • Finalize manuscripts summarizing the evaluation of potential water contamination “signatures” and community engagement work. 
  • Begin analysis of human exposures from groundwater contamination.

Upcoming Events:

Shale Network Workshop Registration Image
Baka Quarterly Update - December 2022

Using Geoscientific Analysis and Community Engagement to Analyze Exposures to Potential Groundwater Contamination

Jennifer Baka

The overall goal of this study is to evaluate potential linkages between unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD) and groundwater contamination in a tri-county region of Pennsylvania with many overlapping potential sources of contamination. The analysis will be informed by focus groups in the region to help identify areas of community concern. The team plans to produce a broadly applicable framework to study the relationship between specific UOGD processes and potential groundwater contamination. The investigators will apply the following methods to achieve their goals:

  1. Combine an existing data set of chemical measurements in groundwater with machine learning to isolate the influences of natural and anthropogenic processes on groundwater chemistry and to identify chemical signatures of UOGD.
  2. Evaluate linkages between UOGD and potential water contamination.
  3. Develop an approach to map locations of potential contamination from UOGD activities for application to future investigations of potential human exposures and health effects associated with UOGD.

What's Happened

  • Continued to analyze water quality data for chemical patterns that indicate potential contamination from various forms of energy development.
  • Continued to analyze information shared by community members during focus groups earlier this year.
  • Dr. Shaheen presented research at the November 2022 meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry in Pittsburgh, PA.

What's New

  • Completing analysis of water quality data.
  • Preparing for additional community focus groups in spring 2023.
  • Planning for the 2023 Shale Network Workshop with a panel related to this study.

What's Next

  • Host additional focus groups with communities in spring 2023.
  • Write summaries of our analysis of water quality data and findings from community focus groups.
  • Begin to assess community exposure to chemicals in water.

Upcoming Events:

Baka Quarterly Update - September 2022

Using Geoscientific Analysis and Community Engagement to Analyze Exposures to Potential Groundwater Contamination

Jennifer Baka

The overall goal of this study is to evaluate potential linkages between unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD) and groundwater contamination in a tri-county region of Pennsylvania with many overlapping potential sources of contamination. The analysis will be informed by focus groups in the region to help identify areas of community concern. The team plans to produce a broadly applicable framework to study the relationship between specific UOGD processes and potential groundwater contamination. The investigators will apply the following methods to achieve their goals:

  1. Combine an existing data set of chemical measurements in groundwater with machine learning to isolate the influences of natural and anthropogenic processes on groundwater chemistry and to identify chemical signatures of UOGD.
  2. Evaluate linkages between UOGD and potential water contamination.
  3. Develop an approach to map locations of potential contamination from UOGD activities for application to future investigations of potential human exposures and health effects associated with UOGD.

What's Happened

What's New

  • Analyzing data from focus groups of community members obtained in the summer of 2022 to learn about their concerns.
  • Continuing analysis of the water quality dataset.
  • Beginning synthesis of focus group data and water quality data.
  • Continuing to investigate mathematical tools that could isolate the impacts on water quality from UOGD and other types of energy development.

What's Next

  • Complete preliminary analysis of water quality data.
  • Host follow-up community focus groups to review the analysis of water quality data.
  • Use community feedback from the May 2022 Shale Network Workshop to prepare for the 2023 workshop.

Upcoming Events:

May 2023
Penn State Shale Network Workshop, Registration link coming soon