Emerging contaminants in shale gas extraction: sources, characteristics, and potential risks

Le résumé fourni par la source

The extraction of shale gas, a vital unconventional resource in the global energy mix, predominantly relies on horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. A consequential byproduct of this process is the generation of substantial quantities of solid and liquid waste. These waste streams present a potential hazard by functioning as primary vectors for a wide range of emerging contaminants, primarily including persistent organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, endocrine-disrupting chemicals like nonylphenol ethoxylates and phthalates biocides, particularly quaternary ammonium compounds, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes. These substances pose considerable threats to ecosystem and human health due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and inherent toxicity. This review systematically analyzes the sources and characteristics of these emerging contaminants across the entire shale gas lifecycle, from drilling to final waste management. It further evaluates their potential environmental risks and underscores the limitations of current treatment technologies, which frequently prove inadequate for the complete removal of trace-level pollutants, and may even generate toxic transformation products. Consequently, the study puts forward a set of integrated mitigation and management strategies. The overarching goal is to support the sustainable development of the shale gas industry by reconciling energy production with critical environmental protection requirements.

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