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SUMMARY:Baseline Geochemical study of the natural gas and Karoo formation 
 waters prior to Fracking
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20141001T091000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20141001T092000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261006T154126Z
UID:indico-contribution-3984@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Moipone Precious Mokoena (AEON - NMMU)\nThe potentia
 l for shale gas extraction in the South African Karoo has been one of the 
 most controversial issues because of the unknown extent of socio-economic 
 and environmental impacts. Although we can learn about the pros and cons o
 f shale gas development from the US and other countries\, South Africa’s
  unique geology and semi-arid climate makes the extraction of gas more com
 plex.  South African geohydrological challenges include limited water reso
 urces\, gaps in geohydrological research\, potential release of the thermo
 genic gas into the shallow aquifers and dolerite intrusions associated wit
 h high yielding wells that create preferential pathways for water between 
 solid dolerite and adjacent Karoo sediments. \nThe aim of this research is
  to establish a geochemical baseline data of groundwater resources in the 
 South African Eastern Cape Karoo by primarily focusing on methane gas emis
 sions (with emphasis on previously deep Soekor boreholes)\, the origin of 
 methane gas and the analysis of current water quality.  Stray-gas discharg
 e via connected fractures into shallow formation waters or to the surface 
 can result in contamination of domestic groundwater and air.\nIsotope char
 acterization of 13C/12C\, 18O\\16O and 2H\\1H ratios analysed by the Picar
 ro cavity ring-down spectrometer and Gas Chromatograph-ICP-MS will be used
  as environmental tracers to fingerprint the origin of methane and also ev
 aluate whether gases originating at deeper horizons will have impact on sh
 allow aquifers.  Compilation of historic and current water quality results
  will be used to compare and construct a database of groundwater quality\,
  characterise the groundwater type and status. Along with laboratory exper
 iments\, computational (chemical-mass-transport models) studies will be co
 nducted to further reach the objectives of the research.\nThe geochemical 
 database from this research will serve as benchmark against which future g
 roundwater qualities can be evaluated to identify contaminant impacts that
  might originate from deep wells. The understanding gained during the rese
 arch is likely to be valuable to farmers\, communities and government inst
 itutions affected by deep drilling\, hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and o
 ther processes related to the shale gas development.\nKeyword: Isotopes\, 
 Methane\, Natural gas\, Karoo water quality\, Fracking\, Hydraulic Fractur
 ing\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/40/contributions/3984/
LOCATION:Matjiesfontein's Lord Milner Hotel Conference Room\, Matjiesfonte
 in Station
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/40/contributions/3984/
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