IMPACT OF AMD AND MARCELLUS SHALE GAS-WELL DRILLING ON SURFACE WATER QUALITY IN CENTRE, CLEARFIELD AND CLINTON COUNTIES, PA

With the sustained Marcellus Shale gas-well drilling in central Pennsylvania, Lock Haven University Water and Environmental Lab continued its ongoing relationships with several community-based organizations to monitor the quality of surface water in the proximity of various Marcellus Shale drilling locations. Participating organizations included the Clearfield and Centre County chapters of the Pennsylvania Senior Environmental Corps, Beech Creek Watershed Association, Centre County Conservation District and the South Renovo Borough Water Supply System. Numerous sub-watersheds of the West Branch Susquehanna River, including the Hall Run, Beech Creek, and various small watersheds in Clearfield County, have been selected to provide baseline water testing as a service to the surrounding communities. The study was intended to monitor potential areas for contamination due to natural gas extraction. Measured field parameters included temperature, pH, DO, TDS, conductance, ORP, and surface discharge in the monitored streams. Additional lab analyses yielded several cation and anions, such as total iron, aluminum, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, zinc, arsenic, barium, sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, bromide and chloride concentrations in our study locations.

Multiple conclusions have been reached regarding the water quality of the monitored watersheds. The water quality in the Hall Run watershed persistently tested below the maximum contaminant levels permissible for safe drinking water. Likewise, samples collected from the Beech Creek watershed did not reveal any chemical signatures related to natural gas extraction processes. However, Beech Creek as well as sub-watersheds investigated within Clearfield County exhibited pervasive AMD impairment, which is a direct result of legacy coal mining. Through active collaboration with community-based organizations, students have the opportunity to garner research experience, while providing a valuable service to the greater community. This study has far-reaching implications for policy-making in regards to the development of Marcellus Shale as a resource while protecting the environment and preserving human health.