title: Estimating Emissions of Toxic Hydrocarbons from Natural Gas Production Sites in the Barnett Shale Region of Northern Texas.
abstract: Oil and natural gas operations have continued to expand and move closer to densely populated areas, contributing to growing public concerns regarding exposure to hazardous air pollutants. During the Barnett Shale Coordinated Campaign in October, 2013, ground-based whole air samples collected downwind of oil and gas sites revealed enhancements in several potentially toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when compared to background values. Molar emissions ratios relative to methane were determined for hexane, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX compounds). Using methane leak rates measured from the Picarro mobile flux plane (MFP) system and a Barnett Shale regional methane emissions inventory, the rates of emission of these toxic gases were calculated. Benzene emissions ranged between 51 ± 4 and 60 ± 4 kg h-1. Hexane, the most abundantly emitted pollutant, ranged from 642 ± 45 to 1070 ± 340 kg h-1. While observed hydrocarbon enhancements fall below federal workplace standards, results may indicate a link between emissions from oil and natural gas operations and concerns about exposure to hazardous air pollutants. The larger public health risks associated with the production and distribution of natural gas are of particular importance and warrant further investigation, particularly as the use of natural gas increases in the United States and internationally.
authors: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 94035, United States.
authors: Josette E
authors: JE
authors: Marrero
authors: Departments of Geology and Geography, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, United States.
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Townsend-Small
authors: Environmental Defense Fund, Austin, Texas 78701, United States.
authors: David R
authors: DR
authors: Lyon
authors: Picarro, Inc., Santa Clara, California 95054, United States.
authors: Tracy R
authors: TR
authors: Tsai
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine , Irvine, California 92697, United States.
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Meinardi
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine , Irvine, California 92697, United States.
authors: Donald R
authors: DR
authors: Blake
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D059206:Natural Gas; D013781:Texas; D014481:United States; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D059206:Natural Gas; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds