title: The Influence of Marcellus Shale Extraction Emissions on Regionally Monitored Dry Reactive Nitrogen Deposition.
abstract: Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the United States (U.S.) from large stationary sources, such as electric generating units, have decreased since 1995, driving decreases in nitrogen deposition. However, increasing NOxemissions from emerging industries, such as unconventional natural gas (UNG) extraction, could offset stationary source emission reductions in shale gas producing regions of the U.S. The Marcellus Shale in the northeastern U.S. has seen dramatic increases in the number of wells and associated natural gas production during the past 10 years. In this study, we examine the potential impacts of shale gas development on regional NOxemission inventories and dry deposition fluxes to Clean Air Status and Trends (CASTNET) sites in Pennsylvania and New York. Our results demonstrate that the current distribution of CASTNET sites is ineffective for monitoring the influence of Marcellus well NOxemissions on regional nitrogen deposition. Despite the fact that existing CASTNET sites are not influenced by UNG extraction activity, NOxemissions densities from shale gas extraction are substantial and are estimated to reach up to 21 kg NOxha-1year-1in some regions. If these emissions deposit locally, UNG extraction activity could contribute to critical nitrogen load exceedances in areas of high well density.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology and Environmental Science, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States.
authors.forename: Justin G
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3882-3064
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Coughlin
authors.affiliation: Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota , Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States.
authors.forename: Lucy A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology and Environmental Science, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bain
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology and Environmental Science, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States.
authors.forename: Emily M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D059206:Natural Gas; D009518:New York; D009584:Nitrogen; D010414:Pennsylvania; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D059206:Natural Gas; D009584:Nitrogen