Hydraulic Fracturing Return Fluids from Offshore Hydrocarbon Extraction Present New Risks to Marine Ecosystems
Cheng Zhong, Yick Hang Kwan, Greg G. Goss, Daniel S. Alessi, Pei‐Yuan Qian
Abstract
A discussion on offshore hydrocarbon extraction via hydraulic fracturing, with particular focus on the resulting hydraulic fracturing-flowback and produced water (HF-FPW) and its impact on marine ecosystems. Studies of HF-FPW produced from terrestrial hydrocarbon extractions show that it contains a wide variety of salts and metals, chemical additives, petrogenic organic compounds, and transformation compounds. The release of waste HF-FPW, particularly in deep-sea environments, may result in long-term and irreversible effects on sensitive marine ecosystems. Future studies are needed to understand the impact of discharged HF-FPW on deep-sea marine (micro)organisms, including studying the fate of pollutants and developing new biomarkers with effective assessment methods.