A study by a University of Alberta biologist found wastewater chemical concentrations don’t need to be high to harm fish. The study was done by Greg Goss, biologist, and a team of researchers – noting the real risks stem from the disposal of fracking process water – just 2.5 litres of process water to 100 litres of fresh water had significant impacts on the livers and gills of fish.
“When we put these fluids back in, the fluids themselves generate chemicals that have detrimental biological effects,” said Goss. “There are endocrine-disrupting effects potentially involved in some of the chemicals.”
Researchers exposed rainbow trout to “sub-lethal” levels of fluids used in fracking – fluids that are pumped under high pressure into fracture rock formations to release oil and gas. The fluids used in testing by Goss and his team are similar to chemicals commonly used in the fracking industry.
The researchers exposed rainbow trout to “sub-lethal” levels of such fluids. The levels were intended to simulate exposure fish or other organisms would be subject to from a pipeline leak or a spill near a water body.
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Read CBC’s full story here.
Read about the provincial government’s decision to ban gas industry wastewater from municipal treatment systems here.