WVU Researcher Studies Methane Sources in Mon Watershed

WVU Assistant Professor Shikha Sharma

Pam Casey reported in The State Journal today that “WVU’s Shikha Sharma believes that residents and researchers should be aware of what already exists in the waters — and where it came from.”   Sharma, an assistant professor at WVU, intends to employ isotope identification to distinguish biogenic methane from thermogenic methane in aquifers and develop a map of those findings within the Monongahela River watershed.

Biogenic methane is produced by bacterial decay of organic matter.  Thermogenic methane, as the name implies, is created when organic matter is exposed to heat and pressure forces, typically deep in the earth.  Methane extracted from hydraulically fracked wells is thermogenic in nature and can be identified as such by its isotopic signature.  Casey’s report provides more information about the science behind isotopic differentiation of methane; it’s an enjoyable read for those such as myself with a scientific bent.

The documentary Gasland included graphic footage of “flammable” tap water due to methane contamination.  Casey states that Chesapeake Energy and Cabot Oil and Gas collectively have paid $5 million in the past year to compensate Pennsylvania landowners for methane contamination of drinking water wells.  The release of methane gas from tap water creates a  risk of explosion within a home.  The ability to sell a home is impacted if the homeowner must rely upon water delivery and storage in water buffalos as a remedy to methane gas in his drinking water.

Sharma and her graduate assistant have already collected 40 samples from drinking water wells.  Per the report, Sharma’s research is funded by a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Geological Survey provided through the West Virginia Water Research Institute, and is being completed in collaboration with scientists in the USGS West Virginia Water Science Center in Charleston.

This could prove to be a timely study as Northeast Natural Energy embarked upon fracking in the Morgantown Industrial Park last week.

Tagged as: fracking, marcellus shale, methane, Monongahela River, natural gas, Shikha Sharma, WVU