Development of Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resources in the Appalachian Basin Workshop Summary (2014) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
4 Ecosystems, Air, and Climate
4 Ecosystems, Air, and Climate
Pages 25-32
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 25... ...
PLENARY PRESENTATIONS Potential Impacts of Unconventional Hydrocarbon Production on Stream Biota: Current and Needed Research Kelly Maloney, U.S. Geological Survey Maloney noted that little data have been collected on the direct effects of hydrocarbon production on stream biota, and so inferences have to be drawn from research on other types of disturbances to landscape conditions, such as agriculture, urbanization, and road construction.
|
From page 26... ...
is an effort by local government agencies, land trusts, and energy companies to create or enhance wildlife habitats along natural gas pipeline and electricity corridors.1 Maloney concluded with some topics for discussion, including the extent to which the wealth of data from activities such as agriculture and construction can be used to guide management and research on unconventional hydrocarbon production. Other issues include the availability of indicator species or biomarkers to detect habitat disturbance, the effects of habitat fragmentation and invasive species on stream ecosystems, and the efficacy of industry best management practices.
|
From page 27... ...
Assessing and Minimizing Ecological Impacts of Shale Development Michael Powelson, The Nature Conservancy Powelson discussed the potential environmental footprint of unconventional hydrocarbon development. The Nature Conservancy develops ecological scenarios using information on reserves and current trends in energy development to create models of future development patterns.
|
From page 28... ...
Passing vehicles create spikes in nitrogen oxides, which affect ozone formation and air quality. Steps that could be taken to understand the interaction between nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the Appalachian region include establishing an air sampling network to identify species and sources of
|
From page 29... ...
Emissions associated with electricity generation, for example, depend on the relative efficiencies of natural gas and coal power plants, how power plants are scheduled to produce energy (which depends on the marginal cost of production, technological constraints, and the need to instantly match supply and demand) , plans to retire coal plants, and how renewable energy sources, which produce variable and intermittent energy, are integrated into the power system.
|
From page 30... ...
warming because methane leakage warms the atmosphere and aerosols produced by coal combustion cool the atmosphere. Jaramillo concluded that the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions from shale gas can be higher than those from conventional gas.
|
From page 31... ...
Some working groups suggested involving citizens, extension services, or county conservation agents in data collection or monitoring. For example, the development of sensors that are inexpensive and easy to operate, such as those on weather stations operated by volunteers, 3 could significantly 3 More than 11,000 volunteers collect weather observations as part of the National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program.
|
From page 32... ...
Some individuals said that the industry already takes ecological impacts into consideration when planning development. Technical and Engineering Issues The working groups identified a number of technical and engineering issues that need further attention, including placing wells, pipelines, and facilities in locations that minimize environmental impacts while optimizing hydrocarbon production; and developing techniques and strategies to reduce the effect of noise and light pollution on ecosystems and communities.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.