Wastewater produced from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) contains salts (anions and cations), metals, and radioisotopes that have been mobilized from the hydrocarbon-rich shale layer. When high-pressure is used to crack the shale, wastewater flows to the surface where it is subject to different fates. Fracking wastewater can be disposed of into injection wells if no further use is required. If the wastewater will be used in subsequent fracking events, the water is first desalinated prior to mixing with additives. Lastly, wastewater can be sent to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) to be treated prior to surface water discharge. Due to health and environmental safety concerns, anions, cations and organic acids found in fracking wastewaters that will not be directly disposed of should be monitored. Reagent-Free™ Ion Chromatography (RFIC™) systems can be used to determine the concentrations of anions, cations, and organic acids that are commonly found in fracking waters.
United States
