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Environmental Considerations Associated with Hydraulic Fracturing Operations
book

Environmental Considerations Associated with Hydraulic Fracturing Operations

by James A. Jacobs, Stephen M. Testa
April 2019
Intermediate to advanced content levelIntermediate to advanced
576 pages
27h 32m
English
Wiley
Content preview from Environmental Considerations Associated with Hydraulic Fracturing Operations

10Ecological Resources

10.1 Introduction

During the production and processing of unconventional oil and gas resources, impacts to ecological resources and, in particular, to wildlife habitat can occur. The two main areas of wildlife impact are (i) habitat destruction or fragmentation by oil and gas production and associated development and (ii) ecosystem damage by spillage and leakage of solid‐, liquid‐, or gas‐phase contaminants. For production facilities such as well pads, access roads, and other infrastructure, ecological resources can be degraded. However, wildlife habitat damage can be limited by reducing surface disturbances and minimizing production footprints, limiting hours of operation in sensitive areas, limiting excessive noise and light, and minimizing habitat fragmentation. Monitoring endangered or protected species, especially on lands owned by the Bureau of Land Management, US Park Service, and other public lands, provides the scientific baseline for evaluating energy development impacts to ecological resources and mitigation measures.

Resources are areas to protect and issues are areas to mitigate. Ecosystem resources and issues are discussed as follows.

10.2 Ecosystem Resources

Wetlands and other natural habitats, which may be the location for access roads, well sites, or mine sites, can provide a variety of important ecosystem resources.

10.2.1 Regulating Services

  • Climate regulation
  • Disturbances regulation
  • Water regulation
  • Waste regulation

10.2.2 Supporting ...

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Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9781119336099Purchase book