Ethane is a reliable geochemical tracer that can be used as a single line of evidence to identify a potential gas migration issue. Ethane and longer chain hydrocarbons are produced during the thermal degradation of organic matter (kerogen) over geological timescales. Microbial processes in the shallow geology...
Measure Twice, Cut Once: How to Save Time & Money on GM Testing
Inconclusive gas migration tests are both costly and frustrating. Many times, completed tests still provide no real answer. Exposing the wellhead remains your only option to identify and fix otherwise unsuspected gas migration (GM). Wouldn’t it be great to get it right the first time?
Clean Sampling = Accurate Results: How to Ensure Your GM Isotope Geochemistry is Never Wrong
In recent weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with potential clients, several of whom are questioning the isotope numbers they received from the labs. Some are even suspicious of the very use of isotope geochemistry to help identify well issues, such as surface casing vent flows or even gas migration.
Social Media Sensationalism Can Frack Up the Truth
Social media chatter regarding a recent Environmental Science & Technology site publication caught my attention. The article covers fracking (a very, very bad word in today’s society), and how polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were high near gas production areas studied by this article. Since I am passionate...
Dioxins and Furans 101
Introduction to ‘Dioxins’
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are considered some of the most toxic chemicals known to man. We can argue about the apparent toxicity some other time, but personally, I think it might be a little over exaggerated. Nowadays, it is very...
An 'Aha' moment during environmental forensics study
I was working through a report and presentation my company had made on environmental forensics fingerprinting of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from a spill event. I really was enjoying the project because all the data 'made sense'. Nothing makes you feel more confident about results from a big project when...
Stinky Sulphur Compounds Do Not Last Long
I was recently working on a project examining odours and had to plan out the difficult logistics of having samples shipped out same day to the laboratory for analysis because of literature documented instability. As I work around these logistics, I can see why many people choose to ignore the fact as it does make life...
Oil Sands Contributing to PAH Deposition in Lakes in Northern Alberta
Oil sands development in Alberta has been getting a lot of bad press lately. From Dr. Schindler’s work calling for more science to the federal government of Canada taking over monitoring programs and developing scientific advisory panels.
POPs, Earwax and environmental forensics?
Environmental forensics is the application of scientific methods used to identify the origin and timing of a contaminant release. Continuous passive collection of POPs over decades of time provides a timeline that can be used to date contaminant episodes and releases. Whale ear wax just happens to provide just that…