Energy & Fuels, Vol.35, No.2, 1629-1637, 2021
Effect of Ultrafiltration-Reverse-Osmosis-Treated Shale Gas Wastewater on Seed Germination and Plant Growth
The safe disposal or reclaim of shale gas flowback and produced water (SGFPW) is a significant challenge given the large amounts and typically heavy contamination. The high levels of total dissolved solids, particulate matter, and organics combined with naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and heavy metals reflect the composition of SGFPW, bearing potential environmental hazards of bioaccumulation of contaminants in localized areas of shale gas wastewater disposal. This study investigated the effects of ultrafiltration-reverse-osmosis-treated shale gas wastewater on vegetable seed germination, plant growth performance, and ion concentration in plants, which offered a momentous exploration of the feasibility study on agricultural use for SGFPW reuse. The resulting uptake of heavy metals by vegetables is relatively low, and the radioactive elements are reduced to a safe level as a result of treating water used for irrigation, selecting appropriate crops, and greenhouse cultivation. Through reduction of the bioaccumulation and metal concentrations from SGFPW to plants, this approach decreases health risks associated with NORM intake from edible vegetable biomass.