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dc.contributor.advisorDennis, I.
dc.contributor.authorPretorius, Jennifer-Lee
dc.date.accessioned2017-04-06T06:45:07Z
dc.date.available2017-04-06T06:45:07Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10394/21123
dc.descriptionMSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2016en_US
dc.description.abstractHydraulic fracturing, also known as hydrofracking or fracking is being considered in the Karoo region of South Africa in order to enhance energy supplies and improve the economic sector. It will also lead to independence in terms of reduced amount of imports for fuel. This is due to an estimated 13.7 trillion cubic metres of technically recoverable shale-gas reserves in South Africa (Soeder, 2010; Vaidyanathan, 2012). Fracking is an extraction technique used to access natural methane gas, which is interbedded in shale deposits deep under the earth’s surface. In this process boreholes are drilled vertically and then horizontally into shale formations to cover a larger area in the shale and subsequently attain more natural gas. After these boreholes are drilled, large volumes of water, mixed with chemicals and sand, are pumped into these boreholes under a very high pressure, forcing the natural gas out. This water mixture is referred to as the fracking fluid. Water is the main component in the fracking fluid and the water used for the fluid reaches volumes up to 30 million litres per borehole (Finewood & Stroup, 2012; Soeder, 2010). Concerns exist regarding the environmental impacts that might follow due to the hydraulic fracturing (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2012b). The aim of this study is to investigate the probability and extent of pollutant movement in the groundwater systems of the Karoo by means of numerical modelling using Processing Modflow, MT3DMS and Fracman software. In these models, disclosed chemicals used in fracking fluids are included to determine the probability of impact fracking might have on the groundwater systems in the area. Different scenarios were investigated in order to determine the possible outcomes of each. Results obtained from model simulations indicate that pollutant migration to the surface is indeed a possible result of fracking as traces of pollutants were observed in the surface layer of the model as well as all the other layers above that in which the fracking fluid was injected. This was the case for each scenario that was investigated, proving the hypothesis of this study. A rise in the water levels in each scenario of the model was also observed, signifying rising pollutants towards the surface. Benzene was chosen as the pollutant to simulate. It is also known as a toxic chemical to humans and wildlife which has carcinogenic effects (Earthworks, 2012). The results obtained for the migration of benzene in the subsurface are revealed in this study.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherNorth-West University (South Africa)en_US
dc.subjectHydraulic fracturingen_US
dc.subjectFrackingen_US
dc.subjectFracking fluiden_US
dc.subjectMethane gasen_US
dc.subjectShale depositsen_US
dc.subjectKarooen_US
dc.subjectGroundwater systemsen_US
dc.subjectEnvironmental impactsen_US
dc.subjectMass transporten_US
dc.titleModelling of the impacts of fracking on the Karoo groundwater systemsen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.description.thesistypeMastersen_US
dc.contributor.researchID23616857 - Dennis, Ingrid (Supervisor)


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