Enrichment of Radon and Carbon Dioxide in the Open Atmosphere of an Australian Coal Seam Gas Field

Authors

Douglas R. Tait, Southern Cross University - Lismore, Australia
Isaac R. Santos, Southern Cross University - Lismore, Australia
Damien T. Maher, Southern Cross University - Lismore, Australia
Tyler Cyronak, Southern Cross University - Lismore, AustraliaFollow
Rachael J. Davis, Southern Cross University - Lismore, Australia

ORCID

0000-0003-3556-7616

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Environmental Science & Technology

ISSN

0013-936X

Publication Date

4-2-2013

Abstract

Atmospheric radon (²²²Rn) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations were used to gain insight into fugitive emissions in an Australian coal seam gas (CSG) field (Surat Basin, Tara region, Queensland). ²²²Rn and CO₂ concentrations were observed for 24 h within and outside the gas field. Both ²²²Rn and CO₂ concentrations followed a diurnal cycle with night time concentrations higher than day time concentrations. Average CO₂ concentrations over the 24-h period ranged from ∼390 ppm at the control site to ∼467 ppm near the center of the gas field. A ∼3 fold increase in maximum ²²²Rn concentration was observed inside the gas field compared to outside of it. There was a significant relationship between maximum and average ²²²Rn concentrations and the number of gas wells within a 3 km radius of the sampling sites (n = 5 stations; p < 0.05). A positive trend was observed between CO₂ concentrations and the number of CSG wells, but the relationship was not statistically significant. We hypothesize that the radon relationship was a response to enhanced emissions within the gas field related to both point (well heads, pipelines, etc.) and diffuse soil sources. Radon may be useful in monitoring enhanced soil gas fluxes to the atmosphere due to changes in the geological structure associated with wells and hydraulic fracturing in CSG fields.

DOI

10.1021/es304538g

Volume

47

Issue

7

First Page

3099

Last Page

3104

Comments

©2013 American Chemical Society

Additional Comments

ARC grant #s: LE120100156, DP120101645

NSUWorks Citation

Douglas R. Tait, Isaac R. Santos, Damien T. Maher, Tyler Cyronak, and Rachael J. Davis. 2013. Enrichment of Radon and Carbon Dioxide in the Open Atmosphere of an Australian Coal Seam Gas Field .Environmental Science & Technology , (7) : 3099 -3104. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/1018.