You be the judge
Over the past few years, there has been a lot of concern about of our water quality. I will give you some of the information that I have obtained and you can decide. Also, I would like to give you the results of a survey that was taken in two of our local school districts.
In the past, the amount of bromide coming from mine discharges was little to none, but lately, the amount of bromide in mine water is much higher than in past years. For example, the highest reading of bromides coming from mining was 600 parts per billion (ppb) or 0.6 milligrams per liter (mg/l).
Recent readings from mining discharges have shown that bromide readings have been as high as 18,000 ppb or 18 mg/l. Another mine reading taken just a few months ago was 6,700 ppb or 6.7 mg/l. As you can see, the bromide levels have increased. The question is, where are these bromides coming from?
Look at what has happened lately in our area … the only thing that stands out is the drilling for Marcellus Gas. Is bromide a product of Marcellus Gas? The answer is yes. One of the reasons given by the regulatory agencies for the rate increase is that mining is going deeper and therefore there would be more bromide. The only problem with this theory is that both of these results mentioned are coming from abandoned mine discharges. These discharges are from abandoned mines. Actually, it has been 20 years – or more – since the mines have been active.
Bromide is a part of flow back water from Marcellus drilling. If all of the flow back water is accounted for, then where is the bromide coming from? The regulatory agencies claim that all the water from drilling is accounted for. Something just doesn’t add up.
Also, there has been a large increase in sodium coming from mine water discharges. Sodium sulfate is a common product of mining. Increases in sodium levels found in the discharges lead one to believe that there is some type of chemical reaction taking place in the underground mine water. These increases are coming from long-ago abandoned mine discharges.
Again, something just doesn’t add up.
Here are some of the problems: Radium 226, which is a product of Marcellus Gas drilling, will react with the sodium sulfate to produce sodium and radium sulfate. Radium sulfate is heavy and will precipitate out. Barium, which is also a product of Marcellus Gas drilling, will also react with sodium sulfate to produce barium sulfate and release sodium. This would mean that sodium amounts would increase in the mining discharges and that is exactly what is happening.
These are the facts, and you can judge for yourself from where the bromides are coming.
Next, there was recently a poll taken in two of our local school districts. The survey dealt with what the children wanted to learn in school. The overwhelming result (70 to 80 percent) wanted to learn about the environment and recreation activities. They wanted to learn about water issues, fishing, hunting, kayaking, etc.
There are curricula available for these requests. They need to be looked at for implementation. Again, you be the judge whether or not the kids will learn about these areas.
As always, trust in the facts and let them lead you to your answers … and never forget that there is always a higher power to consult.