The degradation¹ of drilling sumps（池） associated with hydrocarbon² extraction can negatively affect aquatic³ ecosystems⁴, according to new research published November 6th in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Joshua Thienpont and colleagues at Queen's University and other institutions. Hydrocarbons⁵ are a primary source of energy as combustible⁶（易燃的） fuel. Although hydrocarbon exploration and extraction are profitable enterprises, hydrocarbons contribute to the formation of greenhouse gases and are therefore a major stressor to the environment.

 

During the process of exploring for hydrocarbons, drilling sumps are used to permanently⁷ store the waste associated with drilling. In the Mackenzie Delta⁸ region of Canada's western Arctic, more than 150 drilling sumps were constructed for this purpose. Although the areas surrounding the sumps were believed to be frozen by the surrounding permafrost（永久冻土）, recent findings suggest that these areas may actually be thawing¹⁰（融化）. In this study, the authors examine the environmental effects of this type of drilling sump containment¹¹ loss in the Mackenzie Delta.

 

Because drilling fluids are saline, they tested whether leakage¹² to surface waters was occurring by measuring changes in conductivity, as saline is more conductive than pure water. They also hypothesized that if saline-rich wastes from drilling sumps were impacting lakes, there should be changes in the types of life forms present. Zooplankton, for example, are a key component¹³ of aquatic ecosystems and various species survive differently in saline（盐的） versus¹⁴ fresh water.

 

Through an analysis of lake sediments¹⁵, they found changes in the community composition of zooplankton due to sump degradation. These results suggest that climate change and permafrost thaw⁹ can have deleterious consequences to aquatic life through the degradation and leaking of drilling sumps.

 

Thienpont elaborates, "The leaching¹⁶ of wastes from drilling sumps represents a newly identified example of one of the cumulative¹⁷ impacts of recent climate change impacting the sensitive freshwater ecosystems of the Arctic."

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