Baseline studies for assessing risks to groundwater from onshore oil and gas and other deep subsurface activities
Investigates the typical ‘baseline’ range of concentrations of substances that could be associated with onshore oil and gas.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This project investigated the typical ‘baseline’ range of concentrations of substances that could be associated with onshore oil and gas and other deep subsurface activities in 3 aquifers. It also developed a rapid assessment method to understand likely baseline chemistry conditions in other aquifers that have not been the subject of detailed investigation
Baseline groundwater chemistry data tell us the quality of groundwater before new activities that could impact the aquifer take place and can be used to identify changes to groundwater quality once an activity has started. Baselines can be carried out at specific locations (for example, oil and gas sites), or can provide more general information about water quality across a wider area. Baselines are an important tool for monitoring change and protecting groundwater resources from new activities.
The 3 reports associated with this project have been published by the British Geological Survey and are available via the following links:
- Baseline studies for assessing risks to groundwater from onshore oil and gas and other deep subsurface activities: synthesis report
- Baseline groundwater chemistry: the Lower Greensand aquifer of South East England
- Baseline groundwater chemistry: the Pennine Coal Measures of the East Midlands and South Yorkshire