Baseline studies and microbial degradation experiments of chemicals used in coal seam gas activities in Narrabri
This fact sheet describes the methods and outcomes of a CSIRO research project which has delivered critical insights into the Narrabri region’s groundwater, surface water and soil microbiomes.
As part of broader efforts to reduce uncertainty about potential environmental impacts, researchers established microbial and chemical baselines, and assessed the capacity of microbial communities to degrade a range of CSG chemicals likely to be used in the region.
Most chemicals tested degraded completely in groundwaters, surface waters and soils of the region. Faster degradation occurred in soils than in groundwaters though some chemicals, particularly the alcohol ethoxylates mixtures, persisted in the groundwaters and trace amounts of these same compounds persisted in soils.
The results of this Narrabri-based project build on the results of previous CSIRO studies conducted in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Researchers in these other studies also observed that microbial communities degrade chemicals used in CSG production activities – quite rapidly in soils and more slowly in groundwater.