Application of the DRASTIC Model to Assess the Vulnerability of Groundwater Contamination Near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to have a devastating effect on the well-being of Ukrainians and their environment. We evaluated a major environmental hazard caused by the war: the potential for groundwater contamination in proximity to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). We quantified groundwater vulnerability with the DRASTIC index, which was originally developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and has been used at various locations worldwide to assess relative pollution potential.

Low-temperature ion beam sputtered optical coatings.

In thin film deposition processes, the lower limit of the deposition temperature is determined by the used coating technology and the duration of the coating process and is usually higher than room temperature. Hence, the processing of thermally sensitive materials and the adjustability of thin film morphology are limited. In consequence, for factual low-temperature deposition processes, an active cooling of the substrate is required.

Permeability Decline by Clay Fines Migration around a Low-Salinity Fluid Injection Well.

Migration of clay fines can be a concern when less saline fluids are injected into brine-saturated sandstone formations containing clays. If the salinity near fluid injection wells decreases below a critical value, the clay fines near the injection may detach, start migrating, and finally clog the pores. This effect can cause permeability decline near the well and may rapidly reduce the well injectivity.

Adsorption and Capillary Condensation-Induced Imbibition in Nanoporous Media.

Multiphase flow phenomena in nanoporous media are encountered in many science and engineering applications. Shales, for example, possessing complex nanopore networks, have considerable importance as source rocks for unconventional oil and gas production and as low-permeability seals for geologic carbon sequestration or nuclear waste disposal. This study presents a theoretical investigation of the processes controlling adsorption, capillary condensation, and imbibition in such nanoporous media, with a particular focus on understanding the effects of fluid-fluid and fluid-pore wall interaction forces in the interconnected nanopore space.

Identifying chemicals of concern in hydraulic fracturing fluids used for oil production.

Chemical additives used for hydraulic fracturing and matrix acidizing of oil reservoirs were reviewed and priority chemicals of concern needing further environmental risk assessment, treatment demonstration, or evaluation of occupational hazards were identified. We evaluated chemical additives used for well stimulation in California, the third largest oil producing state in the USA, by the mass and frequency of use, as well as toxicity. The most frequently used chemical additives in oil development were gelling agents, cross-linkers, breakers, clay control agents, iron and scale control agents, corrosion inhibitors, biocides, and various impurities and product stabilizers used as part of commercial mixtures.