News Release
------------------------------
August 28, 2013 Diana Papoulias (USGS) 573-876-1902d <gmrogall@usgs.gov>
papoulias@usgs.gov <dpapoulias@usgs.gov> Tom MacKenzie (USFWS)404-679-7291
tom_mackenzie@fws.gov
------------------------------
Photo available at: http://www.fws.gov/spoutheast: Blackside dace are a
type of minnow and are found only parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, and western
Virginia. Photo Credit: Conservation Fisheries, Inc. *Hydraulic Fracturing
Fluids Likely Harmed Threatened Kentucky Fish Species*
Hydraulic fracturing fluids are believed to be the cause of the widespread
death or distress of aquatic species in Kentucky’s Acorn Fork, after
spilling from nearby natural gas well sites. These findings are the result
of a joint study by the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
The Acorn Fork, a small Appalachian creek, is habitat for the federally
threatened Blackside dace, a small colorful minnow. The Acorn Fork is
designated by Kentucky as an Outstanding State Resource Waters.
“Our study is a precautionary tale of how entire populations could be put
at risk even with small-scale fluid spills,” said USGS scientist Diana
Papoulias, the study’s lead author. “This is especially the case if the
species is threatened or is only found in limited areas, like the Blackside
dace is in the Cumberland.”
The Blackside dace typically lives in small, semi-isolated groups, so
harmful events run the risk of completely eliminating a local population.
The species is primarily threatened with loss of habitat.
After the spill of hydraulic fracturing fluid, state and federal scientists
observed a significant die-off of aquatic life in Acorn Fork including the
Blackside dace as well as several more common species like the Creek chub
and Green sunfish. They had been alerted by a local resident who witnessed
the fish die-off. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Commonwealth
of Kentucky are currently working towards restoration of the natural
resources that were injured by the release.
To determine the cause of the fish die-off, the researchers collected water
and fish samples immediately following the chemical release in 2007.
The samples analyses and results clearly showed that the hydraulic
fracturing fluids degraded water quality in Acorn Fork, to the point that
the fish developed gill lesions, and suffered liver and spleen damage as
well.
“This is an example of how the smallest creatures can act as a canary in a
coal mine,” said Tony Velasco, Ecologist for the Fish and Wildlife office
in Kentucky, who coauthored the study, and initiated a multi-agency
response when it occurred in 2007. “These species use the same water as we
do, so it is just as important to keep our waters clean for people and for
wildlife.”
The gill lesions were consistent with exposure to acidic water and toxic
concentrations of heavy metals. These results matched water quality
samples from Acorn Fork that were taken after the spill.
After the fracturing fluids entered Acorn Fork Creek, the water’s pH
dropped from 7.5 to 5.6, and stream conductivity increased from 200 to
35,000 microsiemens per centimeter. A low pH number indicates that the
creek had become more acidic, and the stream conductivity indicated that
there were higher levels of dissolved elements including iron and aluminum.
Blackside dace are a species of ray-finned fish found only in the
Cumberland River basin of Kentucky and Tennessee and the Powell River basin
of Virginia. It has been listed as a federally-threatened
species<http://ecos.fws.gov/...ster/fr1269.pdf> by
the Service since 1987.
Hydraulic fracturing is the most common method for natural gas
well-development in Kentucky.
The report is entitled “Histopathological Analysis of Fish from Acorn Fork
Creek, Kentucky Exposed to Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid Releases,” and is
published in the scientific journal *Southeastern
Naturalist*<http://www.eaglehill...aturalist.shtml>,
in a special edition devoted to the Blackside dace.
To learn more about this study and other contaminants research, please
visit the USGS Environmental Health webpage<http://www.usgs.gov/envirohealth/>
, the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center<http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/>,
or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Environmental Contaminants web
page<http://www.fws.gov/contaminants/>
.
--
*Tom R. MacKenzie*
Media Relations Specialist and Native American Liaison
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Southeast Region
1875 Century Blvd Ste 410
Atlanta, GA 30345-3319
404-679-7291 Fax:404-679-7286 Cell: 678-296-6400
http://www.fws.gov/southeast
tom_mackenzie@fws.gov
Blackside Dace poisoned by leakage from gas wells
Started by
Guest_gerald_*
, Aug 30 2013 08:50 AM
7 replies to this topic
#2
littlen
-
- NANFA Member
- Washington, D.C.
Posted 30 August 2013 - 12:30 PM
It's sad to hear stories like this all the time. What we rarely hear is what, if any, consequences the culprits face. A 'slap-on-the-wrist' fine? What's the point of federally listing a species if nothing serious results in after a "widespread death" event of said species?
Nick L.
#3
Guest_gerald_*
Guest_gerald_*
-
- Guests
Posted 30 August 2013 - 12:53 PM
We'll need to keep tabs on where this goes, regarding "consequences" to the "culprits" and whether it results in any better safeguards to mitigate the risks. NC's new administration elected last fall is working to permit gas extraction in the Sanford-Durham Triassic Basin along the Deep River in Chatham, Lee, and Moore counties, NC - the Cape Fear Shiner's last stand.
#5
Michael Wolfe
-
- Board of Directors
-
- North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage
Posted 04 September 2013 - 08:38 PM
Having been in the (ice cold freeze my blood in my veins) water with these amazing fish, it convinces me that if people could see what the live creature looks like, they would be so amazed that they would want to protect the fish, the habitat and everything!
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#7
Guest_jblaylock_*
Guest_jblaylock_*
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- Guests
Posted 05 September 2013 - 08:24 AM
I have been collecting less than 2 miles from this creek in Stoney Fork. And if the fluids are killing Creek Chubs....that must be some strong stuff. No wonder the cancer rates in eastern KY are so high. People forget where their drinking water comes from.
#8
Guest_EricaLyons_*
Guest_EricaLyons_*
-
- Guests
Posted 05 September 2013 - 09:58 AM
If there is anything I can do to vote against that, let me know. For example if there's like a change.org petition against it or an automated 'send it to your representative' letter, I'd sign it.NC's new administration elected last fall is working to permit gas extraction in the Sanford-Durham Triassic Basin along the Deep River in Chatham, Lee, and Moore counties, NC - the Cape Fear Shiner's last stand.
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