Background of Frac Sand Mining in Wisconsin

What is Frac Sand Mining?

  Frac sand mining is the extraction of valuable frac sand, a specific type of quartz, that is used in the process of hydraulic fracturing. To understand the importance of frac sand and the mining of it one must understand hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing, sometimes referred to as “fracking” is the process of gas and oil shale extraction from newly reachable depths. By fracturing the Earth’s crust at large depths openings are created for instruments to extract the shale. Frac sand, along with a mixture of other solutions such as water and carbon, is used as the main proppant within the fractures. Therefore, the importance of frac sand mining stems from the heavy reliance on oil and gas throughout the world.

Frac Sand Mining in Wisconsin

  In 2014, the United States lead the world in frac sand extraction with over 54 million metric tons of frac sand (D. Bleiwas, 2015). Nearly half of this came from the state of Wisconsin. Located in the central and western part of the state, Wisconsin contains over 135 active frac sand mines, processing plants, and transportation railways (Figure 1)(Walters et al., 2015). The process of frac sand mining takes place on sandstone formations from the Cambrian and Ordovician periods in the Paleozoic era. Formations from this period located in Wisconsin include the Jordan, Wonewoc, St. Peter, and the Mt. Simon formations (WDNR, p. 4). The biggest frac sand producing counties of Wisconsin are Chippewa, Trempealeau, Jackson, and Monroe. However, frac sand mining reaches as far north as Burnett county, as far west as Pierce County, and as far west as Waupaca County. Figure 1 show the dominant presence of frac sand mining throughout the state of Wisconsin.

Impacts of Frac Sand Mining

There are several negative consequences that result from frac sand mining operations. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, there are various environmental impacts that frac sanding can lead to if proper precautions are not followed. The process of frac sand mining can have harmful effects on air. Dust from mining and handling of the sand and pollution from the heavy machinery can decrease the quality of the air. Frac sand mining also impacts the water resources in the areas near the mining sites. If located near a water system, the air pollutants can travel and settle in these open sources, runoff from the site, or pollutants may seep into the underground sources. The vulnerability of freshwater sources during the mining process can also have a negative effect on fisheries. Poisoned or polluted water can harm the biological life within these systems. Warm water runoff could increase water temperatures creating an unusual habitat for these animals.

This may lead to negative economic impacts as well due to the large presence fishing has in the state of Wisconsin. Because of frac sand mining, there is concern that there will be a burden put onto recreational lands. The frac sand mining operation comes with noise, air quality issues, dust, light during the night, and heavy traffic.  Traffic and other transportation impacts are a large concern for citizens of the area. The heavy loads of trucks for hours out of the day will lower the service life of the roads and harm the condition. Frac sand mining operations are often very large and that room comes with loss of forests and other types land cover. They are also not an appealing site. This comes with concern about overall unhappiness brought by the dominant frac sand mining operations.  

 Application of GIS on Frac Sand Mining Operations

This blog will be dedicated to the application of GIS software on frac sand Mining operations in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. With GIS, we are able to map locations of sand mine facilities, processing stations, and other related destinations. Because of the many concerns regarding the impacts of Frac sand mining, we hope to gain a better understanding of the relationships between these locations and other features. We also are able to map routes for transportation and calculate the effects that the hard labor could have on the roads. With the tools learned in the introductory course and the new tools in this course we will be able to provide analysis on the factors regarding the frac sand mining operations.

References

D. Bleiwas, “Estimates of Hydraulic Fracturing (Frac) Sand Production, Consumption, and Reserves in the United States.". Accessed December 12, 2015. http://www.rockproducts.com/frac-sand/14403-estimates-of-hydraulic-fracturing-frac-sand-production-consumption-and-reserves-in-the-united-states.html#.Vmx7CPkrLIV).

Robertson, J.M., Frac Sand Mining in Wisconsin, 2016, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Madison, Wisconsin

Silica Sand Mining in Wisconsin. Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, 2012.

Walters, K., J. Jacobson, Z. Kroening, and C. Pierce. "PM 2.5 Airborne Particulates Near Frac Sand                Operations." Journal of Environmental Health 78, no. 4 (2015): 8-12. doi:2015.