# Why Should We Stand for Geothermal Energy? Example of the Negative Impacts of Oil and Gas Exploration Activities over the Marine Environment

Polina Lemenkova

► To cite this version:

Polina Lemenkova. Why Should We Stand for Geothermal Energy? Example of the Negative Impacts of Oil and Gas Exploration Activities over the Marine Environment. Geoenergy, Grozny State Oil Technical University n.a. M.D. Millionshtchikov, Jun 2015, Grozny, Russia. pp.264-273, 10.6084/m9 figshare.7435490. hal-02021981

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13. Заурбеков Ш.Ш., Минцаев М.Ш., Шанпов А.А., Мамаев Ф.И., Черкасов С.В. Термальные воды Чеченской Республики и спективы их использования // Материалы Международной научно-практической конференции «Актуальные проблемы защите и жаущей среды и техносферной безопасности в меняющих антропогенных условиях». «Белые ночи - 2014». Грозный, 2014. С. 253-259.

УДК 550.8

WHY SHOULD WE STAND FOR GEOTHERMAL ENERGY?
EXAMPLE OF THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF OIL AND GAS
EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES OVER THE
MARINE ENVIRONMENT

©Lemenkova P.A.

Charles University in Prague, Institute for Environmental Studies, Prague

Geothermal energy is a clean, environmentally friedly, renewable resource that provides energy around the world. Heat flowing constantly from the interior of the Earth ensure to be an inexhaustible supply of energy. However, existing traditional sources of energy, such as oil and gas, are still popular nowadays. Current paper gives a remarkable example how eco - non friendly and environmentally dangerous these sources of energy are. The given example of oil and gas operations within the Timan Pechora basin in the shelf and the coast of the Pechora Sea causes contamination of waters by phenol and its accumulation in the bottom sediment and life tissues of the marine habitants. At the same time, the ecosystems of the south-eastern part of the Barents sea, the Pechora Sea, are characterised

Therefore, the broad objective of the study was to identify location of carbon deposits as sources of phenol contaminations accordingly to the nature features of the Pechora Sea ecosystem and to compare them with the distribution of the areas with high biological productivity and higher level of the primary production within the Pechora Sea. The results of the research demonstrate that both are located in the south-eastern part of the Pechora Sea. Thus, the major deposits of oil in Pechora Sea and amongst the Prirazlomnoe oil-field with large reserves of hydrocarbons are situated exactly in the eastern part of the Pechora Sea, some of them are located in immediate proximity to the coast. At the same time, shelf zone of the Pechora Sea is distinguished for its high level of the primary production, high bioproductivity and uniqueness of its natural resources, extremely hardly renewable under the conditions of the polar environment.

This paper details question of the ecological interrelation of the natural ecosystems and man's activities in this region, where any negative industrial human impacts can have an un-compensable consequences for the unique environment of this little sea. Also, the capability of aquatic ecosystem to resist towards human negative effects was examined, depending on the structure and character of its fundamental ecological components (e.g. types of bottom sediments, relief of the sea floor, and the direction of currents transferring).

**Introduction.** At present, among all the types of the sea water contaminations in the Arctic Ocean, the most vital part plays phenol and hydrocarbon contamination, what could be taken up as an example of global technogene contamination. Annual entrance of oil products from different sources into the marine environment of World Ocean in general estimates of about 1.7-8.7 mil tons, what exceeds natural confluent of oil [5]. Main causes of the seawater pollution by phenol and other contaminants are consequences of the oil spilling during the mining works, the damages and the
accidents at the pipelines, shipwrecks, oil drilling and rigs. Besides plating contamination, petroleum extraction brings others 'satellite' e.g. e.g. heavy metals, nitric oxides, benz(a)pyrene etc. Phenol contamination closely related with more and more increasing oil-drilling activities within the marine aquasities of Barents, Pechora, Other Seas, its transportation as a fuel of lubricating oils and other secondary chemical products.

Determinative factor in formation of modern ecological conditions in the hydrochemistry in the Pechora Sea has anthropogenic impact, mainly geological activities in the shelf and coastal regions [11]. It is closely linked with the intensity of the exploitation of the Timan-Pechora carbon basin and the Pechora coal-basin – major parts of industrial structure of Nenets autonomous region. The Timan-Pechora oil-gas carbon basin is the largest source of raw oil-energy materials in the northern part of Hainan. Within the Nenets, autonomous region 76 deposits of oil and gas are covered, including 64 oil-fields, 6 oil-gas, 4 gas-fields and 1 oil-gas deposit [16].

**Conditions for oil contamination.** Climatically, eastern seas of the Pechora Sea differs a lot from its western part, being similar to this of Kara Sea. The temperature of the eastern part of the Pechora region is extremely likely to Kara Sea, whereas the air temperatures of the western part of the Pechora are generally continue the Barents Sea climatic condition. The Pechora Sea has one of the mildest wind climate among other Arctic seas. The magnitude of the wind speed in the neighbouring seas (Barents and Kara) is quite similar, and this of Pechora is due from them. Moreover, while, the characteristics of the wind (its magnitude and directions) are responsible for different climate, currents and certain ice conditions in the Pechora Sea [6]. Western part of the Barents Sea has the most severe wind climate [6]. The Gulf Stream continues here, thus making western Barents Sea turbulent [12]. In contrast to it, the Pechora Sea is sheltered by constant lowest waves, compared to the Western Barents Sea. A constant current of the water in the Pechora Sea is mostly induced by Kanin, Kurgue and Like through the Kara Gates. The average speed of the Pechora Sea currents is about 0.02–0.05 m/s, which is lower than in the Barents Sea with its 0.05–0.5 m/s. Significantly higher speeds of water motion are due to the drift and tides. Generally, rather passive tempo of currents in the Pechora Sea calls forth certain stagnation and makes favorite conditions for the holding of the oil spills and contaminants within the waters.

<caption>Table 2</caption>

Monthly mean air temperature and extreme minimum $T^o$ [8].

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>January</th><th>February</th><th>March</th><th>April</th></tr><tr><th></th><th>T<sub>mean</sub></th><th>T<sub>min</sub></th><th>T<sub>mean</sub></th><th>T<sub>min</sub></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Western Sea (central)</td><td>-5.0</td><td>-24</td><td>-7</td><td>-24</td></tr><tr><td>Western Pechora Sea</td><td>-10.6</td><td>-40</td><td>-12.6</td><td>-40</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Western Pechora Sea</strong></td><td><strong>-17.5</strong></td><td><strong>-48</strong></td><td><strong>-18.3</strong></td><td><strong>-48</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Eastern Sea</td><td>-18.3</td><td>-50</td><td>-20.1</td><td>-50</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>-20.7</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>-48</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>-12.4</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>-38</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Oil and gas activities in the region of Timan-Pechora.** Actually, four deposits of the oil-fields are being exploited at the territory of Nenets autonomous region with the total size of 3,5 mil ton annually. At present, the main activities that are being carried out are the as follows: exploration of the Varandey oil gas field (under construction), the exploratory boring and preparation of the Prizamnozoe deposit for further exploitation and others. Taking into account the oil drilling and production of Prizamnozoe and Varandey deposits, the volume of carbon extraction will be increased until the 15-20 mil ton annually [16]. Maximal content of the phenols and oil products in the bottom sediments of the Pechora Sea is fixed in the samples, taken in the region Bolvanskios Nos and also at the sandbar of the Pechora river, where the bottom sediments are represented by the siltys sands. High levels of the phenols are fixed in the samples of the bottom sediments, taken by the shelf zone of the cape Konstantinovskiy, which can be explained by the drain of rivers Khylchiya and Dresvyanka where test oil-drilling is being practiced. The content of the phenols in the samples, taken by cappe Bolvanskios Nos (0.8-0.9 mg/kg) exceeds 8-10 times those in the bottom sediments of the border zone 'bay-sea'. Higher content of the phenols are located in the zones with the siltstone-silty sediments [16].

**Sources of the oil contamination in the Pechora Sea.** One of the main sources of oil contamination in the Pechora Sea is maritime transportation. At present, due to the exploration of the oil-fields in the Pechora and Barents seas, discharge of the oil products is essentially increased both in the process of exploitation of the deposits, and by the transportation. What is more alerting, the intensity of the navigation, shipping and the oil-loading navy fleet is increased recently as well, which brings additional
sources of the oil contamination in the Pechora Sea [12]. During the oil transportation, the oil spilling do take place occasionally, including the wrecking (by its extraction), which often becomes a disaster. Additional sources of the oil products into the Barents Sea is presented by the Gulf Stream currents system, which brings its waters to the Barents basin. The Gulf Stream is a current which brings 1-1.5 mil tons of phenols and oil products within the World Ocean. The Gulf Stream currents system contains phenols and oil products have different places of discharge, namely, at the coasts of the North America and Europe, among which the Sargasso Sea, the Norway Sea and the Barents seas.

### Distribution of the phenol contaminants within the Pechora Sea
Unequal geographical distribution of the phenol contaminants within the space of the ecosystem is specified and conditional by the different geographic location of the sources of the contaminants, by their chemical characteristics, by their chemical composition, by the particularities of the circulation of the seawater; its vertical structure and currents.

Maximal concentration of the contaminants in the Pechora Sea is detected in the coastal shelf waters, relatively calm and without intensive mixing, but the damping may occur and where they are being accumulated lessly. Some concentrations are occasionally take place (but definitely less) in the vast open regions of the sea, where they are defi ned out from the rest parts of the Gulf Stream and from the North-Atlantic currents systems, being generally transferred from the Barents Sea [7]. High concentrations of the oil are found in the shelf waters of the separated seas, and also in the waters coming from Atlantic Ocean, carrying contaminations from the western Europe and the north-west part of Africa [3].

Near the oil drilling stations and along the main ship transport routes the content of phenols and other oil products is higher than those in the open parts of the sea. In the estuaries where the geological situation is worse, the concentration of oil in the bottom sediments reaches ~150 mg/kg, coming down to the 0.1-1 mg/kg [2] in the sediments of the open deep sea regions. Distribution of the oil hydrocarbons in the shallow waters (e.g. forms of 0.05-0.15 mg/l) with maximal concentration is rather homogeneous (0.05-0.15 mg/l) in the south-eastern part of the sea [9]. Vertical distribution of the hydrocarbons within the water: the maximal concentration of the oil hydrocarbons in the Pechora sea are located in the shelf waters, zone of interaction 'hydrosphere-atmosphere' [5]. At the same time, this layer of the

water is very important for the biological activities of the aquatic ecosystem and for the functionality of the marine environment: the process of photosynthesis takes place constantly here [1]. Hence, it becomes clear that the contamination of the most important layer of waters may have extreme consequences for the life existing in the ecosystem of this small sea.

### Data processing, methods and results
The distribution of oil and gas deposits in the Pechora Sea and the contents of the chlorophyll in the shallow waters of the Pechora Sea were visualized on the basis of digitizing the relief of Pechora basin using Autorecord software, the shp-file was added to the map as a base layer for the thematic layers [13]. Using maps created by other authors and additional thematic information from the cited literature (containing geological and geomorphological characteristics, features of coastal and land relief, morfostatures of the Pechora submarine sea floor relief etc) the thematic maps were designed with the framework of this research [10]. Data containing various characteristics of objects were added to the current mapping project. References Maps: [1-27].

For mapping of oil and gas deposits within the Pechora basin its geographical natural specifics were studied, especially its geological, geomorphological conditions and tectonics that have impact on the environmental situation as such and distribution of its carbon deposits within the marine basin. For understanding the sustainability of the aquatic systems to resist the anthropogenic impacts, its climatic and meteorological conditions (current directions) were studied as well. Using information and data from existing thematic maps and tables (References, Literature and Maps [1-27]) both geological and geographical data of Pechora Sea were compared: first, its geographic aspects (geological, geomorphological and climatic factors) and second, the distribution of the main oil and gas fields within the Pechora basin, making a negative impact to the marine environment of unique Pechora ecosystem. Thematic information layers were stored in the different topological layers (shp - files of ArcView system) and some mapping routines were executed for creating the final maps: data editing, overlay of different thematic layers thus making the synthesis of different information, creating of the legend, visualization of the layout. Maps visualize distribution of the main oil and gas deposits and the contents of the chlorophyll in the shallow waters of the Pechora Sea. Both maps show the element of the environment in the basin of the Pechora, demonstrating negative impact and effects of the oil and gas drilling activities under the condi-
tions of Arctic vulnerable tundra ecosystems. Two main zones of phenological concentrations are detected in the bottom sediments of the Pechora Sea in the central part and in its eastern part (most polluted area), containing Priraznokoe oil-field. In the western part the source of water contamination is not only caused by the geological activities, but also by the inco- me of waters from the Barents and the Norway Sea, polluted by phenol and oil. In the south-western part of the Pechora Sea the inflow of the taminated waters from the narrow entrance of the White and Barents seas can be considered as additional source for the phenol pollution of the Pechora Sea waters. Besides, zone of the high level of contaminant exists in the Kolba bay in the Barents sea and in the neighboring area. In the eastern part of the Pechora Sea recent geological activities concerning the developing of the Priraznokoe oil-field and other smaller oil deposits could give rise to the ecological crisis in the aquatic ecosystems of the Pechora Sea.

**Conclusions.** As demonstrated in this paper, disastrous impacts on the environment is caused by the oil and gas drilling activities in one of the most environmentally precious regions of our world - Arctic. So, what we do we with it, how can we handle such a problem? Alternative source of energy, such as geothermal energy, or wind energy can be a perfect replacement for the traditional sources. Moreover, geothermal energy can be effectively used as a supplement for the integrity of the power grid, in enhancing the efficiency of the entire system while providing clean, reliable power for the humanity. Geothermal energy is also capable of achieving high capacity factors in results without damaging the ecosystems and the world. Current paper contributed to the popularization of the effective replacement of traditional (oil and gas) energy source by new-generation "green" energy, such as geothermal or wind.

**Acknowledgments.** Current research has been generously supported by the DAAD-Program (Referat 325-syp, Kennziffer A), at Altfuer-Genfer-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung Fachbereich: Geoscientific Research Arbeitsbereiche Bathymetry and Geodäsie, Bremerhaven, Germany.

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