Patent ID: 8763700

Claim:
A method to remove heavy metals from contaminated water and hydrocarbons in a fractured well stratum, said method comprising: introducing into said stratum a proppant formulation that comprises solid proppant particulates associated with a contaminant removal component in a sufficient quantity to remove at least a portion of the heavy metal contaminants or other targeted contaminants in said contaminated fluids, wherein said contaminant removal component comprises (a) a substantially insoluble coating on said proppant particulates that comprises a contaminant removal chemical moiety with a functional affinity for impurities in said stratum and comprising at least one sulfonic acid moiety, carboxylic acid moiety, phenolic moiety, aminoacid moiety, glycolamine moiety, polyamine moiety, quaternary amine moiety, or polyhydroxylic moiety, and/or (b) second particulates comprising an ion exchange resin or a molecular sieve that is bound to an outer surface of said proppant particulate with a substantially insoluble coating.