Environmental Impact of Hydraulic Fracturing (HF) using Spatial Analysis, Bradford County, Pennsylvania

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing (HF) posed an environmental risk to surface water and groundwater quality. Population relies on the quality of water for basic needs. The objective of the study is to use cluster spatial and slope analysis to determine the HF impact in Bradford County, Pennsylvania environments. Spatial cluster produces an array of fundamental public health questions relating to the impact of HF on the environment. The slope analyzes the elevation of HF to surface water and groundwater. Base on the elevation of HF activities, the surface water, and groundwater is polluted from spill, leakage, and intrusion of fracking fluid. The geospatial information data for the study were collected from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), PA Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), and the National Bureau of Census. The methods used to analyze the data to determine the spatial cluster in the environment are spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s Index), Hotspot analysis (G statistic), Cluster and Outlier analysis (Anselin’s Local Moran’s Index) and the Empirical Bayesian Kriging. The results were interpreted from high or low G statistic, Moran’s Index value, Z-score, and p-value. Pennsylvania Moran’s Index 0.29, and Z-score, p-value (37.9, 0.0001) indicate a tendency toward clustering a statistically significant. A positive G statistic & large Z-score indicate a more intense clustering of areas of high values – hotspot and a significantly smaller negative G statistic & Z-score indicates more extreme low values – cold spot. Therefore, Albany, Wilmot, Overton, Terry, and Monroe municipalities have high positive G-statistic and statistically significant (p < 0.05) Z-values indicating hot spot of hydraulic fracturing operation in the county.