Geochemical characterization of inorganic constituents in coalbed methane flowback water and economic evaluation of trace metal recovery.

Authors

Yihua Wu, Chunyan Yang, Chaoyang Li, Yanzhang Li, Hongyi Chen, Chengyue Li, Jiayuan He, Baicang Liu

Published in

Water research. Volume 306. Pages 126569. Jul 25, 2026. Epub Jul 25, 2026.

Abstract

Coalbed methane flowback and produced water (CBM FPW) is characterized by complex composition, high salinity, and precious metals with notable recovery value, while the accompanying heavy metals posing potential environmental hazard. To date, most studies have focused on the analysis of individual components in CBM FPW rather than comprehensive characterization of its water quality, resulting in a limited holistic understanding of CBM FPW composition. An analytical framework encompassing "water quality characterization-resource evaluation-control mechanisms" was established, and the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of inorganic constituents in FPW from the Ordos Basin were systematically analyzed. The water quality analysis results indicated that the FPW exhibited an overall weak acidity (pH 6.30) and an ionic composition dominated by Ca²⁺, primarily caused by the combined effects of organic matter-driven organic acid generation and fracture-controlled water-rock interactions, which is significantly distinct from typical Na⁺-type CBM wastewater. Furthermore, the results of trace elements evolution revealed that the majority of elements exhibited a "high-concentration plateau stage" during the flowback process. Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺, and certain precious metal elements (e.g., Ga, Pd, Rh, Sc, Au) were found to possess considerable recovery value, with economic feasibility exceeding 0.1 dollars/m³. In addition, heavy metals such as Ba, Fe, and Mn exhibited relatively high concentrations (>10 mg/L), posing potential environmental risks if inadequately managed. By employing this integrated analytical framework, a complete characterization of CBM FPW water quality was achieved, providing systematic and valuable references for the subsequent resource recovery of precious metals and heavy metal pollution control.

PMID:
42537277
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 01 Aug 2026.

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