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<br /> <br /> <br />~~ <br />ti , ~ _ _ _ <br />_. .. -.-.. ....,-~ <br />. .. M. ~~ <br />I <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Thrs cbse•up photo shows the dramatic difference of methane-contaminated sods vs native vegetation <br />Gaa analysts <br />Samples of coal bed methane well gas, mine gas, and soil mondonng gas were taken and tested for isotope <br />charactenstics These tests were inconclusive and provided no clear ind~cahon of the source of the gas m the <br />sod profile <br />Hypothesis <br />A number of assumptrons must t>E+ true m order for methane gas to contaminate surtace soils <br />is there a source or reservoir for the methane In the immediate areal The answer ~s yes Presence of methane <br />in the subsurface has long been identified and researched in numerous papers and reports The presence of <br />methane in the subsurface in the area of interest has been proven through both mining and dnllmg. Gas hds in <br />shallower honzons have been confirmed through dulling activities and contamination around well LA 218 also <br />confirms the presence of gas in the rocks above the Maxwell coal seam Methane ~s commerc~any produced in <br />the immediate wcindy Large volumes of water exert the pressure necessary to keep the methane confined in <br />the micropores of the coal This water must be removed before the methane is free to flow Both dnllmg <br />activdies and mining can remove water pressure allowing methane to move <br />Is there a pathway of migratbn for subsurface methane to reach the surface in the areas Again. the answer ~s <br />yes Drill holes confirm iractunng in the subsurface at a depth of 400-500 feet. Faulting may reach the surtace <br />but is not ws~ble due to geology of the region (poor bed correlation). Improperly completed gas wells, completed <br />water wells. and coal exploration boreholes in the area have been positively confirmed as conduits for methane <br />to reach the surface One of the improperly completed gas wells (now abandoned) is located in the south 'h of <br />sectron 28. <br />Are there other potential explanations for methane in the soits'7 The answer ~s no. Landfills can produce <br />methane due to the decomposdion of organic matter No known landfills exist in the immediate are of <br />contamination. Gas pipelines do cross the affected area Verbal communication dunng the mvestgation <br />indicated the lines were checked for leaks and no leaks were found Since these fines are commercial and <br />currently in use, leak testing and awareness should have identified any past leaks and correct any current leaks <br />d discovered Even d a pipebne leak was suspected, the elevatx>n of much of the vegetaton die-out could not <br />be explained by a gas teak in a pipeline at a higher topographic elevation <br />6 <br />