Water Quality Impacts of the Energy-Water Nexus

Energy and water have been fundamental to powering the global economy and building modern society. This cross-disciplinary book provides an integrated assessment of the different scientific and policy tools around the energy-water nexus. It focuses on ways in which wastewater and waste solids produced from fossil fuel production and utilization for power generation affect water quality and quantity. Summarizing cutting edge research in the context of current policy and regulations, it describes the geochemical techniques for detecting contamination sources. The authors highlight the growing evidence that fossil fuel production, particularly from unconventional sources leads to water quality degradation, while regulations for the water and energy sector remain fractured and highly variable across and within countries. This volume will be a key reference for scholars, industry professionals, environmental consultants and policy makers seeking information on the risks associated with the energy cycle and its impact on the environment, particularly water resources.