"A new study has revealed significant contamination of soil and water in North Dakota from radioactive materials, heavy metals and corrosive salts as a result of oil and gas wastewater spills.

The Duke University research, published in Environmental Science and Technology, highlights the possible health implications for humans and wildlife from the 3,900 reported brine spills in the region since the rise of fracking in 2007.

Researchers found high levels of ammonium, selenium, lead and other toxic contaminants – the levels of selenium – a radioactive element – were 35 times higher than the federal threshold set “for freshwater aquatic life”.

Particularly high levels of radium contamination were recorded in the ground downstream from where the spills started, which researchers say indicates radioactive materials from the spills were soaking into the ground.

“Overall, our data show that the Bakken brines are enriched in numerous toxic elements and their release to the environment could directly affect the quality of the impacted water,” the study warns."

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