Environmental Geochemistry Issues Semi-Monthly

Chemical Tanks ordered removed in West Virginia after Spill   ( Reuters; January 25, 2014) http:// mobile.reuters.com /article/idUSBREA0M03R20140126? irpc =932           In the aftermath of the chemical spill of 4-Methyl Cyclohexane Methanol (MCHM) into the Elk River in West Virginia on January 9, 2014;  there are still some who might be unaware of the function of this particular chemical.      According to published documentation under US Patent 4915825 A, 4-Methyl Cyclohexane Methanol was originally invented to increase Coal mineral recovery via the flotation process: "Flotation is a process for separating finely ground minerals such as coal particles from their associate waste or gangue by means of the affinity of surfaces of these particles for air bubbles, which is a method for concentrating coal particles." The filed US Patent Document is found here: Process for Coal Flotation using 4-Methyl C...

Report on Rail Risks Stirs Up Keystone XL Debate (Michael DALY, Associated Press/ USA Today; January 24, 2014) http:// www.usatoday.com /story/money/business/2014/01/24/railroad-oil-transport-risks-keystone- xl /4817091/ Keystone XL Pipeline Fight Lifts Environmental Movement (Sarah WHEATON, New York Times; January 24, 2014) http:// mobile.nytimes.com /2014/01/25/us/keystone- xl -pipeline-fight-lifts-environmental- movement.html ?referrer= Train Hauling Crude Oil Derails on Philadelphia Bridge   (Dave WARNER, Reuters; January 20, 2014) http:// mobile.reuters.com /article/idUSL2N0KU0WW20140120? irpc =932 Canadian Oil Train Derails, Burns after Brakes Activated   (Solarina HO, Reuters; January 9, 2014) http:// in.mobile.reuters.com /article/idINL2N0KI15C20140108? irpc =932

Toxic Mercur y Seeps into Arctic Waters  (Marisa CORLEY, The Guardian ; January 16, 2014) http:// guardianlv.com /2014/01/toxic-mercury-seeps-into-arctic- waters/ Inside California's $25 Billion Plot to Save its Water Supply (Lessley ANDERSON, The Verge ; January 15, 2014) http:// mobile.theverge.com /2014/1/15/5309350/ california -25-billion-plan-to-save-delta N. B. :  Includes embedded video of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP). California Governor Declares Drought Emergency (Sarah MCBRIDE, Reuters ; January 18, 2014) http:// in.mobile.reuters.com /article/idINL2N0KR16L20140117? irpc =932

Jerry Brown Prepares to Declare Drought Eme rgency   (John ELLIS, Fresno Bee; January 13, 2014) http:// www.fresnobee.com /2014/01/13/3711994/valley-leaders-urge-gov- jerry.html Document: California Assemblyman Frank BIGELOW's Official Request Letter to Governor Jerry BROWN  (January 13, 2014) http:// arc.asm.ca.gov /member/AD5/ pdf /1129- LetteronDrought1.13.14 . pdf Website: Disaster and Drought Assistance   (USDA) http:// www.usda.gov / wps /portal/ usda / usdamobile ? navid = DISASTER_ASSISTANCE

Some States Confirm Water Pollution from Drilling   ( NPR/Associated Press ; January 5, 2014) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=259915428 Report: Unconventional Oil and Gas Development:  Key Environmental and Public Health Requirements   (United States Government Accountability Office, GAO-12-874; September 2012) http://www.gao.gov/assets/650/647782.pdf

North Dakota is not the only place explosions involving transported Bakken Crude Oil has recently occurred, as presented below: North Dakota : U. S. Agency Warns of Extra Flammable Bakken Crude Oil ( Reuters/The Globe and Mail ; January 2, 2014) http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/us-agency-warns-of-extra-flammable-bakken-crude-oil/article16172395/ N. B. :  With embedded videos! Alabama :   Train Carrying Crude Oil Derails, Cars Ablaze in Alabama (Edward MCALLISTER, Reuters; November 8, 2013) http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/08/us-crude-train-explosion-idUSBRE9A70Q920131108 CANADA: Lac-Mégantic shocked world Train crash voted Canada's story of the year (Andy BLATCHFORD, The Calgary Herald ; December 26, 2013) http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/LacM%C3%A9gantic+shocked+world+Train+crash+voted+Canadas+story+year/9324618/story.html   Canada Train Explosion with Crude Oil Devastates...