Oil and gas wastewater spills alter microbes in West Virginia waters

Wastewater from oil and gas operations — including fracking for shale gas — at a West Virginia site altered microbes downstream, according to a new study. The study showed that wastewater releases, including briny water that contained petroleum and other pollutants, altered the diversity, numbers and functions of microbes. The shifts in the microbial community indicated changes in their respiration and nutrient cycling, along with signs of stress.

(via WSJ)