C.L.E.A.R.

The Collaborative Laboratories for Environmental Analysis and Remediation (CLEAR) is a consortium of academic and industrial partners dedicated to understanding the relationship between environmental quality and industrial processes, including the advancement of solutions for remediation needs. Current efforts include an objective assessment of the potential impact of unconventional oil and gas extraction on environmental parameters, including water, air, and soil. To aid in this goal, advanced analytical methods using state-of-the-art instrumentation and resources at The University of Texas at Arlington are applied. The methods allow both the determination of chemical components in environmental samples and the development and advancement of remediation techniques. Comprehensive data analysis is key to validation and reporting of laboratory efforts. CLEAR is a collection science and engineering expertise. We continue to seek additional affiliates, and the collection and distribution of support to carry out our purpose.

Unconventional oil and gas extraction, a current primary focus of CLEAR, includes the processes of: horizontal drilling; hydraulic fracturing (commonly, but not properly, referred to as fracking or fracing); underground injection wells and disposal ponds for waste disposal; and shale acidization. All of these processes are of interest to CLEAR because of their involvement of hazardous chemicals. The teams of scientists at CLEAR are currently testing surface water, groundwater, air, and soil samples in area where unconventional oil and gas extraction is currently in use. No others groups are working in this space in a similarly comprehensive manner.

CLEAR is currently seeking donations to fund future testing and projects to expand the current understanding of how hydraulic fracturing and other industrial processes can potentially affect our natural environment and human health. CLEAR is currently seeking additional affiliates to add expertise to its efforts. Collectively, support is used to further a variety of established and expanding environmental analysis and remediation efforts

All scientists at CLEAR take a non-biased approach to data collection and interpretation to provide industry entities, municipalities, conservation groups and the general public with reliable data so that they can make more informed decisions.