A scientific paper co-authored by a Baylor University graduate student and presented at a national conference has received special honors.

Joshua W. Brownlow, a doctoral student in geosciences, was one of four students who received a 2016 Farvolden Award from the National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation. The awards, which carry a $1,000 prize, were given for papers or poster presentations made at the 2016 NGWA Groundwater Summit April 24-27 in Denver, Colo., and honor the late Dr. Robert N. Farvolden, former science counsel for the National Ground Water Association. The awards are made based on the quality of the presentation, the content, including contribution to groundwater science, engineering, management or policy, and each entry’s demonstrated insight on the chosen topic.

Brownlow presented a paper titled “Influence of Hydraulic Fracturing on Leaky Abandoned Wells” at the summit. The award competition was judged by a panel of eight industry professionals.

“My paper would not have been possible without funding from Baylor University’s Gus C. Glasscock Fund for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, and the efforts and funding from two Texas groundwater conservation districts — the Wintergarden Groundwater Conservation District (WGCD) and the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District (EUWCD),” Brownlow said. “I would also thank my two coauthors, Dr. Joe C. Yelderman Jr. and Dr. Scott C. James, who are both in the Department of Geosciences at Baylor.”

“Josh has more experience than the average student, with a strong mining background,” said Yelderman, who is a professor of geosciences and director of Baylor’s Wastewater Research Program. “He has worked as an intern in both industry and government, which allows him to have an excellent perspective on topics such as fracking.”

“I have always enjoyed being a member of the National Groundwater Association and attending the technical conferences,” Brownlow said. “It is flattering to have received a Farvolden Award as a graduate student at Baylor.”

Brownlow’s paper deals with a new study that looks at how fluids related to hydraulic fracturing — or “fracking” –– can escape into aquifers via nearby leaky abandoned wells.

“This research indicates certain historical oil and gas activities may affect hydraulic fracturing and these historical data need to be studied more closely. Hopefully, this study will help water managers and industry use our resources more effectively,” said Brownlow, who was the study’s lead author.