Muddy Waters

UT Arlington scientists discover dirty water near natural gas drilling sites

Scientists at the University of Texas at Arlington, led by associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry Kevin Schug, recently published a new study of water wells near the Barnett Shale that finds elevated levels of pollution around natural gas extraction sites.

The paper, published in the Environmental Science and Technology journal on July 25, examined 100 water wells in or near the Barnett Shale and focused on the presence of metals such as barium, arsenic, selenium and strontium.

Although these heavy metals are known to appear naturally in low levels in groundwater, the study found that there were higher levels, including some above recommended concentrations, closer to extraction sites. However, the study does not draw any connections between drilling and side effects such as accidents or water removal and higher levels of chemicals.

During the summer and fall of 2011, researchers collected water samples from wells near the Barnett Shale, including 91 from "active" areas within five kilometers of a gas well. The remaining nine came from outside the Shale or at least 14 kilometers from a site.

These results were compared against historical date from 1989-1999 from the Texas Water Development Board groundwater database.

The highest levels of contaminants were found within three kilometers of natural gas wells, including 29 wells with levels of arsenic higher than considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Samples from areas outside the Barnett Shale or active drilling sites showed lower levels for most metals, according to the report. However, the report notes that the levels within the active areas did not show uniformity in contamination, and some were not associated with higher levels of the metal at all.

In a statement, lead author Brian Fontenot said the results were strong enough to warrant further research.

“We expect this to be the first of multiple projects that will ultimately help the scientific community, the natural gas industry and, most important, the public, understand the effects of natural gas drilling on water quality,” he said.

UT Arlington's Brian Fontenot and Kevin Schug led the study of water wells around the Barnett Shale.

Brian Fontenot and Dr. Schug of UT Arlington

Photo courtesy of UT Arlington

UT Arlington's Brian Fontenot and Kevin Schug led the study of water wells around the Barnett Shale.

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Money News

E.Sun Bank from Taiwan opens first location in buzzy Dallas market

Courtesy

E. SUN Bank

There's a new bank in town: E.Sun Bank, a financial institution from Taiwan, has opened a representative office in Dallas, at 2323 Ross Ave #730 — becoming the first Taiwanese bank in the city.

Founded in 1992, E.Sun Bank is one of Taiwan’s leading financial institutions, known for its customer-centric approach, digital innovation, and commitment to sustainability, with a growing international footprint in 35 locations across 11 countries.

The Dallas office is the second E.Sun location in the U.S. following Los Angeles, expanding its footprint to serve Taiwanese, Asian, and U.S. enterprises.

It marks Phase 1 of E.Sun’s Dallas expansion, with plans to offer full banking services — including corporate and commercial lending, trade finance, real estate project loans, and cross-border advisory support — after they receive regulatory approval to operate as a U.S. branch. In the interim, clients will be referred to E.Sun’s Los Angeles branch, ensuring seamless service continuity and responsive support for businesses navigating international growth.

A press release notes that Dallas is riding "unprecedented momentum," leading the nation in corporate headquarters relocations and business expansions in recent years. (The release even credits CultureMap Dallas for this declaration, making this absolutely one of the best press releases ever sent out in the history of PR.)

Fueled by a pro-business climate, a surge in tech sector investment, and the launch of the Texas Stock Exchange, the region has become a magnet for international capital — including major commitments from Taiwanese companies such as GlobalWafers, Foxconn, Wistron, and Inventec.

To celebrate the opening of its Dallas office, E.Sun hosted a gala event on October 30 which was attended by Chairman Huang, Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Moreno, Director General Yvonne Hsiao of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, members of the Greater Dallas Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from both U.S. and Taiwanese enterprises. The evening culminated in a cultural performance by the E.Sun choir, symbolizing the bank’s commitment to bridging cultures as well as economies.

The Dallas office complements the recently launched Taiwan Trade and Investment Center and reflects the deepening partnership between Taiwan and Texas, a relationship further reinforced by record-setting bilateral trade — totalling $25.6 billion in 2024 — and the launch of a direct Taipei-Dallas flight, which underscore the growing ties between the two economies. And let's not forget Taiwan concepts like Chicha San Chen, the Taiwanese tea chain that recently opened a location in Carrollton, where it's drawing lines around the block.

“Our new Dallas office is more than geographic expansion—it’s a commitment to powering the economic synergy between Taiwan and Texas,” says E.SUN Financial Holding Company chairman Joseph Huang. “As the region attracts global capital and innovative industries, we are proud to serve as both catalyst and cornerstone for the next era of U.S.-Asia partnership, supporting Taiwanese enterprises and facilitating mutually beneficial investments.”

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