More on Fracking

After reading the Scientific American article on Fracking, it got me more interested in the reasons why fracking is harmful to people and the environment. It is a widely accepted conception that obtaining natural gas from shale is a cleaner alternative when compared to oil and coal. However, after doing some research, it is apparent that many refute this assertion.

            One of the large risks with fracking is the increased technology needed to extract gas from shale. On average 20 million liters of water are forced into each well coupled with large quantities of sand to keep the fissures from closing. After the fissures are opened acids, bioacids, scale inhibitors, friction reducers, and surfactants are forced down the wells. This is extrememly dangerous because many of these additives are toxix, carcinogenic, and mutagenic. Also, around one-fifth of the fracking fluid flows back up the well to the surfuce in the first two weeks increasing over the wells exsistence. Natural salts, heavy metals, and radioactive materials are also extracted from the shale and rise to the surface where it is collected in open pits or large tanks until disposed of.

All these chemicals extracted from the shale are detrimental to the health and eco-systems of humans. It is crucial we find ways for these harmful agents not return to the surface.  By upgrading old piplines and storage systems and applying better technology for capturing the gas in the 2 week period after fracking we can prevent these chemicals from returning to the surface.