Hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking, is the process of removing oil and natural gas from in between layers of shale and other low-permeability rocks. This is done by drilling both a well and a horizontal tunnel. Sand and chemicals are shot through the tunnel with incredible pressure, which cracks the shale allowing the oil and natural gas to travel up the well (Jackson, 2014). Fracking has caused a breadth of controversy due to the economic benefits and the geological consequences. The most obvious economic benefit of fracking is that it allows the U.S. to collect natural gas and oil from our own land, meaning that we do not have to import as much from other countries (Jackson, 2014). Reducing the amount of natural gas and oil …show more content…
The most dangerous consequence of fracking is that hundreds of chemicals are blasted into the Earth’s crust, which creates cracks in the bedrock. Many times, these cracks lead to an aquifer, in which case, all of the water in the aquifer becomes contaminated with these chemicals (Jackson, 2014). Additionally, when the natural gas is being pumped out of the wells, methane is released into the atmosphere. A study conducted by NOAA found that approximately 4% of the methane is being released into the atmosphere. This same study found that methane pollution increases climate changes because it traps heat in the atmosphere 25 times more than carbon dioxide (Hoffman, 2016). Furthermore, fracking waste wells are the primary cause of the increase of earthquakes in the Central U.S. This is because these wells operate for a longer period of time, which means that they inject more “solid ‘cake’” into the Earth than the actual fracking process (USGS, n.d. and StateImpact, 2017). Finally, recent studies have found that people who live near a fracking site are at higher risk to develop respiratory problems, which is due to the increased levels of pollutants. These pollutants are not only affecting the people who live in close proximity to these sites, but to the workers, as well. The most common type of respiratory problem reported was lung …show more content…
Even though I would need to do more research to have a more coherent opinion, I believe that fracking should not be practiced in the United States. My opinion is heavily based on the fact that fracking is still such a new discovery and that safe methods have not been identified. Thus, too many people are at risk for being exposed to contaminated drinking water (Jackson, 2014). The methane contamination of the drinking water is very concerning because it is very flammable, which can be incredibly dangerous to the citizens in the affected area (Hoffman, 2016). Thirdly, the amount of pollutants that are released into the atmosphere is not safe for people to inhale. Both children and adults have been exposed to these pollutants, which have had severely negative effects. Lung disease is just one of the major negative health effects of fracking. Cancer and birth defects in infants are other incredibly disabling diseases that affect people in proximity to these wells (Kiely, 2016). Another issue that I find disturbing about the process of fracking is that the waste water wells are disposing of the chemical waste deep into the Earth’s crust. However, some of this chemical waste is disposed of in landfills, which, in turn, pollutes the groundwater (StateImpact, 2017). Overall, I find the process of fracking
Furthermore, one way to prove that fracking is bad is the condition of water near fracking sites. Fracking is notorious for the pollution of well and spring water. Chemical fluids may spill, then they run off into well water. Hydraulic fracking can be dangerous to well water if the hydraulic fluid is mismanaged, and spills. If the hydraulic fluids spill, it then pours out into the people’s well water or spring water, and then pollutes the water. Fracking can also cause a shortage of water. Shale fracking uses a lot of water, and that amount is about 11.5 million liters. The amount of water taken by fracking can leave a town with a limited supply of water. Also, fluid leak off can pour into well water, and the treatment plants can’t do anything
Do you think fracking should be used to release oils and natural gases? I personally think fracking shouldn't be used to release oil and natural gas because of all the protentional dangers it might cause. The risk of fracking is very detrimental and can cause serious climate issues. The world is already dealing with enough problems with the climate, so if fracking was to be used to release oils and natural the issues may stack up and cause issues for future societies.Firstly, what is Fracking? Hydraulic fracturing, or what is known is fracking is a cost-saving process for drilling oil. The dangers of fracking can be contamination of groundwater, methane and air pollution, toxic chemical exposure, earthquakes, and many more issues that go along
Hydraulic fracking has been known to release ‘more than 650 chemicals”( source 3), because of this people who are living ‘near these wells fear their health may be harmed” ( source 3). Even though hydraulic fracking has not caused any known health problems there is still the threat that could come soon when more and more well build up. This could also harm the wildlife and could cause their habitat to be destroyed.
Respiratory problems have been created by fracking pollution. “Impacts of can include asthma attacks, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and lung disease. Levels of pollutants high enough to cause respiratory problems, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, have been found both close to fracking sites and in regions with intense oil and gas activity.” We must guard the air we breathe because we are going to the be the ones who will get harmed by it. Exposure to pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide and VOCs can cause neurological problems with ranges from a headache and dizziness to loss of consciousness and seizures. “Multiple studies have measured benzene levels close to fracking sites that are higher than the thresholds set to protect people from these impacts.” These are the problems that a lot of people living near the fracking wells have to face. A number of PAHs and VOCs have been found to interfere with fetal and child development resulting in dangerous harm to the developing brain, nervous system, and heart. “Because even short-term exposures to these pollutants at critical moments of development can result in long-lasting harm, health experts have identified this as a threat to communities living in close proximity to fracking sites.” These impacts can change a child’s entire life with the child having many kinds
Hydraulic fracturing is a controversial practice commonly used by oil and natural gas producers. This practice, better known as “fracking”, is used to stimulate the production of oil by fracturing shale to release natural gas. The birth of modern day hydraulic fracturing began as early as the 1940s and today it is widely practiced across the United States, from New York, to Oklahoma, even all the way to California. The process of fracking is fairly simple, hydraulic fracturing (fracking) involves tapping shale and other tight-rock formations by drilling a mile or more below the surface before turning horizontal and continuing to drill several thousand feet more (Energy from
While fracking may be harmful to the environment they may also have some beneficial pros toward our economy, such as lower gas prices. However you look at it, burning natural gas is more clean and efficient than other crude energy sources, such as coal. The natural gas industry has seen tremendous growth over the years because it was cheaper and more clean than coal. Natural gas is also easier to store compared to coal because of one feature; it is a gas. Gasses can be compressed unlike solids such as coal, to put into example if you had a truck load of coal and a truck load of compressed natural gas, the natural gas would last longer because there is more of it because it was compressed. While coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in the
Illness and disease around wells is unfortunately common as a result of the following. First, chemicals used can damage organs such as, lungs, brain, and ?. Second, there are health risks from air emissions produced during fracking. Third, the number of cancer patients around fracking wells increased. To protect its citizens from these illnesses and health related issues, the government should address safety by implementing the following ideal: limiting residential areas in a certain radius of fracking wells.
One thing fracking does for people is supply them with jobs. Most of the United States is employed in the oil field. Back in 2012, the oil and gas industry supplied the United States with more than 1.2 million jobs. Without these jobs, the United states unemployment rate would be especially high.
Fracking brings jobs and money to the United States by fracking . “ The development of marcellus shale is estimated to create more than 111,000 jobs and add $10 billion as the money went to the state's economy in 2011.”( no evidence of groundwater contamination) “In 2008, only 4 percent of United States natural gas production came from "fracked" shale wells.”(Fracking and Poverty)The number of shale wells grew to 40 percent since 2012. Fracking helps the low income people so that the people can afford natural gas for the first time. Fracking helped the United states economy get money since 2011 and employs tons of people. The price of natural gas has went down 66% since 2011 so it is cheaper to buy for the first time. Fracking is making
Fracking helps the United States economy. Many new jobs are required to develop the Marcellus Shale. It was estimated in 2011 that 111,000 jobs and ten billion dollars would be added to the economy. (No Evidence of Groundwater Contamination) Even anti-fracking activists, people who think that fracking is bad for the environment, know that we need the jobs that the natural gas industry will provide. Fracking is a gas that is less expensive to drill and it will make the prices of fuel go down. The United States has tremendous reserves of this cheap alternative to gas. People with low incomes need low fuel prices to heat their homes in the winter. When the cost goes down, people can afford heat and other things they need. (Fracking and Poverty)
Fracking has equal benefits and drawbacks. Another big benefit it the amount of jobs one well would create. To frack, there would be hundreds of truckloads of equipment to be carried from one place to another. As well as the need to have an individual to watch over the fracking stations and watch for any troubling signs. These people would be important in the safety of the town and the people. Not only would there be hundreds of jobs created to build the wells, but there has to be people to maintain the wells, perform maintenance work on them. In the past years, jobs have been a hard thing to come by, unemployment rates have soared high and people would do anything to earn income. Fracking helped create many jobs, and it still is creating
Hydraulic fracking is a process in which metal pipes are first drilled vertically thousands of feet deep into the ground and then further drilled horizontally in order to maximize the drilling of several wells from one drilling pad. Meaning, there is more efficiency through horizontal drilling because shale which is the horizontal layer where natural gas is found, is found at certain rock layers rather than being abundant randomly. This would defeat the purpose of constantly drilling vertically and waste money and time, therefore, the technique of horizontal drilling is efficient to the extraction process. Furthermore, this method uses millions of gallons of water and chemicals which are injected down a pipe, thus causing the shale rock layer to break. As a result, due to a difference in pressure the natural
Fracking adds to the economies benefit while also adds to the environment's benefit as well. For instance, certain statistics show that fracking is cheaper and safer than burning coal. Along with benefiting the environment it also helps human health. This is so because 40% of the world’s energy is produced by natural gas causing citizens health to improve. Another example of it benefiting the economy along with the environment is that it is known to be cheaper to drill a well than most energy obtaining methods. Thus showing that fracking benefits this country environmentally and
Fracking or hydraulic fracturing is a mine stimulation technique that is taking the country by storm. It is a multi-billion dollar industry and in some parts of the country there are so many wells clustered together that they can be seen from space. The commodity being mined is natural gas. Natural gas has earned itself many new names depending on who is asked. According to big gas companies like Haiburton, it’s America’s solution to the energy crisis and a fuel for the 21st century. They claim this current period of economic and energy prosperity is due to increased fracking. However, this prosperity does not come without a cost. Many landowners, environmentalists, and scientists claim the process is poisoning the air, ground, water,
While it is good for the economy, fracking is dangerous and bad because it could damage the air, the water, and damage the health of citizens. Fracking is good for the economy because it can provide many jobs for people who are unemployed. Fracking can damage the air because the waste fluid that is left behind from fracking releases harmful VOC’S into the atmosphere which causes contaminated air. Fracking could damage the water because during the process of fracking methane gas and toxic and chemical leach out from the system and contaminates nearby ground water. Fracking can damage the health of citizens because it produces approximately 300,000 barrels of natural gas a day, which can cause health hazards and gets citizens really sick. To