The Pros And Cons Of Fracking

Hydraulic fracking isn 't all good though, there are many controversial things about it. First off, water contamination is a hazard. There are many ways that the water supply could be contaminated by fracking. One way is by groundwater entering through cracks that fracking has made. The water solution that 's pumped into the ground is a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals. Water and sand make up 98% of the mixture, while the remaining 2% is chemicals. Although fracking companies have never realised the chemicals used, scientists studying wastewater have found many harmful additives. A few of these are benzene, toluene, and many acids, all of which pose huge threats to humans. For each fracking well, more than 8 million liters of

Fracking is a major issue in our world right now, and yet it is still being done. Not everyone knows what fracking is, so let me explain. “Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. Water, sand, and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure which allows the gas to flow out of the head of the well” (Shukman, David (2015), “What is fracking and why is it controversial?” http://www.bbc.com). There are tons of resources being put into fracking that is actually causing problems of its own. “Each gas well requires an average of 400 tanker trucks to carry water and supplies to and from the site” (N/A (2015),”Dangers of fracking”.

Hydraulic fracturing, also known as "Fracking", is drilling into the ground for gas. This process injects over 500 chemicals into the ground which sometimes reaches peoples water supply. When the water becomes polluted it can harm not only humans, but animals. In Gasland ,Josh Fox talks to people about their problems with Fracking and goes in depth about the damage it is doing.

Fracking is a big part in today’s world and some people don’t like the idea of it, because it can be harmful to the earth. With fracking it has supplied the world with enough energy to continue for about 100 years. Natural gas has supplied the world since “the French explorers discovered it in 1626” (Brief history), 0but didn’t start fracking till the 19th century. With fracking being all around the country it offers great, good paying jobs. Natural gas from fracking is more affordable than other energy sources in abundant amounts. Chemicals used in fracking is said to contaminate earth’s water source if comes into contact and cannot be filtered clean. Natural gas has supplied energy to humanity since the 19th century, offers great since jobs

Hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking, is a drilling method used for extracting oil or natural gas from deep underground. Fracking is a problem that not many see as controversial. Each human being depends on daily energy, as long as they see the cost for use of energy is cheap they won't question the actual effects it may present to the environment. The energy sources can be mined or pumped from locations worldwide. Each technique for extraction of the resource is having serious impacts on wildlife. Even worse is that fracking can have a serious impact on our water supply. Large amounts of gas now is available due to high use amount of fracking. Though fracking is used worldwide to extract gas and oil, a fracking boom has occurred

Another reason why the United States must make fracking illegal is because it can have a negative effect on water sources. During fracking, the fluid, which consists of over 596 toxic chemicals, is pumped into the ground, soon after, once all of the gas is extracted from the operation, some of that fluid stays deep underground, and becomes increasingly toxic as it comes picks up radioactivity, or other underground contaminants (White). These fluids can sink into aquifers and turn water into a noxious mix, even the water that comes back up is almost untreatable after coming in contact with these chemicals (Griswold). Although the dangers are well known, it is no surprise that water sources have already been contaminated due to inattentiveness.

Unfortunately, the extent of the environmental risks that are associated with hydraulic fracturing are largely unknown. According to a number of studies and publications GAO reviewed, fracking may pose risks to air quality. This ‘wishy washy’ finding was because the studies that were reviewed were not taking into account the long-term, cumulative effects of this extractive process (“Oil and Gas” 2012). The increase in air pollutants, the reports found, were more likely a result of engine exhaust, emissions from diesel-powered pumps, gas that was vented or flared for operational reasons, and unintentional emissions from faulty equipment or storage areas for waste (“Oil and Gas” 2012). Not surprisingly, a number of studies and publications GAO reviewed also indicated that fracking only might put our water quality at risk. Fracking can cause the contamination of surface water and groundwater as a result of erosion, spills and releases of chemicals, or the underground migration of chemicals (“Oil and Gas” 2012). So we have oversight agencies that release reports siting cases that are understudied, yet in the meantime permits are still being

Referring to fracking already gives a large and complex theme which exceeds simple the process that it requires, although this procedure has been used in America since 1940, it is not until now, when the hydraulic fracturing process has been refined and used more than ever. In the United States fracking, or the process of extracting oil and natural gas from unconventional sites where these fuels are trapped in rocks, has a lot to do with the economic side, since it is one of the most important things that is leading to the energy independence of the country, but there are a variety of drawbacks that take away the reliability of this method. With the issue of fracking, the environmental concerns should be analyzed and put first, regardless of

Let’s go a bit more in depth with some of the cons to fracking. Groundwater contamination comes about because during the fracking process methane gas and the toxic chemicals used for the process are leached out into the groundwater (Loki (2015)). One well can produce millions of gallons of waste water (Loki (2015)). Out of this waste water only 30-50% is recovered and the rest stays in the ground and is also not biodegradable (Loki (2015)). Air pollution from fracking occurs from a naturally occurring radioactive gas known as radon (Loki (2015)). Radon comes from the decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water (Loki (2015)). During the fracking process it is released into the air through the well

Fourthly, fracking creates real environmental concerns (Lieberman, 2016). Fracking is a process that unearths large amounts of oil and natural gas. “During fracking, a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals are injected into a well at high pressures, fracturing rock far beneath the surface and releasing the gas trapped inside. The gas then flows up toward the surface and out of the head of a well.” One of the causes of concern are due to the huge amounts of water used in the process, which must usually be transported to remote locations. The chemicals used in the process create another area of concern as they could potentially contaminate underground water supplies. To make matters worse, “the fossil fuel industry has been reluctant to

Hydraulic Fracturing (also commonly known as fracking) is a process used to extract natural gasses deep within the earth. This is done by drilling vertically into the ground until the desired depth; then drilling horizontally; and pumping millions of gallons of water, sand, and other chemicals into the drill at a high pressure to create fissures through which the gas can escape. Currently, hydraulic fracturing is extensively used in the United States in order to access fossil fuel energy deposits which were previously inaccessible. Although fossil fuels can now be accessed easily through this process, there are many health and environmental risks associated with fracking that may make it less than ideal. For instance, fracking can contaminate drinking water, increase air pollution, and leave workers and near-by residents open to many health risks. Although there have been laws and regulations passed to help minimize the risks involved with fracking, an in-depth analysis of the opinions of supporters of fracking and the research behind it will show how fracking needs to be further regulated in order to be safe and effective for everyone. While we do not have to completely stop the use of fracking, improving the fracking process or reforming the current laws and regulations can allow us to receive the economic benefits of fracking, while also being environmentally and health conscious.

Each fracking job requires 1 to 8 million gallons of water to complete. When such large amounts of water are required to complete a fracking job, it places undue stress on water supplies especially in areas experiencing drought. Another concern among environmentalists is that contamination of drinking water has the potential to invade groundwater drinking wells near drilling areas, or old oil and gas wells, where the new operations could blow out their seals or create a vertical conduit to upward aquifers or the surface. With the recent rollback of regulation requiring fracking companies to disclose the chemicals they use, there is concern that some companies are possibly using hazardous chemicals. Finally, there is some trepidation that a rise in earthquakes in the United States is because of fracking.

Additionally, the United States has been fracking for decades now and frackers claim themselves that it is completely safe. (Article 2, Wheeler) It is also energy efficient because we use the natural gases from fracking to heat and light our homes. This is a great temporary step to becoming more energy profficent before we completely rely on solar panels and the wind for energy. (Article 2, Wheeler)

There are many pros and cons to hydraulic fracturing which has made it a very controversial topic in the United States Government the past few years. What is now commonly known as “fracking” is the use of chemically infused water that is pressurized and used along with drilling into the earth’s bedrock to create an earthquake that releases natural gases from pockets thousands of yards below the Earth’s surface. Fracking causes these earthquakes when releasing the gas, and is concerned to be the cause of water pollution due to the chemicals used all over the U.S. There have been many congressional hearings regarding the 34 states affected by fracking including one held on July 24th, 2013. Lessons Learned: EPA’s Investigations of Hydraulic Fracturing

The primary risk is the contamination of drinking water resources. Fracking not only consumes large quantities of fresh water but in addition the water is contaminated and highly toxic. The contamination is so severe that the water cannot even be cleaned in a treatment plant. The chemicals used in fracking vary from hazardous to extremely toxic, such as benzene or formic acid. There are about 700 different agents that are used in