Hydraulic Fracturing and how it affects the environment By Renata Calderale

What is hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking)? 

Fracking is a process in which lower cost energy is obtained through the release of natural gas from the soil. The chosen ground is drilled horizontally and using a high pressure mixture that consists of water, sand and a variety of chemicals, it is injected into the ground to stimulate the release of natural gas from the soil.

• Fracking fluid injected into earth components
• 8 million liters of water = consumption of 65,000 people daily
• Sand
• 200,000 liters of chemicals

The mixture allows the production of tiny cracks in the soil that allow for the release of natural gas. Different chemicals have distinct purposes in the mixture such as compressing the water, killing off bacteria or dissolving minerals. 

https://igs.indiana.edu/images/oilgas/HydraulicFracturing_Figure1.png 

What are the risks of fracking?

Once the natural gas runs out the plant is removed and the hole is sealed. Fracking fluid is pumped into underground layers and secured in there.

The lengths of the effects of this process are still unknown due to the fact that this method of natural gas extraction is a technique that has been only used for less than 10 years.

Some effects that have been found linked to fracking include:

• Consumption of fresh water resources nearby (this allows for lower cost) and the contamination of drinking water sources through the release of toxins from the mixture
• Chemicals used can be hazardous and carcinogenic, they can cause cancer
• Release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere such as methane which is a byproduct of the extraction
• Effects on climates balance
• The use water resources around them to lower the cost, this creates a huge negative impact on local waterways and disrupts species habitats  
• A large area is needed for the process so trees are cut down and animals lose their habitats

All this being said, it is clear that there is a lack of concern for the environment during this process. This is also seen in improper manner which waste such as toxic fluids are disposed off.

What can and should be done?

Being aware of the negative effects of fracking is the first step towards improving and providing a safe and sustainable method. Awareness grabs the attention of many important people and organizations; the objective is to stimulate the government. The creation of laws can help this process be more sustainable such as laws protecting the environment against the contamination of water sources used for drinking, cutting of trees, and the wrong disposal of waste. Laws such as these can allow the process to continue without its negative effects. Another option could be to ban fracking, but taking into consideration the need for the world to find different ways to create energy this final option is highly unlikely to occur. Hydraulic fracturing is an extensive process that negatively impacts not just the environment around us by destroying animal habitats but also puts in danger the lives of citizens who receive their water from resources close to fracking plants, it is important to take action in order to have a safe and healthy environment.

For more information of Hydraulic Fracturing or Fracking you can refer to the video below:

Sources

Fracking Explained: Opportunity or Danger. Screenplay by Kurzgesagt. Perf. Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. Youtube. Kurzgesagt, 3 Sept. 2013. Web. 31 May 2017. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uti2niW2BRA>.  

"Fracking's Environmental Impacts: Water." Greenpeace USA. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2017. <http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/global-warming/issues/fracking/environmental-impacts-water/>.

"What Is Fracking and Why Is It Controversial?" BBC News. BBC, 18 Dec. 2015. Web. 31 May 2017. <http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-14432401>.

"Stop Fracking Our Future." Environment America. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2017. <http://www.environmentamerica.org/programs/ame/stop-fracking-our-future>.