Natural Gas Hydraulic Fracturing also known, as hydro-fracking is a technique in which a pressurized liquid fractures rocks. The process involves injecting high pressured ‘fracking fluid’ (mainly water) into a borehole to create cracks in in the deep-rock formations therefore freeing more easily natural gas, petroleum and brine. This technique however is highly controversial in many countries because while it provides economic benefits and easier access to hydrocarbons, the environmental impacts it causes outweigh everything else. Such impacts include risks of ground and surface water contamination, air and noise pollution, and potentially trigger earthquakes along with consequential hazards to public health and the environment.
In early 1987, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that hydraulic fracturing can contaminate and has contaminated groundwater. According to EPA former employees, evidence of the negative impact of fracking was systematically removed from congressional reports to support the energy industry. Therefore the growth of hydraulic fracturing in the United States and the continued exposure to the many chemicals involved in energy development is expected to increase over the next few years, and with uncertain consequences.
Potential sources of for ground and surface water exposure to toxins and toxicants include: 1) the drilling and fracturing phase; 2) improper treatment of wastewater, including spills during transport; and 3) failure of cement wall casings. Some of the toxins released from this process have cause poor health outcomes such as cancer, blood disorders, nervous system impairment, and respiratory issues. Miscarriages and stillbirths have also been associated with these toxins.
There have been several reported cases from families affected by hydro-fracking. For example: In 2008, Charlene Parish of Bee Branch from Arkansas reported contamination of drinking water during hydraulic fracturing of a nearby natural gas well owned by Southwestern Energy Company. Her water smelled bad, turned yellow, and filled with silt.
Also in 2001, two families in Colorado reported a water well blow-out and contamination of their drinking water during hydraulic fracturing of four nearby natural gas wells owned by Ballard Petroleum, now called Encana Corporation. Their drinking water turned gray, had strong smells, bubbled, and lost pressure. One family reported health symptoms they believe are linked to the groundwater contamination.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_hydraulic_fracturing_in_the_United_States
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/amall/incidents_where_hydraulic_frac.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing
This was my first time learning about what hydraulic fracturing was and overall I thought your article highlighted some great facts about what exactly hydraulic fracturing does.