![]() This wastewater is stored on the fracking site in pits, injected into deep underground wells or disposed of off-site at a wastewater treatment facility. The flowback liquid contains water and a number of contaminants, including radioactive material, heavy metals, hydrocarbons and other toxins. Once the underground rock is shattered and proppants are pumped into place, trapped reservoirs of gas and oil are released and pumped back to the surface, along with millions of gallons of "flowback" liquid, according to the EPA. These proppants are added to prop open the fractures that form under pressure, thereby ensuring that gas and oil can continue to flow freely out of rock fractures even after pumping pressure is released, according to the EPA. In addition to the water and chemical additives, "proppants" such as sand and ceramic particles are also pumped into the fracking well. These chemical additives usually make up 0.5 to 2 percent of the slickwater, with the remaining 98 to 99.5 percent consisting of plain water, according to a report called "Modern Shale Gas Development in the United States" by the U.S. Additives can include detergents, salts, acids, alcohols, lubricants and disinfectants. It is mostly water, though it also can contain a wide range of additives and chemicals that serve an engineering purpose. The fluid that is pumped into the well to fracture the rock is called slickwater. The pressure is powerful enough to fracture the surrounding rock, creating fissures and cracks through which oil and gas can flow. “States are stepping up and doing a good job,” says federal EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.After the fracking well is fully drilled and encased, fracking fluid is pumped down into the well at extremely high pressure, in some cases exceeding 9,000 pounds per square inch (62,050 kilopascals), according to a primer from Cornell University's environmental quality engineering course. Fracking is better regulated by the state because the state understands its environment and how fracking should regulated. States insist that fracking and wastewater disposal is done properly with the highest level of efficiency and safety. States are not regulating fracking efficiently That’s really not something that we should be concerned about.” Geological Survey told NPR, “Fracking itself probably does not put enough energy into the ground to trigger an earthquake. ![]() Fracking in this respect is separate from wastewater disposal. Solid rock separates the oil and gas deposits from shallow ground water.įederal officials say the act of fracking does not cause earthquakes. The combinations of fracking and horizontal drilling lets drillers extract oil and gas from areas that, in the past, were impossible to reach.ĭrinking water is located just a few feet underground, while fracking takes place more than 7,000 feet underground. ![]() has used hydraulic fracturing as a method to release gas. Fracking causes drinking water contamination Advances in technology have made fracking more efficient and accessible as ever. Hydraulic fracturing methods have been used for decades. Here are 5 fracking facts to prove the debate is over.įracking is short for hydraulic fracturing, a method of drilling used to releases natural gas from shale rock formations deep beneath the ground. However, these arguments are nothing but myths. Many people believe the states are doing a poor job of regulating the fracking process. Those who think the debate is just getting started believe fracking causes earthquakes and contaminates drinking water. Some say the fracking debate is over, while others think the debate is just getting started. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |