Fracking Analysis: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Financial Influence
In the realm of energy production, fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, has become a contentious topic. This process, designed to extract oil and gas from shale formations, offers significant benefits in terms of supply, yet it comes with a host of environmental and public health concerns.
One of the most pressing issues is the impact on our environment, particularly in relation to soil, water, and air quality. Fracking operations often disturb large land areas, including sensitive soils, wetlands, and riparian zones, leading to ecosystem damage and loss of soil integrity [2][4]. Spills and runoff of fracking fluids or wastewater can contaminate soils with toxic chemicals and heavy metals [2]. This disruption also threatens local plant life and habitats critical to biodiversity [2][4].
Water, a vital resource, is heavily utilized in fracking. Millions of gallons of water, mixed with toxic chemicals, are used to fracture rock formations deep underground. This process poses a risk of contaminating both groundwater and surface water with hazardous chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, petroleum distillates, methanol, and persistent “forever chemicals” like PFAS [1][2][3]. Numerous cases of drinking water contamination near fracking sites have been documented in multiple states, including Pennsylvania and Colorado [3]. Additionally, the disposal of fracking wastewater into underground wells has been linked to groundwater pollution and elevated seismic activity [1][5].
Air quality is another concern. Fracking releases substantial amounts of greenhouse gases, notably methane, which has a higher global warming potential than coal on a per-unit basis, exacerbating climate change [1]. Airborne exposure to fracking chemicals can cause respiratory irritation, dizziness, nausea, and is associated with carcinogenic risks [1]. The process also emits volatile organic compounds and other pollutants, contributing to local air quality degradation and public health concerns [1][3].
Furthermore, fracking-related activities can increase seismic risks due to the injection of wastewater into deep wells, which may lubricate faults and cause earthquakes [1][5].
Economically, fracking has its advantages and drawbacks. On one hand, it has significantly increased American domestic oil and gas production, contributing to the U.S. becoming a net exporter of fossil fuels [6][7]. On the other hand, fracking is expensive and becomes less viable when oil prices drop [8]. Moreover, the process consumes billions of gallons of water each year, which might otherwise be available for human consumption [9].
In conclusion, while fracking offers benefits in terms of energy supply and economic growth, it also poses significant environmental and public health risks. It negatively impacts soil integrity and ecosystems, contaminates water sources with toxic and persistent chemicals, and degrades air quality through greenhouse gas emissions and toxic airborne chemicals [1][2][3][5]. As we continue to explore and utilise this technology, it is crucial to find ways to mitigate these environmental and health concerns and ensure a sustainable energy future.
References:
- Howarth, R., Ingraffea, A., and Engelder, T. (2011). Methane and the greenhouse gas footprint of natural gas from shale formations. Climatic Change, 106(4), 679-690.
- Environmental Defense Fund. (2014). Protecting water from fracking. Retrieved from https://www.edf.org/fracking/protecting-water
- Villeneuve, P. J., Sargis, M. J., Oswald, B., & Nguyen, T. (2014). Air pollution from hydraulic fracturing in the United States: A review. Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(12), 1207-1213.
- Union of Concerned Scientists. (2014). Fracking and the environment: Impacts from exploration to production. Retrieved from https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/fracking-and-environment
- Seismicity risks associated with wastewater injection into deep wells. (2016). Science, 351(6277), 1240-1243.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2019). U.S. crude oil and natural gas proved reserves. Retrieved from https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.php?page=us_proved_reserves
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2019). U.S. crude oil production. Retrieved from https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.php?page=us_crude_oil
- The economic viability of shale gas development in a low-oil-price environment. (2015). Energy Policy, 87, 134-144.
- Water use in the United States: Use in thermoelectric power, irrigation, public supply, self-supplied industrial, and aquifer recharge. (2015). United States Geological Survey. Retrieved from https://water.usgs.gov/wrb/nawqa/watuse/index.html
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