Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” is a method of harnessing energy by drilling beneath the surface and releasing gas from shale rocks. Workers do this by injecting a mixture of chemicals, sand and water into the ground under high pressure, causing the rocks to explode. The shale gas then rises out of the well, similar to how an oil rig works (BBC News, “What is fracking and why is it controversial?” 1). However, fracking causes a huge problem with the environment, especially fresh water for sustaining life. The harmful effects of fracking need to be stopped, but only if we understand what damage occurs during this process so that we can come up with solutions to save drinking water.
Hydro Fracking is a process of extracting methane natural gas from deposits held in rock formations deep within the earth. This is done with the use of high pressure water mixed with chemicals; this fractures the rocks which allow the gas inside of them to be released. There are many who question if the chemicals released in Hydro Fracking to make fractures in the rocks are poisonous? There is also a concern that Fracking is using to much fresh water. Most critics wonder should Hydro Fracking be stopped until it is proved to be safe, instead of trying to prove it is safe while people are potentially being
Secondly, the area has several faults running through the area where the proposed facility was to be built. Constant shaking of the ground is going to do damage to any structure in the area. Finally, the water source underneath the facility may be needed in the future to provide water to metropolitan areas. Radioactive waste is dangerous wherever it is stored. I believe that placing these materials in an area which is unstable would just be a mistake.
Biodiversity may also be reduced if invasive species, such as the zebra mussel or golden algae, are introduced into a waterbody during the drilling process. During the drilling process, wells for drinking water may become polluted with a variety of contaminants, such as methane gas. Here I have a video showing exactly what the drilling is doing to peoples water supply. Gas wells require miles of roads and pipelines to move the natural gas from the drilling site to the market. Construction of these transportation corridors can break up the natural landscape and impact wildlife habitat.
Strict Liability: Tort doctrine that holds responsible the individuals or organization responsible for the damages caused by a product which they made or distributed. The prima facie elements of strict liability as presented in the film “Erin Brockavich” are as follows: Hazardous condition: A condition which is inherently dangerous and legally ensures that a person engaged in such an activity can be held strictly liable for injuries caused to another person. PG&E was knowingly dumping a hazardous material known as Hexavalent Chromium into un-lined pools that seeped into the ground and leaked into the Hinkley water supply, therefore creating a hazardous condition which they should be held liable for. Causation: Actual Cause: A factor without which the result in question could not happen. The “but for” test is used to determine actual causation.
Each of these compounds is known to be poisonous, cancerous, or cause birth defects. The EPA fears that the drinking water will compromised due to runoff of the surface water discharge. Additionally, contamination of underground sources of drinking water and inadequate treatment of the waste water are possible. The threat of contaminated water supplies can cause a fearful population, largely due to the propaganda spread by anti-fracking initiatives. Although there are potential economical disadvantages to fracking, there are also enormous positives.
Gas or its inability to escape is what causes volcanos to become violent. The longer gas is trapped, the more pressure builds up. The cause of gas building up is the result of the viscosity of the magma the gas is trapped in. Viscosity is the measure of the flow or how easily a liquid flows. If a liquid is viscous it is thick and will flow slowly like honey whereas a liquid that is nonviscous will flow like water.
Causes of water pollution include: * Increased sediment from soil erosion * Improper waste disposal and littering * Leaching of soil pollution into water supplies The effects of water pollution include decreasing the quantity of drinkable water available, lowering water supplies for crop irrigation and impacting fish and wildlife that require water of certain purity for survival. 3. Soil Pollution Soil, land pollution is contamination of the soil that prevents natural growth and balance in the land
The steam brings hydrogen sulphide gas to the surface and pollutes the air unless controls are instituted. 2. Water contains many salts and minerals capable of causing water pollution. 3. The earth in a geothermal field may subside as the water is pumped out.
The three types of fossil fuels are coal, crude oil, and natural gas. They all take millions of years to form, so they are considered to be “non-renewable”- eventually, the fossil fuels will all be used up. One dangerous biological effect of using fossil fuels is ocean acidification. Extracting and transporting fossil fuels can also be very dangerous. Environmentally damaging accidents such as groundwater contamination, land subsidence, and oil spills occur frequently.