Over the recent years, hydraulic fracturing has made an impact on the world in which we live in today. The process has opened a wide variety of new offers that can change the way of how we go about life. For the most part of it, people drill shale gas from the shale sedimentary rock found deep in the ground. This gas is then used as a sufficient power supply. Even though the use of this gas is more environmentally friendly than that of what is previously used, it still does not compare to the damage fracturing can cause from trying to obtain shale gas. As the economy grows, not only will this call for more fracking operations, it will also mean a greater chance of increasing the fluctuation that is caused by the drilling of hydraulic fracturing.
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According to Merrill and Schizer, “Fracturing fluid is 99.5% water and sand, but the other .5% currently includes toxic chemicals” (181). .5% may not seem like a lot but nevertheless it is toxic chemicals and if not handled properly, these chemicals can get into the water supplies and contaminate them. There are a few possibilities on how this might happen. The first problem stating that the toxins would have to move through the cracks in the ground and seep into the water. But this risk is of not such a high concern as the others considering the fact that fracturing takes place at about 5,000 to 10,000 feet below the surface, while the water systems like aquifers are further up around 500 to 1000 feet below the ground. So this means the chemicals would have to move up through multiple layers of rock. It would be a difficult process but it is still a possible one. Now, moving on to the second factor, which are the possibilities of surface spills. If not taken care of, fracturing chemicals could spill and drain into the ground. This action could take place at any time before or after the drilling has occurred, making it exceptionally risky because of that. Another risk that could take place is the well casings cracking or if there is already a crack in it. No matter what if there is a crack then the fluid would leak into wells and aquifers contaminating
According to Merrill and Schizer, “Fracturing fluid is 99.5% water and sand, but the other .5% currently includes toxic chemicals” (181). .5% may not seem like a lot but nevertheless it is toxic chemicals and if not handled properly, these chemicals can get into the water supplies and contaminate them. There are a few possibilities on how this might happen. The first problem stating that the toxins would have to move through the cracks in the ground and seep into the water. But this risk is of not such a high concern as the others considering the fact that fracturing takes place at about 5,000 to 10,000 feet below the surface, while the water systems like aquifers are further up around 500 to 1000 feet below the ground. So this means the chemicals would have to move up through multiple layers of rock. It would be a difficult process but it is still a possible one. Now, moving on to the second factor, which are the possibilities of surface spills. If not taken care of, fracturing chemicals could spill and drain into the ground. This action could take place at any time before or after the drilling has occurred, making it exceptionally risky because of that. Another risk that could take place is the well casings cracking or if there is already a crack in it. No matter what if there is a crack then the fluid would leak into wells and aquifers contaminating