Marcellus Shale Case Study

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Geology is an earth science that comprises of the study of solid earth, the rocks of which it is composed and the process by which they change. Generally, geology refers to the study of solid features of any celestial body. The Marcellus Shale is a rock that lies at the deepest earth’s surface of the Mid-Atlantic region. The formation of this rock contains an important volume of natural gas that is tripped inside some tiny spaces within the shale. The formation of this gas at the depth requires new advanced technologies in facilitating the drilling process. These drilling technologies that are accompanied by increased markets have significantly made exploration of the Marcellus shale to be highly attractive to the oil and gas industry.
The
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The quality of water in this case is inhibited during the Hydraulic Fracturing where chemicals are used to release gas within the formations. These chemicals pose a threat to the quality of water thereby making it impure for consumption by human beings and animals. The chemicals and their concentrations are regarded to be more dangerous since their sources are unknown. The concentration of these chemicals in water causes unbearable symptoms of nausea, respiratory irritation, kidney, liver and heart damage, chemical burns and rashes that affect many …show more content…
The second and the third methods include pumping of flow back wastewater from Marcellus wells into underground injection wells and hauling the wastewater to an approved industrial wastewater treatment plant where the water is treated and discharged to surface water.
In conclusion, geology and environmental concerns of the Marcellus Shale analyses the drilling process of the natural gas that is formed at a depth of 4000 to 8000 feet. The formation of this natural gas has been of varying effects to the environment and human beings. In its extraction, the natural gas emits some harmful chemicals that affect the aquatic life of sea animals as well as human health. However, the state regulation has enhanced proper mechanisms to dispose the wastewater thereby controlling some of the harmful effects to the environment and human

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