Hydraulic Fracturing
by Thida Lorvan
Background
Hydraulic Fracturing also known as fracking, is a process that uses fluid pressure to gather natural gas from below the surface. The fluid pressure is injected into the shale rock; the natural gas then flows up to the surface to be collected. This process has increased to a 20% usage between 2005 and 2012.
Controversy
Against Fracking
Fracking can pollute groundwater and release poisonous gases to the air. Most people who are against fracking believe that if the casings in the fracking well fail then the ground water will be polluted. Others think it will disrupt everyday life.
The Truth
A two year study was done in Carroll Co., Ohio. A team of scientists tested the water in residential wells before fracking occurred. Some of these wells contained high amounts of methane. This methane originates from soil bacteria. To truly know if the water was polluted by a fracking well, the sample is compared by the hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Resources
Works Cited
Summer, Thomas."Fracking Not Linked To Contamination" Science News 186.11 (2014);11.TOPIC Search. Web.16 Dec. 2014
Works Cited
Pritchard, Joshua. "Fracking: Overview." Points of View: Fracking (2014): 1. Points of View Reference Center. Web.8 Dec. 2014