Water Pollution: Fossil Fuels' Toxic Legacy

Fossil fuels have been powering our world since the Industrial Revolution, and they are the main culprits behind climate change and our overheating planet. The burning of fossil fuels releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of smog and acid rain. The presence of excess nitrogen in the atmosphere is deposited back onto the land and washes into nearby water bodies, contributing to water pollution. Oil spills, fracking fluids, and the storage and disposal of coal combustion residuals, oil sands process-affected water, and oil and gas wastewater are other ways in which fossil fuels cause water pollution.

Oil spills

While some oil will evaporate or be broken down through natural processes like biodegration and oxidation, the impact of oil spills on aquatic ecosystems can be severe and long-lasting. Oil pollution can lower oxygen levels in the water, creating oxygen-deprived zones that are harmful to aquatic life.

Fracking fluids

Fracking is a popular technique in the United States for extracting oil and gas by cracking shale rock deep underground. Each fracking well uses between 1.5 million and 16 million gallons of water, and the resulting wastewater is often toxic, containing substances like arsenic, lead, chlorine, and mercury. This wastewater can contaminate groundwater and drinking water sources.

The process of fracking involves pumping a mixture of water and chemicals at high pressure into wells to extract oil and gas. This mixture, known as fracking fluid, can contain a range of chemicals, including methanol, benzene, diesel, and other toxic substances. If not properly managed, these chemicals can leak or spill, contaminating nearby water sources.

One of the main concerns with fracking fluids is the potential for spills and leaks. These can occur during the transportation, mixing, pumping, storage, or disposal of the fluids. Human error and equipment failure have both been identified as causes of spills and leaks, which have, in some cases, reached surface water resources.

Another issue is the injection of fracking fluids into inadequately constructed wells. For example, in 2010, the EPA attributed the leakage of fracking fluids into water quality monitoring wells in Killdeer, North Dakota, to burst casings (steel pipes used to construct wells). Faulty well construction has also been implicated in cases of methane pollution in drinking water in Pennsylvania and Texas.

The oil and gas industry generates billions of gallons of wastewater each year, which can be a hazardous mixture of used fracking fluid, produced water, heavy metals, salts, toxic hydrocarbons, and even radioactive materials. This wastewater can enter the environment during transportation, storage, or treatment, further contaminating water sources.

Nitrogen oxides

NOx is produced when fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gas, diesel, and methane gas (natural gas) are burned. The burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation, transportation, and energy emits nitrogen pollution into the air. This includes the use of fossil fuels in power plants, industrial sites, and on-road vehicles. Trucks, buses, and cars are the largest sources of NO2 emissions.

The NOx released into the atmosphere contributes to the formation of smog and acid rain. Acid rain occurs when the NOx in the atmosphere reacts with other pollutants from industry and traffic to form acids that can damage vegetation and harm fish eggs and young fish brains. NOx also contributes to ozone pollution in large cities.

Excess nitrogen in the form of NOx or ammonia is deposited back onto land, where it washes into nearby water bodies. This contributes to water pollution, harmful algal blooms, and oxygen-deprived aquatic zones. Ammonia is toxic to aquatic organisms that rely on oxygen for their metabolism, so its presence in water can lead to the death of aquatic plants and animals.

Ocean acidification

The process of ocean acidification occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves into the ocean, triggering a chemical reaction that increases acidity over time. The CO2 combines with water to produce carbonic acid, which releases hydrogen and bicarbonate ions. The higher the concentration of hydrogen ions, the more acidic the water becomes. This increased acidity has significant impacts on marine life, as it interferes with the ocean's ability to stabilize the climate, protect coastal communities, and provide food for billions worldwide.

The shellfish industry, for example, is particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification. A sharp rise in ocean acidity can make it difficult for shellfish and other marine organisms to build and maintain their shells and skeletons, affecting their survival. It is estimated that the U.S. shellfish industry could lose more than $400 million annually by 2100 if ocean acidification continues unchecked.

To address ocean acidification, a transition to clean energy sources is essential. Implementing pollution regulations for power plants and improving fuel economy standards for vehicles can help reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, conserving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions can play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of ocean acidification and protecting vulnerable industries and ecosystems.

While ocean acidification is a significant concern, it is important to note that fossil fuels contribute to water pollution in other ways as well. Oil spills, for instance, can have devastating impacts on marine life and coastal communities, as seen in the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Groundwater contamination

Oil leaks and spills during extraction or transportation can directly contaminate groundwater and drinking water sources. Additionally, coal mining operations contribute to water pollution by washing toxic runoff into streams, rivers, and lakes. The unwanted rock and soil dumped into these water bodies can further compromise water quality.

Fracking, a process used to extract fossil fuels, has also been implicated in groundwater contamination. The fluids injected into the ground during fracking can contain toxic chemicals, including arsenic, lead, chlorine, and mercury. These contaminants can seep into and pollute groundwater and drinking water sources, posing risks to human health and the environment.

Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, leading to the formation of smog and acid rain. While not directly affecting groundwater, the excess nitrogen deposited onto land from acid rain can eventually find its way into water bodies. This excess nitrogen contributes to eutrophication, causing harmful algal blooms and creating oxygen-deprived zones that are detrimental to aquatic life.

The impact of fossil fuels on groundwater contamination extends beyond the immediate pollution events. The storage of wastewater generated during drilling, fracking, and mining operations poses additional risks. This wastewater is often laden with heavy metals, radioactive materials, and other toxic pollutants. If not properly contained and treated, it can leak or overflow into nearby waterways, contaminating aquifers and further exacerbating groundwater pollution.

Frequently asked questions