Fracking's Water Pollution: Understanding The Contamination Risk

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a controversial fossil fuel extraction technique that has gained popularity in the United States and other countries. It involves injecting water, chemicals, and sand at high pressure into underground wells to crack shale rock and release oil and gas. While fracking has contributed to the energy landscape, it has also raised concerns about its environmental impact, particularly water pollution. Evidence suggests that fracking operations can contaminate groundwater and surface waterways, posing risks to both the environment and human health.

Toxic chemicals in drinking water

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a process that breaks apart rock formations deep underground to extract fossil fuels like oil and methane gas. This is done by injecting water, chemicals, and sand into horizontal wells under high pressure. The process requires a lot of water—more than 100,000 gallons of water are used to create a fracking well.

The issue of toxic chemicals in drinking water due to fracking is a serious concern. The process of fracking can contaminate both groundwater and surface waterways such as rivers, lakes, and streams. Toxic chemicals used in fracking, such as methanol, can leach into groundwater and make their way into municipal water systems, posing a risk to human health. Methanol, for example, can cause permanent nerve damage and blindness if consumed in sufficient quantities.

Fracking operations can also strain water resources and risk polluting them through spills and leaks of fracking fluids, the injection of fluids into poorly constructed wells, and inadequate wastewater management practices. Human error and equipment failure can lead to spills and leaks, which have been known to reach surface water resources. The vast infrastructure required for fracking, including well pads, access roads, pipelines, and utility corridors, can also contribute to water resource strain and pollution.

The impact of fracking-related water pollution on human health is significant. Research has linked water pollution from fracking to negative infant health outcomes, including an increased incidence of preterm births and low birth weight. Additionally, the contamination of water sources can lead to neurological problems, respiratory diseases, and cancer in those exposed to the polluted water.

The environmental impact of fracking-related water pollution is also detrimental. Water contamination can cause fish kills, with one incident in Ohio resulting in the death of over 70,000 fish. The loud machines and bright lights of industrial fracking areas can also drive wildlife away from critical habitats, leading to population declines, such as the drop in the number of mule deer and cerulean warblers near fracking sites.

Poor wastewater management

One of the main challenges is the sheer amount of wastewater produced. Up to 60% of the water injected into a wellhead during fracking will quickly return to the surface as "flowback" or wastewater. Throughout the life of a wellhead, it can discharge up to 100,000 gallons (378 m3/day) of wastewater. This wastewater contains various contaminants, including dangerous volatile organic compounds, arsenic, chloride, and naturally occurring radioactive elements such as radium.

The treatment, storage, and disposal of this wastewater are critical to preventing water pollution. However, there are concerns that current practices are inadequate. For example, in Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has expressed worries about the potential contamination of water supplies due to the large number of shale gas wells in the state. The centralised wastewater management concept is gaining traction, with over a dozen centralised wastewater treatment facilities in North America already operational or in development.

The safe transportation of wastewater is another critical aspect. Monika Freyman, a senior manager at the nonprofit organisation Ceres, highlighted the complexity of wastewater pathways and the risks associated with transporting it across the countryside. Furthermore, spills and leaks of fracking fluids can occur during transportation, mixing, pumping, storage, and disposal, with some spills reaching surface water resources.

The environmental and health impacts of poor wastewater management in fracking are significant. Contaminated wastewater can pollute groundwater and public water supplies, leading to adverse effects on human health, including poorer birth outcomes and an increased risk of childhood asthma and heart attacks. The degradation of water resources can also have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and wildlife. Therefore, it is crucial to implement stringent regulations and improved wastewater management practices to mitigate these risks and protect public health and the environment.

Man-made earthquakes

In Ohio and Arkansas, small earthquakes have been associated with hydraulic fracturing for natural gas. Although industry executives claim there is no conclusive evidence, scientists argue that it is a plausible cause. The high-pressure wastewater injected into these wells, often located in densely populated areas, can build up over time and lead to earthquakes.

The issue of man-made earthquakes is not new. As early as the 1960s, geologists observed that gold mines in South Africa had caused small earthquakes due to the collapse of caverns dug deep underground. This "pancake" effect resulted in a magnitude 5.2 earthquake. Similarly, a wastewater well in Colorado's Rocky Mountain Arsenal was believed to have triggered a magnitude 4.8 quake during the same decade.

The disposal of fracking wastewater has been a particular concern. In central Arkansas, for instance, more than a dozen homeowners attributed the swarm of over 1,000 minor earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 to the disposal of fracking wastewater, which led to property damage and injuries. This highlights the vulnerability of states that rarely experience natural earthquakes and may be ill-prepared to handle seismic activity.

To address the problem of man-made earthquakes, some have suggested recycling fracking wastewater instead of injecting it into wells. However, Pennsylvania's attempt at wastewater treatment fell short, as the "cleaned" water returned to rivers was still not sufficiently purified. As a result, well operators resorted to sending the wastewater to Ohio for well injection.

Air pollution

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a method used to extract natural gas and oil from deep rock formations. This is done by injecting water, chemicals, and sand into horizontal wells under high pressure to crack rock and release oil and gas. The process has been associated with multiple environmental damages, including air pollution.

Fracking releases large amounts of methane, a dangerously potent greenhouse gas. Fracked shale gas wells may have methane leakage rates as high as 7.9%, which would make such natural gas worse for the climate than coal. Methane has a higher potential to trap heat than carbon dioxide, and its leakage during the fracking process contributes to the greenhouse effect.

In addition to methane, fracking also releases other harmful chemicals into the air, such as benzene and xylene. These toxic chemicals can cause an increased risk of cancer, especially for people living within 0.5 miles of a fracking well. The production phase of fracking has the potential to emit the highest concentrations and most varied mixture of air pollutants over the longest period.

The loud machines and bright lights of industrial fracking areas can also have negative impacts on wildlife. A Colorado study revealed that exposure to air pollution from fracking could cause neurological problems, respiratory diseases, and cancer in wild animals. Bird species, in particular, are poisoned by chemicals in wastewater ponds.

Negative health effects

Fracking has been linked to a range of negative health effects, with studies finding evidence of harm from the practice. The contamination of water supplies by fracking has been associated with various health issues, including short-term and long-term impacts on both physical and mental health.

Physical Health Effects

Water contamination from fracking has been linked to a range of physical health problems. Studies have found that exposure to polluted water and air can lead to headaches, coughing, nausea, nose bleeds, skin and eye irritation, dizziness, and shortness of breath. The presence of toxic chemicals and radioactive elements in the water supply has been a significant concern. These contaminants have been linked to gastrointestinal, circulatory, respiratory, developmental, and neurological disorders, as well as an increased risk of cancer.

Fracking has also been associated with negative reproductive health outcomes. Research has indicated a link between pregnant women living near fracking sites and low birth weights, heart defects, and preterm births. Additionally, there have been reports of suspected pediatric cancer clusters in heavily fracked regions, although more longitudinal studies are needed to fully understand the correlation.

Mental Health Effects

The process of fracking and the associated construction, traffic, noise, and light pollution can also have detrimental effects on mental health. Studies have shown an increase in stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as sleep disruptions, among individuals impacted by fracking operations.

Long-term Effects and Uncertainties

While some health effects may be immediate, the full extent of the harm caused by fracking may not be known for decades. The contamination of water supplies and exposure to toxic chemicals can have long-lasting consequences, including an increased risk of cancer and other serious health issues.

There is still uncertainty regarding the exact exposure pathways and the full scope of the health impacts associated with fracking. The lack of transparency around the specific chemicals used in fracking mixtures makes it challenging to fully understand the potential risks.

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