Recently, the media and the public have paid significant attention to fracking as an environmental concern. “Fracking” is a shortened name for induced hydraulic fracturing, a method to obtain petroleum products from the earth. In this method, water and usually sand are injected at high pressures to create wells. A recent article in Scientific American discussed the concern that fracking creates contamination in groundwater. The article, “Methane in Pennsylvania Groundwater May Originate in Fracked Gas Wells,” by Christopher Crockett discussed the results of a recently released study on contaminated water. The article was published on June 28, 2013.
According to Crockett (2013), Duke University scientists identified methane, ethane and propane in the groundwater near fracking sites in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This area of Pennsylvania is currently being used for increased fracking due to its large Marcellus shale deposit. The article explains that fracking involves hydraulically fracturing the shale deposit thousands of meters below the ground’s surface. This allows the natural petroleum products to flow into a well. Without this technique, these petroleum reserves would be unreachable. The well is protected by a metal casing; however, if there are integrity issues with the casing, the groundwater may become contaminated.
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The researchers examined the well water samples from 141 homes across six counties. While methane was found in many of the samples, wells located within one mile of a fracking location had levels over six times the average level. The researchers also examined the source of the methane contamination. Crockett explains that, while there are many natural sources of methane, methane can be source-apportioned through isotope analysis. The researchers believe that the methane, ethane and propane derive from Marcellus shale formation. They believe leaky well casings are the cause. The owners of the fracking wells argued that this is not the truth. However, the findings cannot be explained by other means. The owners argue that since they do not have access to the exact location of the wells that were sampled, they cannot correctly identify the issue (Crockett, 2013).
The issue of fracking is important to conservation biology and to this course. Conservation biology is a multi-disciplinary field that focuses on preserving the natural world and its biodiversity. An important aspect of this is recognizing the threat of pollution to the planet. If these contaminants were found in wells, it indicates that the ground water is contaminated. Ground water is one of the most vital aspects of the environment. The aquifers provide a significant source of water in the water cycle. Ground water is “not immune from contamination” (Moore, 2002, p. 367). This type of contamination would be considered a point source because it derives from a specific site where the integrity is breached.
This article was interesting to me because of the importance of the two issues associated with it: pollution and energy. Obviously, safe sources of energy must be found. We also look for newer sources as our current ones are depleted. However, we need to balance our need for new sources of energy with the potential for environmental damage. Currently, fracking has drawn significant attention for its potential damaging methods. However, all methods of obtaining petroleum products appear damaging. The 2010 Deep Water Horizon disaster is a recent example of the potential damage. The lasting effects of the oil spill disaster will not likely be known for decades (“Gulf spill restoration,” 2013). Often, individuals in the energy field and environmentalists face off on these respective issues, for obvious reasons. These issues and the controversies merely indicate that as a species we need to become more energy conscious. Wasting energy clearly affects more than us as a species. It also indicates that science and technology needs to continue to investigate clean energy methods, such as wind and solar.
This is a crucial topic of research. It involves both pollution and energy use. These issues do not exist independently of one another. These two issues need to be investigated as a joint topic. It ranks as one of the most important issues of the modern world. Scientists continue to discover how the constant need for energy impacts the planet. The decisions society makes today greatly impacts individuals who have not even been born yet. Therefore, this type of research should be funded with taxpayer monies. This research is a taxpayer issue because it involves clean water, one of the most important aspects for healthy living for humans and all species.
Fracking needs to be examined in greater detail. However, the scientists in the study believe it is a faulty casing that resulted in the contamination. The studies enable researchers to discover ways to access energy in a safer format. This can possibly lead to research on how to create stronger casings. That should not be taxpayer funded. Since the energy companies reap the windfall profits from fracking, they should be forced to pay for its safe development. It is not fair to expect taxpayers to continue to subsidize the energy companies and then still pay high prices for energy. Strong regulations need to be in place to ensure that the energy companies take every possible precaution to prevent these incidences of environmental contamination. Without the regulations, the energy companies may not pay for more expensive and stronger casings to protect the surrounding groundwater.
Fracking will likely continue to be an important issue in science, the media and the public for a period to come. The increased focus on it indicates that individuals are becoming more aware of the effects of their energy needs. This can only be a positive outcome, since it may encourage individuals to focus more on energy conservation.
- Crockett, C. (2013, June 28). Methane in Pennsylvania ground water may originate in fracked gas wells. Scientific American. Retrieved July 3, 2013, from: http://www.scientificamerican.com
- “Gulf spill restoration,” (2013) NOAA. Retrieved July 3, 2013, from: http://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/
- Moore, GS. (2002) Living with the earth. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers.
