Essays on Fracking

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a process of drilling down into the earth and injecting a mixture of water, sand and chemicals at high pressure to fracture rocks deep underground in order to release natural gas. Since its introduction in the United States in 1947, fracking has become increasingly popular among energy companies due to its ability to access large amounts of oil and gas that were previously inaccessible. Despite this popularity, there are still many concerns regarding the potential environmental impacts associated with fracking.The most significant concern related to fracking is its potential for groundwater contamination. As part of the process, water mixed with sand and chemicals is injected deep into the ground where it can come into contact with aquifers used as sources of drinking water for communities nearby. Studies have found that some contaminants from these fluids can migrate through pores in rock formations and contaminate wells used for drinking water supplies. Additionally, methane gas released during fracking operations can also make its way up through these pathways and pollute local drinking water resources. Another major issue surrounding fracking is its contribution to air pollution levels due to various toxic emissions generated during production processes such as diesel exhaust from trucks involved in moving equipment around sites or burning off excess gases at well heads. Air pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by such activities have been linked with serious health issues including respiratory illnesses, neurological problems or even cancer when exposed over long periods of time at high concentrations near drilling sites. Finally, there are numerous other ways through which fracking operations could be potentially impacting ecosystems around wellsites such as increased noise pollution from heavy machinery; disruption from truck traffic on small roads leading up to wells; destruction caused by clear-cutting trees for pad construction; sedimentation resulting from runoff discharged back into surface waters; etcetera – all contributing further stressors on delicate environments already struggling under current weather patterns brought about by climate change effects on our planet today.. In conclusion , although it may provide an alternate source of energy compared to more traditional methods , there are still considerable risks associated with frac king . It is important that appropriate measures be taken not only protect our environment but also ensure public safety when undertaking any kind of extraction activity .