Fracking Research Paper

Words: 897
Pages: 4

Although fracking offers several benefits to the economy, reports and claims of side effects linked to health related and environmental issues continue to rise. Hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking” is the process of drilling into the earth and releasing a water mixture with high pressure. The water mixture causes gas to release from the rock. The mixture contains water, sand and chemicals. Generally, the process is performed vertically by drilling horizontally into the layers of rock.
Some of the known consequences associated with the fracking process are effects related to the air quality, water quality, potential for oil spills and earthquakes. The impact to the air quality is related to the use of methane, which is one of the primary chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process. Methane is considered to be significantly stronger than carbon dioxide, which causes a negative impact on the air quality. The increase in the methane spreads the pollutants that are circulated through the emissions process. In addition to the
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Water contamination is caused, "during the fracturing process, injected fluids can flow to other areas of the formation (“fluid leakoff”) " ( Palliser, 20-24). The overflow, if not controlled can seep into the ground, which flows into surrounding wells around drilling sites.
In addition, individuals and communities are experiencing the negative impacts of fracking. The community’s often do not have the ability to accommodate the hectic activities that coincide with the new development of energy. The “social impacts include “[increased] stress, [changing] patterns of interactions within communities, [decreased] community cohesion, and [changing community] character” as new people move to a community to seek employment” (Boudet, 36). This negative increase can lead to increased crime and social problems within the