Thursday, March 1, 2012

hydraulic fracturing. what are your thoughts or concerns?


The article, “EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination” essentially discuss that underground water pollution in central Wyoming that is linked to hydraulic fracturing had many contaminants found in it that was allegedly caused by the gas drilling process. Furthermore, EPA took water samples from residents’ drinking water wells in 2008 and found many chemical compounds – hydrocarbons, among others. They drilled two water monitoring wells to 1,000 feet and confirmed that high levels of chemicals were among the Wyoming wells – such as benzene, and 2 butoxyethanol (used in fracking.)  EPA officials released a 121-page draft report on the issue. Contaminations from fracking are happening; high-pressure injection of the mixture of water, sand, and toxic chemicals are migrating into the underground sources of drinking water and citizens are drinking it without even knowing it. Question that should be rattling in your mind is, what is there to do about it?
First, Renewable energy sources should be used (prices must decrease as well to reasonable price for ordinary average citizens.) Second, tracers should be used. Non-toxic, benign tracers should be used; they are markers of fluids (color.) Essentially, the color of tracers would definitely distinguish if the water contamination's where caused by humans or naturally. Tracers and the scientific drilling research EPA does would knock this dilemma out of the park.Third, I read recently on Smart Economy, that a green alternative is also available, “Cavitation Hydrovibration.” Many other alternatives are available but this one particularly intrigued me. Cavitation Hydrovibration is designed to fracture rock, using a pressurized water pulse action on rock stratum to increase its degree of fracturing. Moreover, it operates using pure water only, without using any of the chemicals usually used in fracking that damages the environment and contaminate water tables.
With many alternatives readily available as such, there should be no reason that hydraulic fracturing should still be occurring, especially due to the many toxic chemicals involved, and the many lives that will be destroyed. 



 

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