The U.S. natural gas industry has enjoyed record levels of production. The U.S. became the top producer of oil and natural gas in the world in 2018, even beating Saudi Arabia. Gas production experienced a slight dip at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but natural gas drilling once again reached record highs by the end of 2021.

This natural gas boom is largely thanks to hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking. This extraction process combines chemicals, often toxic ones, with large amounts of water and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:sand at high pressure to shatter the earth and rocks. Fracking is a controversial issue because of the number of natural resources it uses and the negative effects it can have on the air and water quality of the fracked areas.

Fracking and Air Quality

One of the🌞 main pollutants re🔯leased in the fracking process is methane, a greenhouse gas that traps 25 times more heat than carbon dioxide.

Research indicates that the U.S. oil and gas industry emits 16.9 million metric tons of methane every year, according to the International Energy Agency. Some of this methane is inadvertently leaked through faulty equipment or deliberately vented into the atmosphere between extractions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the U.S. accounts for more methane emissions than 164 countries combined.

Fracking also releases toxic compounds such as nitrogen oxides, benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and other hydrocarbons in addition to methane. They form smog and ozone that can cause health problems for those living nearby. Local air pollution can aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Fracking and Water Quality

Fracking uses large amounts of water and releases toxic chemicals into the surrounding water table. Each well consumes a median of 1.5 million gallons, according to the EPA. This adds up to billions of gallons nationwide every year. This not only reduces the amount of w🍸ater availab🐟le for drinking and irrigation but it also threatens to pollute local sources with contaminated wastewater.

The byproduct of fracking's water consumption is billions of gallons of wastewater that may be contaminated by petrochemicals. The majority is injected into underground wells and what isn't injected is transported for treatment. The EPA highlights potential leakage from wastewater storage pits and accidental releases during transport as risks to drinking water supplies.

Fracking and Earth and Soil Quality

Fracking can have long-term effects on soil and surrounding vegetation in addition to air and water pollution. The high salinity of wastewater spills can reduce the soil's ability to support plant life.

Fracking has also been blamed for seismic activity. The number of tremors has risen dramatically following the boom of hydraulic fracturing, especially in areas with frequent drilling. The resultant waste fluids are often disposed of after completion of drilling operations by injecting them into deep wells at pressures high enough to cause damaging earthquakes. The largest earthquake attributed to wastewater disposal was an M5.8 Earthquake near Pawnee, Oklahoma in September 2016.

The Bottom Line

Fracking has the potential to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:provide more oil and gas resources to consumers but the process of extraction has long-lasting impacts on the surrounding environment. Air pollutio♛n and water contamination due to the toxic chemicals used are the greatest concerns within fracking sites. The need for wastewater disposal and shrinking water supplies is also a pressing issue that's directly related to the procedure.