Scientific American Synthesis

Scientific American Synthesis

            In December, 2011, the EPA commenced a study to determine whether water pollution was linked to hydraulic fracking (Scientific American).  It turned out it was.  When hydraulic fluids mixed with underground water in Wyoming, it created glycol ethers and other synthetic compounds.  These compounds to not exist naturally in the environment, so their presence raised suspicion of the effects of fracking.

            Previously, drillers argued that fracking was a safe and natural way to obtain fuel (Scientific American).  It would also be the solution to reduce foreign gas and oil imports.  Chesapeake Energy wrote in their 2012 Fact Sheet that fracking “is critical to America’s energy needs and its economic renewal” (Chesapeake Energy).  Amy Mall, an analyst on the Natural Resources Defense Council disagrees.  “No one can accurately say that there is 'no risk' where fracking is concerned," she said. “This draft report makes obvious that there are many factors at play, any one of which can go wrong. Much stronger rules are needed to ensure that well construction standards are stronger and reduce threats to drinking water.”

            The EPA’s study was launched because WY residents started to complain about their water quality (Scientific American).  Sometimes, their water would turn brown after nearby fracking occurred.  Samples were taken from the faucets in 2008 and examined for pollutants.  In 2010, the EPA suggested that the residents not drink or bathe in the water.

            They confirmed that fracking caused the pollution by deducting other sources (Scientific American).  The underground water wells could not possibly be polluted by waste pits because of the sheer distance between the two; the wells of interest were 1,000 feet below the pits! Agriculture and drilling was also out of the question.

            This diagnosis may change the way that America decides to obtain fuel.  For decades we have been heavily reliant on oil.  We know that we have to change to an alternate source of energy eventually, and this discovery could be the push we need. 

Works Cited:

 EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination: Scientific American." Science

News, Articles and Information. Web. 01 Mar. 2012. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fracking-linked-water-contamination-federal-agency>.

Chesapeake Energy. "Hydraulic Fracturing." Facts. Jan. 2012. Web. 01 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.hydraulicfracturing.com/Pages/information.aspx>.