The environmental impacts of hydrauliuc fracturing

South African in Pittsburgh to study the possible environmental effects of shell gas drilling.

Hydraulic fracturing operation, Grass Mesa, Colorado. Photo Credit: Peggy UTESCH



Hydraulic Fracturing

The process of hydraulic fracturing has been defined as the process that involves pumping pressurised water, sand and chemicals into the ground to extract a natural gas and petroleum deeply buried in the earth (Philippe, 1997:239).

The environmental impacts

The USA National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (2012:115) stated that the American Petroleum Institute deny that hydraulic fracturing has hidden problems with gas drilling.

The risks include air quality, migration of gases and hydraulic fracturing chemicals to the surface, potential mishandling of wastes (especially wastewaters) and the contamination of ground water.
　

Air quality

The main air emissions of hydraulic fracturing are methane emissions from the wells during fracturing from hydraulic equipment, such as compressor stations (http://www.earthworksaction.org). As mentioned by Robert (2011:679) the methane from shale gas production escapes to the atmosphere in venting and leaks over the lifetime of a well. Methane gradually breaks down in the atmosphere, forming carbon dioxide (Robert, 2011:680). As a result the methane in the air pollutes the quality of air.

Migration of gases and hydraulic fracturing chemicals to the surface

A variety of chemicals are used in hydraulic fracturing fluids. The toxic substances include petroleum distillates such as kerosene and diesel fuel.
When these chemicals are spilled they contaminate the soil and surface waters therefore leading to the death of aquatic life and soil erosion.
　

Potential mishandling of wastes

During hydraulic fracturing, millions of gallons of wastewater are generated and require either treatment for re-use, or dispose (http://www.earthworksaction.org).The US Geological Survey (2012:115) has found that flowback may contain a variety of formation materials, including brines, heavy metals, radionuclides, and organics,  which can make wastewater treatment difficult and expensive.

In a July, 2009 letter obtained by ProPublica, the Department wrote that "Handling and disposal of this wastewater could be a public health concern." The letter also mentioned that the state may have difficulty disposing of the waste, that thorough testing will be needed at water treatment plants, and that workers may need to be monitored for radiation as much as they might be at nuclear facilities  (http://www.earthworksaction.org).

Contamination of groundwater

Hydraulic fracturing is used in many coal bed methane (CBM) production areas. Some coal beds contain groundwater of high enough quality to be considered underground sources of drinking water (http://www.earthworksaction.org).
Not only does the injection of these chemicals pose a short-term threat to drinking water quality, it is quite possible that there could be long-term negative consequences for sources of drinking water from these fracturing fluids (http://www.earthworksaction.org).

Given this information, we can clearly see that South Africa has to think carefully about the impacts that the exploration of hydraulic fracturing will have on the environment, its citizens and at what cost. We also need to take into the consideration that the plan of the $2 billion radio telescope in the Karoo region will not be implemented if the exploration of gas takes place.