Link to the article: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-08/gas-fracking-chemicals-detected-in-wyoming-aquifer-epa-says.html
Article written by Jim Efstathiou Jr.
Summary: The EPA, or the Environmental Protection Agency, found chemicals used in the process of "fracking" in aquifers in the state of Wyoming. "Fracking" is when millions of gallons of chemically treated water and sand are forced underground to break rock and let trapped vapor flow. About one-third of United States' gas is from fracking.
After receiving complaints from the residents of Pavillion, the city in which these chemicals were found, the EPA began investigating and found that the levels of the chemicals in the deep wells violated the Safe Drinking Water Act. Amy Mall, senior policy analyst for the group in Washington, stated in an interview, "EPA experts and scientists have recognized that there is real contamination, that there is a real scientific basis for linking it to fracking" and that better laws and regulations were needed.
Opinion/Reflection: From one of our homework assignments, I learned that fracking was another process of extracting natural gas. I also learned that it was a very controversial issue. Now that I have read this article, I understand the basic dilemmas of fracking: the United States rely very heavily on fracking as a source for gas, but unfortunately, fracking can have negative impacts on our environment. As shown in the article, it can harm our aquifers, which in turn can contaminate our drinking water. Even after I have read this, I am still unsure if I am for or against fracking. But one thing I do know is that I agree with Amy Mall. We need more rules and regulations for fracking. Otherwise, another city's aquifers can be ruined like the one in Pavillion.
Questions:
1) What will happen to the residents of Pavillion, Wyoming? Will they have to continue using alternate sources of water?
2) What kinds of harmful effects can this contaminated water have if people drink them?
3) Does fracking have any other harmful effects on the environment, other than contaminating aquifers?
Opinion:
ReplyDeleteI think that we have to rethink fracking. This caused a town to have chemicals in their drinking water. That is not good because they would have to find an alternative source of water, which could cost more. Also the people of this town could have been drinking this contaminated water for a little while without knowing it. In class we learned how it can contaminate our aquifers, but i have not heard of a real case until this one.
Questions:
What can we do to stop the gas from getting into the aquifers?
What would happen to the residents of Pavillion if the drinking water conditions got worse?
What would happen if the people of Pavillion drank this water?
opinion/Reflection: i think that we should do a some more research on fracking, considering that it is already a very constroversial topic. People most likely dont mind when they do this until it is near their water supply. that is what happens with everything. also, we are already running low on water, as we learned before, so we should keep our fresh water clean so we have it for the future.
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
1) does the water get tested that is near the fracking a lot to make sure it is suitable for people?
2) is there another way besides fracking we can use to get the gas?
3) does fracking happen everywhere?
Opinion:
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing the film 'Gasland' I am against fracking. Even thought I have not heard the argument from the other side, I still believe it is bad. Those people should not have to be afraid of their own water. Water is something that we should all have and never have to worry about it. I understand that obtaining the natural gas could be a plus but at what cost?
Expansion:
This article is about exactly what toxins are found in some water where fracking is close by.
http://www.arkansasconservation.org/arkansas_conservation_all/why-is-fracking-so-bad.html
Questions:
1. Is there a way to obtain the natural gas without polluting the nearby water?
2. Is polluting the water worth obtaining the natural gas?
3. Could polluted water caused by fracking ever come where we live?