Environmental Management Removing Natural Resources by Means Essay

Environmental Management

Removing natural resources by means of forcing fluids and sand into fissures in high density reservoir rock is called hydraulic fracturing or fracking. Fracking is also used for additional processes but, it is the process and the byproducts of oil and gas removal that are creating the current environmental concern because it is the most common reason for fracking. The process itself is also at issue as it forces an unnatural breaking down of rock and extends existing fissures and may be the cause of unnatural movements and activities beneath the earth's surface. More importantly, the process involves various chemicals being pumped into the earth and there is not an acceptable method for dealing with these waste products at this time. Most of these by-products are being stored in underground wells or natural holding tanks (reservoirs). Methane gas is also seeping into groundwater, rivers, and the atmosphere effecting water quality and the ozone, obviously creating health hazards or potential health hazards. Currently, the wastewater is exempt from water regulatory agencies.

The process of fracking is predominantly done with water. However, there are numerous chemicals also used in the process. These chemicals include but are not toxins, carcinogens, and acids. Some of these chemicals escape into the smaller fractures in the porous rock and seep into the water table but, that is not the greatest cause for concern because the process occurs so deep within the earth. The main concern is the handling of the water tainted with these chemicals once the process is complete.There is not an accepted method of disposing of this wastewater at this time. Most of this chemically infused water is being stored in underground reservoirs awaiting an answer.

In the meantime, this wastewater is seeping into groundwater and causing great concern among environmentalists as well as the communities that are being affected. Also of great concern, is whether the methane gas that is being released into the environment through the process of fracking. Not only does methane poison existing water supplies, it affects the ozone adversely.

Recently there have been earthquake tremors in Texas and Arkansas where previously (in recorded history) there were none. Many, including the locals, are blaming it on the hydraulic fracturing that is occurring in these areas. There is no proof at this time, but it probably isn't coincidence that earthquakes are now occurring in areas with no history of significant seismic activity where fracking is being introduced. With the rate that fracking is occurring and the amount of wastewater it is producing, it is imperative that federal and state regulatory agencies address the issue and begin controlling the handling of these materials and the process of hydraulic fracturing.

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Coal mining in the Appalachia region is most certainly responsible for the disparate health issues in that area. There is a significant difference in the health issues suffered by those in the coal mining region compared to the United States in general as well as compared to other areas….....