Fracking: Analysis of Environmental and Economic Consequences

This essay provides an overview of fracking, defining it as the process of extracting gas and oil from shale rock using high-pressure fluids and chemicals. It discusses the rapid expansion of the gas and oil industry and the technological advancements in extraction. The essay highlights the advantages of fracking, such as its ability to access hard-to-reach resources, boost economic conditions, and potentially lower gas prices. However, it also explores the controversial aspects, including the depletion of natural resources, environmental hazards like ozone level increases, potential groundwater issues, and harmful emissions like methane, which contribute to climate change. The essay concludes that while fracking can meet energy needs and benefit economies, its environmental and health impacts must be carefully considered.

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Fracking
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Author Note

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Fracking can be defined as the process with which drilling is then into the earth with the
help of high pressure and mixtures of some elements with water. The high pressure is inflicted
on rocks so that it release gases inside. The rocks are injected with chemicals water and sand
which results in flowing of gas at the head of the wall which is intended. The gas and oil industry
is making expansions in the last few decades very rapidly. There has also been significant
development of technology which is used in the process of extraction, transportation and
deliverance of these commodities (Howarth, Ingraffea and Engelder 2011). Hydraulic fracturing
has been one of the most criticized topics in the recent past for several reasons. The process is
commonly known as fracking which is considered to be dangerous as well.
Extreme pressure is created for the process of Rock formation with the help of sand and
water. The process is found to be effective in order to extract gas and oil by fracturing the
material surrounding. The process is considered to be highly controversial due to the depletion of
natural resources and the effects it causes to the environment for the completion of the process of
extraction (Bbc.com 2020). Thus, it can be referred to as being the process which is followed in
order to recover oil and gas from shale rock.
Fracking is considered to be essential and with advantages associated with it as it allows
reaching resources which are hard to accessible with the help of drilling process (Bažant et al.
2014) This often enhances the process of oil production and boosts economic conditions. The
prices of gas also comes down to a significant level when fracking allows extraction of these
gases through extraction (Jackson et al. 2014). The energy needs of the world can be met with
the help of Fracking. Natural gases can easily be accessible with hydraulic fracking rather than
extraction of oil and coal. A company’s economic can be benefited as it decreases dependency
on foreign exchanges and import of oil.

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However, fracking has been associated with several detrimental outcomes as well. The
natural and crude oil and gases become accessible due to Fracking, with which it the limited
resources are used and even exploited, which heavily impacts the environment (Lowimpact.org
2020). The levels of ozone can rise in the atmosphere, leading to severe health and
environmental hazards caused due to it (Mooney 2011). The long term consequences associated
with the same are quite unknown. It may even bring along severe issues related to groundwater.
Fracking is also one of the main reasons behind harmful emissions in the atmosphere which
include methane as well (Futureofworking.com 2020). This might lead to even more severe
climate changes and rises in the greenhouse gases, making air less breathable.
It can thus be concluded by saying that Fracking might be a process which benefits to
meet the energy needs by not having to depend on foreign countries. It even boosts the economy
of the country. However, there are several harmful outcomes of the practice, effecting
environment and health.

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References
Bažant, Z.P., Salviato, M., Chau, V.T., Viswanathan, H. and Zubelewicz, A., 2014. Why
fracking works. Journal of Applied Mechanics, 81(10).
Bbc.com, 2020. Fracking Pros And Cons Explained. [online] BBC News. Available at:
<https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-lancashire-33230412/fracking-the-pros-and-cons-of-
extracting-shale-gas> [Accessed 25 March 2020].
Futureofworking.com, 2020. 21 Advantages And Disadvantages Of Fracking. [online]
FutureofWorking.com. Available at: <https://futureofworking.com/7-advantages-and-
disadvantages-of-fracking/> [Accessed 25 March 2020].
Howarth, R.W., Ingraffea, A. and Engelder, T., 2011. Should fracking stop?. Nature, 477(7364),
pp.271-275.
Lowimpact.org, 2020. The Pros And Cons Of Fracking In The UK And Why You Need To Know
About Them. [online] Lowimpact.org. Available at: <https://www.lowimpact.org/pros-cons-
fracking-uk-need-know/> [Accessed 25 March 2020].
Mooney, C., 2011. The truth about fracking. Scientific American, 305(5), pp.80-85.
Jackson, R.B., Vengosh, A., Carey, J.W., Davies, R.J., Darrah, T.H., O'sullivan, F. and Pétron,
G., 2014. The environmental costs and benefits of fracking. Annual Review of Environment and
Resources, 39, pp.327-362.