Fracking Essay

One of the fuels commonly used today is natural gas. Natural gas can be harvested through hydro-fracturing or fracking shale, a type of sedimentary rock. The natural gas is harvested by drilling wells deep into the shale and releasing the natural gas trapped inside. Natural gas has become increasingly important recently and as a result there has been an increased focus on attaining the natural gas through fracking. However, there has been an increasing amount of backlash about the effects that fracking has on water supplies, livestock (including animals used for food) public concerns and safety. There are documented incidents where fracking has polluted water supplies, contaminated animals and sickened people. There is a conflict between the producers and consumers of the natural gas, and the people it is affecting. Natural gas is a commodity that we are fast exploiting, and we are only beginning to see the consequences of our actions. Hydro-fracking for

There were two spills notable because of the extent of their damage. One was about 10,500 gallons of fracking fluid that was spilled into an unnamed tributary of Brush Run, which is a fishery receiving special protections for its rich biodiversity. The spill killed fish and other types of aquatic life, and covered the water with an unnatural sheen (Wilber, 2012). This spill damaged the ecosystem of Brush Run. However, the next spill had an even worse effect. Dunkard Creek had more than 161 aquatic species. It was at the heart of one of the most biologically different watersheds in the area. On September 4, 2009, dead fish began collecting in part of Dunkard Creek. By the end of the month, just about everything in Dunkard Creek was dead. The only exception to this was an invasive microscopic alga that had invaded Dunkard Creek. And a stench hung over the watershed (Wilber,