Fracking: An Industry Under Pressure

Berkeley Scientific: the journal of young scientists

article

Jo Melville¹ 

[1] University of California

关键词: Fracking;   

DOI  :  10.5070/BS3181020646

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: University of California, Berkeley

【 摘 要 】

Three miles beneath the surface of the earth and at pressures exceeding one thousand atmospheres, a complex concoction of chemicals spurts, rupturing stone and cracking sheetrock through sheer force. As fractures creep out from theshattered bedrock, the fluid continues its destructive course,splitting millennia-old stone as if it were soft timber. As thepressure ebbs away further from the epicenter of the eventand the initial pressure surge subsides, the wash of gushingliquid gives way to a tide of granular particles almost like awave of quicksand. The particulate matter penetrates deepwithin the myriad ruptures, wedging them open so that therocks themselves can release their precious bounty -- energyrich shale gas trapped between layers of stratified rock.The process that has just taken place is known as hydraulic fracturing, but is far more ubiquitous under a different name -- fracking. Fracking has had its fair share of themedia spotlight recently, with innumerable reports and studiesshowing that it taints everything from our atmosphere to ourwater tables while similar amounts of reports and studiesdeclare it not only perfectly safe, but vital for the stability ofthe energy economy. Both sides have convincing evidenceand plenty of scientific clout; it is very likely that neither side iscompletely right. Whatever the case, it is vitally important thatwe acknowledge the benefits and consequences of hydraulicfracturing. Because of its vital importance to the extractionof natural gas and oil, both central tenets of the energy industry, banning fracking could hugely destabilize energy prices.However, if fracking is polluting our air and water, allowing itto continue could be even worse. To fully understand the controversy behind fracking, it is necessary to understand what itis and how it works.

【 授权许可】

Unknown