DocM Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Science 1, Docu-Fiction 0 http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/experts-trace-tainted-water-leaky-wells-not-fracking-n204061 Experts Trace Tainted Water to Leaky Wells, Not Fracking The drilling procedure called fracking didn't cause much-publicized cases of tainted groundwater in areas of Pennsylvania and Texas, a new study finds. Instead, it blames the contamination on problems in pipes and seals in natural gas wells. After looking at dozens of cases of suspected contamination, the scientists focused on eight hydraulically fractured wells in those states, where they chemically linked the tainted water to the gas wells. They then used chemical analysis to figure out when in the process of gas extraction methane leaked into groundwater. "We found the evidence suggested that fracking was not to blame, that it was actually a well integrity issue," said Ohio State University geochemist Thomas Darrah, lead author of the study. He said those results are good news because that type of contamination problem is easier to fix and is more preventable. The work was released Monday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGHammer Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Science 1, Docu-Fiction 0 http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/experts-trace-tainted-water-leaky-wells-not-fracking-n204061 This is not a new issue - there have been similar cases where reservoirs have been contaminated by gasoline (leaks from older tanks entering the city water system via similarly-leaky water-system pipelines) - three recent cases were in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Infrastructure neglect biting the nation in the bum - again! Draconian Guppy 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Decryptor Veteran Posted September 16, 2014 Veteran Share Posted September 16, 2014 In hydraulic fracturing, water is pumped underground to break up shale at a depth far below the water table, he explained. The long vertical pipes that carry the resulting gas upward are encircled in cement to keep the natural gas from leaking out along the well. The study suggests that natural gas that has leaked into aquifers is the result of failures in the cement used in the well. So it's not the fracking itself that causes the gasses to seep into the aquifier, it's the structure that supports the fracking that does it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 16, 2014 Author Share Posted September 16, 2014 Most fracking is done in existing wells to extend their useful life. The frastructure (well casings, seals etc.) is the issue - a fixable one in old or new wells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatingFatMan Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Who wants to bet the anti-fracking brigade will completely ignore this and carry on with their rhetoric? psmoked and Packet1009 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 16, 2014 Author Share Posted September 16, 2014 You can bet on it. Enviro-whacko protest is a growth industry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconian Guppy Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 You can bet on it. Enviro-whacko protest is a growth industry. Agreed, but we also have to agree that there are issues as pointed above with fracking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 16, 2014 Author Share Posted September 16, 2014 The article indicates issues with extraction, not fracking. Two different things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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