The Shale gas industry strongly resists allegations that fluids used in the fracking process are harmful. New research published in the US "Journal of Environmental Quality" suggests they may be underplaying the dangers of fracking fluids
Dr Mary Beth Adams, a supervisory scientist with the US forestry service, monitored the effects of fracking fluids on a quarter acre plot of forest over a two year period. Among the observed effects of exposure
- Within two days all ground plants were dead;
- Within 10 days, leaves of trees began to turn brown. Within two years more than half of the approximately 150 trees were dead; and
- “Surface soil concentrations of sodium and chloride increased 50-fold as a result of the land application of hydrofracturing fluids…” These elevated levels eventually declined as chemical leached off-site. The exact chemical composition of these fluids is not known because the chemical formula is classified as confidential proprietary information
- "The explosion of shale gas drilling in the East has the potential to turn large stretches of public lands into lifeless moonscapes,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, noting that land disposal of fracking fluids is common and in the case of the Fernow was done pursuant to a state permit. “This study suggests that these fluids should be treated as toxic waste.”
Concerns about gas released by fracking are widespread. Some reserchers believe so much methane is relased from their extraction they have a bigger carbon footprint that coal - a recent "New York Times" investigation raises questions about the economic viability of fracked gas
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