In: Chemistry
Describe hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) for the recovery of natural gas. Include how it’s done and the environmental benefits and drawbacks to fracking.
Hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” is a process that involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals under high pressure into a bedrock formation via the well. This process is done to form fractures in the rock as well as increase the size, extent, and connectivity of existing fractures. Hydraulic fracturing is used commonly in low-permeability rocks like tight sandstone, shale, and some coal beds to increase oil and/or gas flow to a well from petroleum-bearing rock formations. When the hydraulic pressure is removed from the well, small grains of hydraulic fracturing proppants hold the fractures open.
The advantages of hydraulic fracturing are less carbon emission, boom in economy and increasing employment.
The various drawbacks of hydraulic fracturing are risks of groundwater contamination, air pollution, noise pollution, and the triggering of earthquakes, along with the hazards to public health and the environment.