Contamination? What Contamination?!?

The report mentioned in the previous post, conducted by Robert Jackson (http://www.pnas.org/content/108/20/8172.long), seems to provide damning evidence of methane groundwater contamination in close proximity to fracking wells. A claim strenuously denied by the operators of the fracking wells. The report has also been subject to criticism from some members of the scientific community. The particular critique is in relation to the number of groundwater samples used for the report. The general feeling is that not enough samples were taken and samples weren't taken repeatedly over a sustained period of time. There is also documented evidence of natural methane occurring in drinking water in the Pennsylvania area dating back to records from the 1800's.

So as you can gather, like so many of the key issues related to fracking, there is no clear-cut answer.

Furthermore, the threat of groundwater contamination is not just in the form of methane. There have recently been studies in the threat from  harmful constituents of fracking fluid leaching away from drilling sites and entering potable water supplies.  There have been over 1000 documentaed cases of  neurological, gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms ascribed to the ingestion of tainted drinking water. This surely highlights the need for further research, independant of the energy companies, into all aspects of fracking related contamination. It also highlights the blatant discrepancy between narratives from residents and those from the large energy companies.

For more information on groundwater contamionation:

Information on fracking fluid constituents-(http://dangersoffracking.com/)

Information on documented cases of water contamination-(http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/amall/incidents_where_hydraulic_frac.html)

BBC Horizon documentary, Dr Iain Stewart speaks to residents in the Marcellus area affected by pollution- (http://youtu.be/v02pX-lBp0g)

The effects of this 'groundwater contamination' has been undeniably felt by the residents of Pennsylvania and elswhere in America. There has been public outcry from many communities affected by the recent fracking boom, sparking many protest groups in response. I feel that these groups are not without foundation.

One such group -and there are many- is the Shale Gas Outrage organisation (http://shalegasoutrage.org/) who are calling for a universal moratorium on fracking.

Iris Marie Bloom, Executive Director of Protecting Our Waters and lead organizer, Shale Gas Outrage had this to say:

“As the impacted people with fouled water, polluted air and threatened livelihoods have shown today, shale gas drilling is inherently contaminating. Families should not be forced to live with such dangers and health impacts. The best way to stem the tide of displacement, degraded ecosystems and climate catastrophe is to stop fracking now and divest our support from extreme fossil fuel extraction. We are taking the morally responsible position, out of necessity, for our government has turned a deaf ear to these vital concerns,”  

 

Although cases of groundwater contamination may be site-specific and potentially caused by poor management of the borehole and associated drilling pipeline, the effects on local communities are undeniable. Many residents are left feeling exploited and vulnerable. With further socio-economic issues such as noise pollution, falling house prices and foul odours emanating from the fracking wells...would you want fracking in your back garden?