Connor Brooke
The practice of fracking (hydraulic fracturing) has created some horrendous environmental conditions in areas where it has been implemented. Fracking has also produced a large amount of oil and gas, making it a big money prospect for gas companies.
In an attempt to make the process safer for citizens, and better for the environment, scientists at MIT and the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, have developed new technology that could lessen the environmental effects of fracking.
The new approach involves filtering out water through multiple stages of electrodialysis, a process that uses electrical charges to pull salt through a membrane.
While the water from the process would not be drinkable, it would reduce or even eliminate the need for fresh water beyond an initial supply. That would mean oil and gas wells wouldn’t deprive local communities of nearly as much drinking and farming water. Fracturing companies would also not have the need to dispose of nearly as much contaminated liquids.
At this time the process has not been tested in a real-world situation. There are still concerns that the membrane used in the process might not hold up to oil and gas traces.
Even if scientists are able to create a strengthened membrane, fracking is still an awful solution for drilling efforts. Environmentalists have pointed to airborne emissions, and land consumption as just two of the downfalls associated with fracking projects.
At this time scientists are simply working to reduce the environmental effects of fracking, while many communities have taken active steps to restrict the practice in their regions.
Do you think the practice of Fracking should be stopped until an environmentally safe solution is found?
This article was written for Business 2 Community by Connor Brooke.
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