Abby CoppingerThat is the conclusion of an extensive, peer-reviewed study led by Duke University and funded by the National Resources Defense Fund (NRDC). The environmental group suspected hydraulic fracturing (fracking) posed a significant threat to groundwater aquifers. However, the results proved just the opposite:
“All the samples fell within the clean water range and they did not find any changes over time either in any of our homes during the time series of fracking.”
“We never saw a significant increase in methane concentration after a fracking well was drilled.”
Samples that were collected that were high in methane “clearly did not have a natural gas source.”
“Some of our highest observed methane concentrations were not near a fracking well at all.”
“There was no significant change in methane concentration over time, even as more and more natural gas wells were drilled in the area.”
Unlike previous studies, this one included the use of integrated tracers – a far more sensitive methodology developed by Duke University scientists. These isotopic tracers gave researchers the ability to distinguish between naturally occurring sources of natural gas and salt contaminants and those originating from man-made activities.
The 3-year study – which included water samples from 112 drinking water wells, and baseline sampling from 20 wells – provides irrefutable results that run contrary to the NRDC’s anti-fracking stance. To view the full study, click here.
Many previous scientific studies have also found that fracking caused no perceptible threat to groundwater supplies. See a few of them here:
5-year, EPA study: https://energyindepth.org/national/epa-finalized-groundwater- report-reinforces-no-widespread-systemic-impacts-from-fracking/
Wyoming study: https://energyindepth.org/mtn-states/new-research-shows-yet- again-that-fracking-did-not-contaminate-water-in-pavilion-wyoming/
Fracking waste water study: https://phys.org/news/2016-10-fracking-wastewater-brines-man-made-fluids.html