Fracking chemicals enter the groundwater

The use of fracking (hydraulic fracturing) for crude oil and natural gas production is now relatively widespread in the US - despite fears of contaminated drinking water and other environmental risks. A recent study by scientists from Pennsylvania State University now shows that the fracking chemicals used are also detectable in near-surface groundwater.

Last year, US researchers led by Thomas Darraha of Ohio State University (Columbus) had already detected volatile gases in eight drinking water wells near fracking sites. However, the connection with fracking was insufficiently clarified. In the current study, scientists from Pennsylvania State University have now used gas chromatography to analyze the detectable compounds in the groundwater over a fracking site, including the solvent 2-butoxyethanol. The burden is also believed to be related to a leak in the pit's wastewater catchment basin and other safety deficiencies, the researchers write in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences..

Possible contamination of drinking water?
Critics of the fracking see the current study results as a clear evidence of possible contamination of groundwater with fracking chemicals. Whether the chemical compounds came into the groundwater due to inadequate safety precautions or generally ascend via small fractures in the rock towards the surface can not be said from the study results. Since several times groundwater pollution has been detected near fracking mines, the general context is hardly to be dismissed here. The critical attitude towards fracking therefore seems quite appropriate, especially since further risks, such as effects on tectonics, have not been finally clarified. (fp) Proof: Dominik Pöpping