Skip to content

Health

Methane-contaminated drinking water confirmed near fracking wells

by Martin Leggett 09 May 2011
Methane-contaminated drinking water confirmed near fracking wells

The dramatic scenes of tap water that can be set aflame - seen in the shale gas fracking documentary, Gasland – were anything but an attention-grabbing stunt. Scientists from Duke University, North Carolina, have found methane at 17 times the natural background levels, for water wells close to sites where shale gas is being extracted. And careful analysis ties the origin of the flammable gas directly back to individual gas wells, says the research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Worries about the environmental problems of hydraulic fracturing , or 'fracking' - a drilling process used to extract underground natural gas from impenetrable shales - snowballed following the release of the film in 2010. As well as concerns about the chemicals used in the shale fracturing process, its greenhouse gas emissions and the disposal of waste drilling waters, many residents close to shale gas drilling sites have complained of methane dissolved in water from their water wells.

In order to pin down these claims, the team from Duke University looked at water samples from the wells of 68 homes in Pennsylvania and New York. They checked the water's methane levels, and also looked its isotopic composition. Methane that has come from a source deep underground has a different isotopic profile to that formed nearer the surface. Their results showed that for those living close to a fracking well, levels of methane were significantly higher - and the methane's profile fitted that of samples taken directly from the gas well.

One of the paper's authors, Stephen Osborn, said ''We found measurable amounts of methane in 85 percent of the samples, but levels were 17 times higher on average in wells located within a kilometer of active hydrofracking sites.'' Coauthor Professor Robert B. Jackson went on to say ''When we compared the dissolved gas chemistry in well water to methane from local gas wells, the signatures matched.''

The health consequences of having high levels of methane in tap water are unknown - methane is not even controlled under the EPA's drinking water regulations. But the confirmation that fracking for shale gas is contaminating water supplies shows that more research is needed - and adds to the growing list of problems with fracking.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping