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Mining and Fracking in Wisconsin. Michael Montenero , Jeremiah Morrissey, Mera Yi. Long Mining History in WI. 1200 BC Copper 1680s Lead 1850s Zinc 1960-90s Gold, Silver and other Metallics Recently Oil Shale, Taconite and Quartz Sand . Gogebic Taconite Mining . - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Mining and Fracking in Wisconsin
Michael Montenero, Jeremiah Morrissey, Mera Yi
Long Mining History in WI1200 BC Copper1680s Lead 1850s Zinc 1960-90s Gold, Silver and other MetallicsRecently Oil Shale, Taconite and Quartz Sand
Gogebic Taconite Mining Low Grade (20-30%) v High Grade (50-70%)
Must be concentrated and processed into pellets firstProcess:
Large amount of waste rock removed from iron ore deposits
Mixed with large volume of water, separated by magnets
Mix of water waste dumped into basin (sulfides that react with water and oxygen creating acid)
Hydraulic FracturingRounded, almost
pure quartz neededAdvantages:
Economy,Natural gas
Disadvantages: Health and Environmental Impacts
Fast expansion 2010 5 mines 2011 16 mines, 25
proposed 2012 60-80 mines, 20
proposed Low demand; possible
overseas shipments
What Makes Fracking Fluid Bad?
Up to 600 chemicals are used in fracking fluid such as lead, uranium, mercury, radium, and methanol.
How Do Contaminations from Fracking Get into the Environment?
Chemical leakage from wells during the process gets into nearby ground water.
Mishandling of fluid waste evaporates and releases harmful VOC’s into the atmosphere.
What does this Impact? Humans. Chemicals leak into drinking water and go unnoticed to
the naked eye. The chemicals also do not smell abnormal.
Fracking requires a lot of water in the processes.
Fracking well pads are much larger than conventional oil and gas drilling pads. These well pads can fragment forests and impact other habitats.
Why Fracking and Farming Don’t Mix
Fracking farm land has the potential to disrupt farming productivity, endanger livestock health and affect produce and livestock quality. It presents a huge danger to our food supply. Fracking chemicals contaminate the soil. The plants absorb the toxins and these plants are being consumed by animals which lead to build-up of toxins in the food chain.
Fracking study: Gordalla et al. 2013
3 German fracking sitesFracking fluid and flowbackCompared to ground, drinking water standardsPossible spill scenariosAlternatives and Recommendations
Composition of fracking fluid
What’s pumped into the ground
Water, sand or ceramic, chemicals1.3-3% chemical
Not hazardous levels, but too high for drinking
Some chemicals have unknown effects, safe levels for drinking water
If fracking fluid leaked…Study assessed likely amount to leak before noticed
Accidents are pretty unpredictableUp to 1:103-105 dilution required for initial fracking
fluidUp to 1:106 dilution required for flowback
Hydrocarbons, especially PAHs
What can be done?Safer alternatives available
“Environmentally friendly” gel agents, biocides, etc.
May even be cheaper!Fracking indicatorsFlowback worse than fluid
Pick up hydrocarbons, heavy metals from below
RecommendationsSwitch to more environmentally friendly additivesKeep flowback in secure, closed systemsKeep a distance from wells and drinking water
facilities
Gordalla, Birgit C., Ulrich Ewers, and Fritz H. Frimmel. "Hydraulic Fracturing: A Toxicological Threat for Groundwater and Drinking-Water?" Environmental Earth Sciences 70.8 (2013): 3875-93. Print.
Questions?Thank you!