The Rendering №10

The article “Australian scientists find excess greenhouse gas near Fracking” was published in The Los Angeles Times on November, 17. It discusses that environmental researchers have detected excess greenhouse gas levels near the site of Australia's biggest coal seam gas field. The author Carol J. Williams pointed out that the reported findings of methane, carbon dioxide and other compounds at more than three times normal background levels. There are signs that have stirred new controversy in eastern Australia over the pros and cons of boosting natural gas output by "fracking," a process that blasts sand, water and chemicals into deep underground wells.

Analyzing the situation the findings, though still pending peer review before publication, could influence the scope and pace of a planned expansion of coal seam gas fracking as envisioned in a white paper issued this week. The reporter pointed out that health authorities and opponents of the plans to expand fracking have called on the governments of Queensland and New South Wales to determine greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere in areas slated for new wells before they are drilled, to provide a baseline for comparison with air quality after the underground seams are fractured. It is an open secret that because widespread elevated levels, scientists need for baseline studies so they can determine whether this is due to the coal seam gas operations or not.

It is mentioned that the findings showed greenhouse gases at levels even higher than in Russia's massive Siberian gas fields, where environmental protection has been minimal.  The correspondent told about rising complaints of rashes, nausea, headaches and nose bleeds among people living close to the Tara gas fields. It is necessary to make stress that residents of rural Queensland were initially enthusiastic about the prospects of coal seam fracking bringing jobs and revenue to their state when political leaders began touting the practice about seven years ago.

In conclusion Carol J. Williams makes clear that concerns about fracking's consequences for air and water quality have been rising, though, as farmers complain of a dropping water table and piles of debris left behind by the drilling and extraction operations. As for me, I think that this problem is very important and actual. I hope that scientists will find the solution and make this part of Australia more safe.