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!