To frack or not to frack? The case of fracking in South
Africa
Fracking is a technique of blasting vast amounts of chemicals, water or sand to crack rock formations
(shale, sandstone, limestone, and carbonite) containing valuable oils and gasses. (Denchak, 2019). In
2012 the South African government lifted its ban on hydraulic fracking in hopes of boosting the
countries economic state (Willems .M, 2016). This essay will explore why fracking is more
detrimental than helpful to South Africa.
The major selling point of fracking is that it was introduced as an eco-friendlier energy source for
the otherwise coal-dependent South Africa (Willems .M, 2016). Fracking provides us with natural
gasses that we can use to displace the use of coal as an energy source thus reducing the emissions of
nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide in particular (Wihbey, 2015). These gasses effect human
respiratory functions so subsequent reduction in their emissions have saved many lives (Wihbey,
2015). This movement away from coal dependence puts us one step closer to relying totally on
sustainable energy sources.
The first of many arguments against fracking is that it is very likely to cause water pollution. Fracking
is a multi-stage process and during any one of those stages oils and gasses trapped in the rocks
might escape and pollute nearby water sources(Davidson, 2018).In a study done by Duke University,
82% of homes over 1km away from fracking stations received water with methane levels 6 times the
average (Wild, 2013). With he already poor water purification facilities in SA it is clear that the health
of even more nearby residents would be compromised by the contamination.
Furthermore, fracking drastically decreases the biodiversity of an area. Fracking in SA occurs mostly
in the biodiversity rich Karoo. Researchers from Bard college have found that fracking releases toxic
radionuclides synthetic chemicals and salts that radically effect surrounding ecosystems by polluting
the air, water and soil subsequently killing flora and fauna (The Conversation, 2017). Additionally,
fracking alters the hydrology of the landscape, effecting marine life. We see that fracking has
extremely detrimental effects on the biodiversity and ecosystems in SA (Truong, 2021).
Finally, fracking has been found to increase seismic activity. The Journal of Science has shown an
undeniable increase of earthquakes in areas where fracking has begun (Boone, 2015) see figure 1.
The pressure caused by fracking on the rocks an often shift and dislodge other rock formations
resulting into tension build up on geological fault lines which can cause earthquakes. earthquakes
damage infrastructure and put many lives at risk, thus increasing the risks associated with fracking.
Africa
Fracking is a technique of blasting vast amounts of chemicals, water or sand to crack rock formations
(shale, sandstone, limestone, and carbonite) containing valuable oils and gasses. (Denchak, 2019). In
2012 the South African government lifted its ban on hydraulic fracking in hopes of boosting the
countries economic state (Willems .M, 2016). This essay will explore why fracking is more
detrimental than helpful to South Africa.
The major selling point of fracking is that it was introduced as an eco-friendlier energy source for
the otherwise coal-dependent South Africa (Willems .M, 2016). Fracking provides us with natural
gasses that we can use to displace the use of coal as an energy source thus reducing the emissions of
nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide in particular (Wihbey, 2015). These gasses effect human
respiratory functions so subsequent reduction in their emissions have saved many lives (Wihbey,
2015). This movement away from coal dependence puts us one step closer to relying totally on
sustainable energy sources.
The first of many arguments against fracking is that it is very likely to cause water pollution. Fracking
is a multi-stage process and during any one of those stages oils and gasses trapped in the rocks
might escape and pollute nearby water sources(Davidson, 2018).In a study done by Duke University,
82% of homes over 1km away from fracking stations received water with methane levels 6 times the
average (Wild, 2013). With he already poor water purification facilities in SA it is clear that the health
of even more nearby residents would be compromised by the contamination.
Furthermore, fracking drastically decreases the biodiversity of an area. Fracking in SA occurs mostly
in the biodiversity rich Karoo. Researchers from Bard college have found that fracking releases toxic
radionuclides synthetic chemicals and salts that radically effect surrounding ecosystems by polluting
the air, water and soil subsequently killing flora and fauna (The Conversation, 2017). Additionally,
fracking alters the hydrology of the landscape, effecting marine life. We see that fracking has
extremely detrimental effects on the biodiversity and ecosystems in SA (Truong, 2021).
Finally, fracking has been found to increase seismic activity. The Journal of Science has shown an
undeniable increase of earthquakes in areas where fracking has begun (Boone, 2015) see figure 1.
The pressure caused by fracking on the rocks an often shift and dislodge other rock formations
resulting into tension build up on geological fault lines which can cause earthquakes. earthquakes
damage infrastructure and put many lives at risk, thus increasing the risks associated with fracking.
