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Methane threat to drinking water

Nature (2011)Cite this article

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Fracturing rock to extract natural gas boosts methane in nearby water wells.

A controversial method of extracting natural gas from shale rock formations significantly increases methane concentrations in drinking water taken from wells nearby, suggests the latest study by US environmental scientists. The findings come just as a moratorium on the practice in one US state is due to expire, and are likely to stoke the public debate.

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References

  1. Osborn, S. G., Vengosh, A., Warner, N. R. & Jackson, R. B. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA doi:10.1073/pnas.1100682108 (2011).

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  1. Sid Perkins
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US Energy Information Administration

US Environmental Protection Agency’s draft plan to study the impacts of fracking on water quality

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Perkins, S. Methane threat to drinking water. Nature (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/news.2011.278

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/news.2011.278

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