Hydraulic fracturing can release which pollutants?

Hydraulic fracturing can release which pollutants?

• A. Groundwater contamination
• B. Increased crop yields
• C. Volatile organic compounds
• D. No environmental impact

Answer: (C)

Volatile organic compounds are the pollutants most directly released by hydraulic fracturing. The fluids used in fracking and the hydrocarbons that come up with the well fluid contain organic compounds. During operation, some of these compounds can escape as vapors or remain dissolved in the produced water. VOCs readily evaporate into the air at typical surface temperatures, can travel with air or migrate through groundwater under certain conditions, and include substances like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, which are harmful to health and contribute to air pollution and smog. So when asked which pollutants fracking can release, VOCs are the correct category. Groundwater contamination can occur as a consequence, but the pollutants themselves being released are the volatile organic compounds. Increased crop yields and no environmental impact do not describe pollutants released by fracking.

Volatile organic compounds are the pollutants most directly released by hydraulic fracturing. The fluids used in fracking and the hydrocarbons that come up with the well fluid contain organic compounds. During operation, some of these compounds can escape as vapors or remain dissolved in the produced water. VOCs readily evaporate into the air at typical surface temperatures, can travel with air or migrate through groundwater under certain conditions, and include substances like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, which are harmful to health and contribute to air pollution and smog. So when asked which pollutants fracking can release, VOCs are the correct category. Groundwater contamination can occur as a consequence, but the pollutants themselves being released are the volatile organic compounds. Increased crop yields and no environmental impact do not describe pollutants released by fracking.