Fuel Types and Uses Practice Test

Massive SO$_2$ emissions during drilling, because sulfur is a primary component of shale gas and oxidizes immediately upon contact with air.

Ocean acidification near wells, because fracking fluids dissolve into seawater even when drilling occurs far inland.

Large mercury emissions at the wellhead, because fracking directly releases mercury vapor that forms during methane cracking underground.

Potential groundwater contamination and induced seismicity, because fracking uses high-pressure fluids and wastewater injection that can affect subsurface systems.