Life Sciences Commons^™

Study Of Microbial Load In Water Samples From Hydraulic Fracturing Adjacent Streams, Anthony W. Ruocco

Senior Projects Spring 2023

Hydraulic Fracturing, also known as “fracking,” is an oil and gas extraction method in which a mix of water, sand, and chemicals are shot at high pressures into subterranean areas. This process has the potential to not only damage landscapes and impact wildlife, but also to pollute groundwater and surface water, as well as streams. Water collected near fracking sites may show the effects of hydraulic fracturing on microbial communities, and examination of bacterial growth can possibly give indication of habitat degradation or the effect of inorganic compounds introduced by the hydraulic fracturing process. Samples collected by a Jude Lab …