It is really important to note that benzene and toluene are components of BTEX (a banned fracking fluid BUT naturally occurring in coal seams). So these increases in these elements are due to them coming up during the fracking process and entering the aquifers. It is also important to note that they are carcinogenic and also undergo biomagnification. That is, it concentrates as it moves up the food chain. It also crosses the placenta, so biomagnification can begin already in the uterus. Other chemicals/elements come up too, such as uranium which Santos was fined for poisoning an aquifer in NSW with late last year. When we consider that this industry has the potential to contaminate our drinking and food production water, you would think the smart thing would be to ban it, wouldnt you? But wait, theres more! ALL mining results in water tables dropping. Its a simple concept, if you take oil/gas/coal out of the ground, the water seeps down to fill the gaps, and hence the aquifers drop. The Gippsland aquifer is dropping at a rate of 1.1 metres a year since 1975, and shows no sign of stopping. AND that is only due to coal mining and offshore oil/gas mining. What happens when we add unconventional gas mining to the equation? The answer would be, no more water. With the state election just 7 weeks away, make sure you consider who is going to stop this invasive industry from taking hold in Victoria! Karen
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 04:46:29 +0000