Hydraulic Fracturing And Its Effects On Water Quality

Introduction The United States has experienced an oil and gas renaissance in the recent decade thanks to technological advances closing loopholes in fracking policies will improve water quality, solutions to loop holes technical and policy solutions. Background Hydro fracking is the process of drilling a well vertically into the ground, then drilling a horizontal well off of the vertical well and injecting fluids which consist of water and between three and twelve chemicals. These chemicals are injected underground at high pressures to crack open shale rock and release natural gas or oil trapped which may be trapped in the rock. This then allows the natural gas or oil to flow to the surface where it can then be collected (Prud homme†¦show more content†¦The first attempt to use hydraulic fracturing in a well took place in the Hugoton gas field in Grant County, Kansas in 1947. Many experiments were performed after this but in the 1970’s the federal government started the Eastern Gas Shales Project due to the energy crisis of 1973 (Prud homme 2013). In 1980, one year after the second energy crisis of 1979, Congress passed the Windfall Profits Tax Act, which created a tax credit for unconventional gas; this tax credit spurre d the growth of shale hydro fracking and has made what hydraulic fracturing is today. There are commonly two types of wells, conventional well which are drilled straight down and hydraulic fracturing wells both types of wells start out in similar ways. Once a drill pad has been built and the equipment is in place, the First step is to drill a vertical well into a layer of shale. These vertical wells are usually 3,280 feet or 0.62 of a mile beneath the surface to put this in to perspective it would be like drilling down into the earth the length of nine American football fields (Prud homme 2013). This depth can vary depending on location, geology and stage of drilling. Some wells may range anywhere from 5,000 to 9,000 feet deep. A set length of steel pipe is inserted in to the well soon after the drilling begins. This steel pipe is called the conductor

Unhealthy America Free Essays

American is supposed to be the strongest nation in the world however we have managed to grasp the largest and most unhealthy nation trophy along with it. Americans care more about how quickly they can grab a meal rather than what that meals consists of and how bad the food is for the body. Americans are becoming increasingly unhealthy with every meal they consume. We will write a custom essay sample on Unhealthy America or any similar topic only for you Order Now My aunt went on a trip to Greece recently where she says the food was exquisite and utterly delicious. While she was crashing a Greek wedding she got to experience some of the traditional food. She said the meats were fall off the bone tender with more explosive tastes than her taste buds could handle. She said the salad was a rainbow of green lettuce with mixed with reds of all colors for tomatoes. She produced a tiny bottle that once was full of homemade Greek salad dressing that the mother of the bride had made especially for her daughter’s perfect day. She recalled how immaculate the food was saying specifically she had never seen such amazing foods in America and wished she could bring the cooks back with her. She later told me that when she got back to the states, she realized just how bad she ate before she went on her trip and she sees more clearly now just how unhealthy Americans really are. Her story prompted me to step back and look closer at how we as a nation choses what we are eating. I took my son to the grocery store to get food for the next couple weeks. I made all of his food myself instead of buying processed baby food because I know it is much healthier for him and it makes me think about what I eat. While we were in the fruits and vegetables isle, I noticed we were one of three people shopping in this area while the rest of the market place was packed with people. With the previous conversation stuck in my head, I decided to look around at what others were purchasing around me. I spotted a woman with a shopping cart mounding over with food. The looks of her cart reminded me of a contest I watched on TV where the mom got 5 minutes to get as much stuff as she could and by the end of her 5 minutes her cart was overflowing with stuff. As I watch her carefully choose what she was placing in her cart I realized we were in the frozen foods section. She was staring at a glass door intensely. Behind that glass door sat probably 20 different variations of ice cream. While this stranger and her overweight daughter discussed the options together, I watched her pick up two different one gallon containers of ice cream. One container had chocolate swirls throughout the off white vanilla ice cream and the other had the same chocolate swirls accompanied by pink strawberry swirls. I could hear her daughter asking for one kind and her mother saying she wanted the other kind. So instead of having to choose between the two different gallons of ice cream, she placed both containers in her already overflowing cart. I could sense both of their insulin levels increasing as they began to walk away with their prized frozen treats. While I was standing in the isle with this mother-daughter duo, I was able to get a good look at what they had stuffed in to their cart. I saw several blue boxes of Mac-N-Cheese paired with packages of processed animal intestines otherwise known as hotdogs. I could count six boxes of Hamburger Helper and each one a different variation but all boxes had the detail in bold of being doubly cheesy. I would think that a box of processed food that only needs to have water added to it is not the healthiest meal a mother could make for her child. I also spotted a couple 12 packs of various types of soda. I saw short green soda containers of individual bottles of Mountain Dew placed neatly on the side wall of her cart. Thinking to myself I remembered something I read saying that Mountain Dew has the most sodium per bottle than any other soda drink in the business. I came to the conclusion that my aunt was right. We as a nation are not only eating unhealthy but teaching our children to do the same as well. After leaving the grocery store with our fruit and veggies in hand, I decide to stop at fast food restaurant to grab a salad for lunch. While in line the person ahead of me places his order. The young lady taking his order is a very short woman with a very wide stance. As he gives his order I recount the experience that I had just had, watching this stranger and her daughter purchase mass quantities of food that were processed and extremely unhealthy. The gentleman tells the cashier he would like a Quarter Pounder with cheese. He asks for an extra slice of cheese, extra pickles and no lettuce or tomato. While the young lady quickly punches thing in to her computer screen to detail the order to his specific wants, he also adds that he would like to supersize his meal and requests a fresh batch of French fries. In my head, still reeling from my conversation with my aunt, I thought about how much grease this man is going to eat in just his lunch sitting. The woman waddled over to the fryers that were full of what looked like grease that had not been changed in a week, pulled out a new bag of frozen French fries, filled the container full of them and slid them in to the hot, boiling grease to cook. With his order being made, I couldn’t help but to think of all of the calories in his meal that he was getting ready to devour. He stepped aside waiting on his food and I placed my order for a grilled salmon salad with no dressing. I quickly realized our two orders couldn’t be more on the opposite sides of the nutrition chart as his meal was nothing but fat and grease and mine containing lettuce, fish, cheese and tomatoes. Another stranger opting to eat absolutely nothing good for them. As I sit down to enjoy my salad I look around and see the meals of others in the restaurant. I take out a package of already cut up bite size pieces of peaches for my son to each since he is only 7 months old. Trying to be inconspicuous, I look at the table next to me. A mother and her two young children are sitting, enjoying their lunches. The mother had a cheeseburger with so much ketchup running out of the sides you would think there was more ketchup that meat. Her youngest son had a 10 piece chicken nugget meal. The nuggets were obviously fried but the meat inside was a strange color of grey leading me to believe it was imitation meat. The little boy devoured each nugget only after carefully dipping each one of the nuggets in to a tub of barbeque sauce, making sure to lather each inch of the nugget to his desired amount. The oldest boy had the same fried, strangely grey food but was dipping his nuggets in to ketchup. In my head I couldn’t help but to sum up their lunch as to being fried fat and fried imitation meat, all lathered in a sodium filled dipping sauce. I quickly finished my meal and headed for the door. I had set my mind that I would not be like that mother, teaching her sons that eating unhealthy was acceptable. As I started putting away my groceries, I also started riding my cupboards and refrigerator from anything processed. It was clear to me that the word unhealthy was quickly becoming our nation’s primary adjective. As I reflect on my conversation with my aunt and the experiences I had with the unknowing strangers I watched purposely chose fatty, processed, fried and ultimately the most unhealthy foods possible, I realized obesity is not just a term used to define a plus size individual but a growing epidemic that is quickly spreading across our great nation. Unhealthy Americans are more prominent in society today and the growing trend does not look to be slowing down any time soon. How to cite Unhealthy America, Papers

Animal Symbolism in A Dolls House Essay Example For Students

Animal Symbolism in A Dolls House Essay In Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House, and Franz Kafkas The Metamorphosis, animal symbolism is used to describe the protagonists and their relationships within their families. However, both authors use animal symbolism in different methods to exemplify these relationships; while Ibsen uses nicknames to describe Torvalds condescending view of Nora, Kafka uses a transformation to show how Gregor has turned into the person he is inside. Both authors use these methods to clearly demonstrate the characters personalities and characteristics, they way they are viewed by their loved ones, and how they interact with other people. In A Dolls House, we get a clear picture of Noras daughter-father relationship with her husband, Torvald, through the use of belittling animal nicknames, which he seems to think suit her. Throughout the play, we find Nora acting like a child; she secretly takes macaroons, she constantly begs Torvald for money, and she shows off to her friend, Kristine Linde. These are characteristics typically seen in children, and Torvald exemplifies these characteristics in her by calling her nicknames such as my little skylark, (Ibsen 1), and my little squirrel, (Ibsen 2). In The Metamorphosis, Kafka uses a transformation to reveal Gregors personality. We will write a custom essay on Animal Symbolism in A Dolls House specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now In the beginning of the story, we find Gregor waking up in bed as a cockroach. Gregor locked himself in his room the previous night, indicating that he has a cowardly nature, as do insects. When the chief clerk from Gregors work comes to talk to him, we find out that his work ethics are poor, indicating that he is lazy. For some time past your work has been most unsatisfactory. (Kafka 77). Since he still lives with his parents, we can assume that he is not able to look after himself, although he is the breadwinner of the family; though he is supplying his family with an income, he is not able to stand on his own two feet and live in a house of his own while supporting his family. Gregor expresses his discontent with his job and his lifestyle when he says If I didnt have to hold my hand because of my parents Id have given notice long ago, (Kafka 68-69). In these ways, the characteristics of Nora and Gregor are revealed through the use of animal symbolism. Animal symbolism is also used to illustrate the relationships between the protagonists and their families. By calling Nora by affectionately belittling names, Torvald evokes her helplessness and her dependence on him. The only time that Torvald calls Nora by her actual name is when he is scolding her after he finds out that she illegally borrowed money from Krogstad. When he is greeting or adoring her, however, he calls her by childish animal nicknames, such as skylark and my little song-bird, (Ibsen 31). By using such diminutive names, Torvald not only asserts his power over Nora but also dehumanizes her to a great degree. When he implies that Nora is comparable to the little birds that like to fritter money, Torvald suggests that Nora lacks the ability to deal properly with financial matters. This indicates a sexist attitude towards Nora, which furthers the father-daughter relationship they obtain. However, Gregor faces a different torment. After his family sees that he has turned into a cockroach, his mother shuns him, and his father beats him. Gregors sister seems to try to help him at first; however, we later find that she considers him a burden on the family and wants him to leave. When Torvald receives the letter stating that he and Nora will be safe, his change in attitude marks the antithesis of their parent-child relationship. Before he receives the letter, Torvald is furious with Nora for illegally borrowing money from Krogstad, even though it was used to save his life. Similarly, before Gregor undergoes the metamorphosis, he is praised as the breadwinner of the family and is treated like a human being. However, after his transformation, he is shunned by his family, and his father abuses him, for he is now useless to the family as he is unable to work. Torvald says Now you have ruined my entire happiness, jeopardized my whole future, (Ibsen 76) expressing his anger towards Nora, as she is no longer his little skylark, but the person who has ruined his life. However, once he reads through the letter, he shouts with joy, exclaiming Nora! Nora! I must read it again. Yes, yes, its true! I am saved! Nora, I am saved! (Ibsen 77). .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7 , .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7 .postImageUrl , .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7 , .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7:hover , .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7:visited , .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7:active { border:0!important; } .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7:active , .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7 .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u881181fc6900ac241f5ce18f399a7bf7:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Leadership Dead poets society EssayBy only referring to himself, he is portraying her insignificance as a woman, and is only concerned about himself. He then proceeds to call her a hunted dove I have rescued unscathed from the cruel talons of the hawk, and calm your poor beating heart. (Ibsen 78) to express that he has saved her, when in fact it is just the opposite. This does not portray how a husband should feel towards his wife, and thus exemplifies the condescending sexist attitude he has towards her. This causes an inner transformation in Nora, as she decides she must leave Torvald in order to come to terms with herself. In The Metamorphosis, Gregors transformation changes how he interacts with his family and how he is treated by his father. However, although he is being shunned by his family, he tries to make them feel comfortable. During the daytime he did not want to show himself at the window, out of consideration for his parents, (Kafka 100). This does not pose a healthy relationship between Gregor and his family, as he is being shunned in spite of his efforts to keep sanity in the house. He is avoiding trouble at all costs; yet, his family will not cease to make him feel like an outsider. The most recurrent relationship we see is one between Gregor and his sister, which turns out to quite different from what it started as. In the beginning of the story, Grete is the only person in the family who makes sure he has food to eat; even his mother doesnt realize that she has left him with no nourishment, and Gregor begins to think that he can only depend on his sister. Later on in the play, however, we find that she truly despises her brother, saying We must try to get rid of it When one has to work as hard as we do, all of us, one cant stand this continual torment at home on top of it. At least I cant stand it any longer. (Kafka 124). This contrasts her former care for her brother, as she cannot bear to look after a bug. He must go. Thats the only solution, Father. You must just try to get rid of the idea that this is Gregor If this were Gregor, he would have realized long ago that human beings cant live with such a creature, and hed have gone away on his own accord. (Kafka 125). Grete has thus turned on her brother, ending their relationship for good. Animal symbolism is used in A Dolls House and The Metamorphosis to portray the characteristics of Nora and Gregor, and to show how they interact with their families, using different methods. While Ibsen uses nicknames to create a father-daughter relationship between Torvald and Nora, Kafka takes a more direct approach by having Gregor physically turn into a cockroach, exemplifying his inner self, and thus affecting his status in his family. However, although both authors use different methods, both are displaying the emotion felt by the protagonists and the journey they take throughout the novels. In this way, they have both used animal symbolism to describe the changes that take place in the protagonists, whether internally or physically, and how they have affected their relationships.