Final answer:
The fracking process can cause minor earthquakes due to alteration of seismic stability, and methane leaks during drilling contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Fracking fluids contain hazardous chemicals that can lead to environmental and health concerns if not managed correctly.
Step-by-step explanation:
One environmental drawback of the fracking process for extracting natural gas, apart from the significant water usage, is the risk of induced seismic activity or minor earthquakes. These events occur because the process can alter the seismic stability of an area. Although industry companies often downplay this, the alteration of subsurface structures through the high-pressure injection of fracking fluids can lead to an increase in seismic events, which might not be destructive but are of concern for people living in the affected areas and for the integrity of the subsurface geological structures.
Another notable environmental issue is the potential for methane leaks. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that can escape into the atmosphere during the drilling and extraction process. Methane has a much higher impact on global warming compared to carbon dioxide in the short term, making its management critical to mitigating climate change.
Lastly, fracking fluid residuals can pose environmental challenges. These fluids may contain hazardous chemicals that, if not properly managed, can lead to soil contamination and may negatively affect both local ecosystems and human health. Components such as hydrochloric acid and petroleum distillates are examples of substances in fracking fluid that carry these risks.