write a 750-1500 word paper, as
outlined below on: FRACKING (HYDRAULIC FRACTURING) AND TAR SANDS (OIL SANDS).

Project

Written Assignment:
Biology and Technology in the Real World

Addresses course
outcomes 1-4:

– recognize and
explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems

– make observations
and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations

– weigh evidence and
make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and
the scientific method

– use knowledge of
biological principles, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to
ask relevant questions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments,
interpret results, and draw conclusions

1. Select one of the
topics listed below.

2. Find at least two
information sources related to the topic. You can find assistance with
searching for articles at the UMUC Library Subject Guides at
http://libguides.umuc.edu/science.

3. Write a 750-1500
word paper, excluding references and title page. You must read the information
sources that you find and summarize the information in your own words,
addressing each of the questions and expectations for your chosen topic.
Extensive quotes from the article are discouraged. Use APA style for citing
references.

FRACKING (HYDRAULIC
FRACTURING) AND TAR SANDS (OIL SANDS).

With society’s
dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels, the oil & gas industry is turning
to the use of hydraulic fracturing and tar (oil) sands to extract natural gas
and oil respectively. A friend asks you
“What’s all this controversy in the news about fracking and tar
sands?” Briefly explain to your
friend how hydraulic fracturing and tar (oil) sands are used to obtain these
fossil fuels. Then, in more detail, describe the environmental problems that
may result from these processes and why they are controversial. Issues that may
be addressed involves, but are not limited to, water, air and soil pollution,
effects on human health, effects on other species and natural ecosystems.
Finally, give your opinions on possible solutions to these environmental
problems, with your reasoning backed by the references that you studied. The
following websites from EPA may be helpful:
http://www2.epa.gov/hydraulicfracturing