What are the potential environmental problems associated with oil shale extraction?
Oil shale extraction has historically been known to affect the surface land, the air and the water surrounding the extraction site. Potential problems include affects on runoff patterns; “spent shale” which must be disposed of; emissions of CO2, sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide; and contamnation of groundwater. The majority of these problems stem from ex-situ processes and will be eliminated through operating in-situ, as is AMSO’s plan. New technologies used in commercial mining and chemical processing industries will be effective in cleaning air and reclaiming land.
