UW-Parkside Hosts April Science Night

Wednesday, April 10, UW-Parkside will present the next installment of Science Night at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Cinema. Guest speaker Dr. Daniel S. Alessi will present “What the frack are you worried about? The risks and benefits of hydraulic fracturing.”

The recent application of hydraulic fracturing to recover hydrocarbons from tight geologic formations has revolutionized the energy scene in North America and beyond. However, the process and related operations come with considerable environmental concerns. 

In this talk, Dr. Alessi will describe the process of hydraulic fracturing and then review facts and misconceptions about the risks and benefits of fracturing operations. He will discuss ongoing research efforts that he leads at the University of Alberta to improve the hydraulic fracturing water cycle, including aspects of water sourcing, handling, treatment, and reuse.

Dr. Daniel S. Alessi is an associate professor and the Encana Chair in Water Resources at the University of Alberta. He is an expert in low-temperature geochemistry and geomicrobiology, and specializes in the interaction of metals with environmental surfaces. 

Since 2013, his group has investigated the water cycle in hydraulic fracturing, with a focus on the impacts of activities related to the process on aquifers, soils and aquatic ecosystems. Dr. Alessi graduated from the geology program at University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 2000, and was recently named a Petro-Canada Young Innovator.

Free parking is available after 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited and refreshments will be provided.