Planet Earth
Joseph Yoon
Chapter 11
Fossil Fuels: combustible deposit found with Earth’s curst * Composed of remnants of prehistoric organisms that existed millions of years ago * Deposits are usually no older than 400 million years of age * Nonrenewable resources: finite, limited supply * Types: coal, oil natural gas (methane) * Lignite (lowest quality) * Subbituminous coal * Bituminous coal (sedimentary rock) * Anthracite (highest quality- metamorphic rock)
Coal Reserves * The most abundant fossil fuel in the world * The United States has 25% of the world’s coal reserves * Coal reserves could last about 200 years at the present consumption levels. * Reserves could last upwards of 1000 years if new technology allows us to dig deeper and much more affordably.
Coal
Two Basic types of Coal Mining:
1) Subsurface mining
- 40% of coal mining in US
2) Surface mining
- Including mountaintop removal, strip mining
- 60% of coal mining in US
Hazards:
* Incased risk of cancer * Black lung disease
Environmental Impacts of the Mining Process: * Prior to 1977, most surface mines were abandoned * Leading to water pollution and acid mine drainage * Current law requires all surface mines to be reclaimed * Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977
Environmental Impacts of Burning Coal: * Increases co2 concentration in atmosphere * Releases mercury into the atmosphere * Lower quality coals release sulfur and nitrogen dioxides, causing acid deposition * NOx and SOx
Air Pollution * Various chemicals added to the atmosphere by natural events or human activities in high enough concentrations to be harmful. * Primary air pollutions: are harmful chemicals that enter directly into the atmosphere * Secondary air pollution: are harmful stuff that are around, but not directly into the atmosphere * Major Classes if Air Pollutants * Particulate matter * Nitrogen
Chapter 11
Fossil Fuels: combustible deposit found with Earth’s curst * Composed of remnants of prehistoric organisms that existed millions of years ago * Deposits are usually no older than 400 million years of age * Nonrenewable resources: finite, limited supply * Types: coal, oil natural gas (methane) * Lignite (lowest quality) * Subbituminous coal * Bituminous coal (sedimentary rock) * Anthracite (highest quality- metamorphic rock)
Coal Reserves * The most abundant fossil fuel in the world * The United States has 25% of the world’s coal reserves * Coal reserves could last about 200 years at the present consumption levels. * Reserves could last upwards of 1000 years if new technology allows us to dig deeper and much more affordably.
Coal
Two Basic types of Coal Mining:
1) Subsurface mining
- 40% of coal mining in US
2) Surface mining
- Including mountaintop removal, strip mining
- 60% of coal mining in US
Hazards:
* Incased risk of cancer * Black lung disease
Environmental Impacts of the Mining Process: * Prior to 1977, most surface mines were abandoned * Leading to water pollution and acid mine drainage * Current law requires all surface mines to be reclaimed * Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977
Environmental Impacts of Burning Coal: * Increases co2 concentration in atmosphere * Releases mercury into the atmosphere * Lower quality coals release sulfur and nitrogen dioxides, causing acid deposition * NOx and SOx
Air Pollution * Various chemicals added to the atmosphere by natural events or human activities in high enough concentrations to be harmful. * Primary air pollutions: are harmful chemicals that enter directly into the atmosphere * Secondary air pollution: are harmful stuff that are around, but not directly into the atmosphere * Major Classes if Air Pollutants * Particulate matter * Nitrogen