Environmental consequences of diff. energy types (APES Unit 6)

Fossil Fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)

• Air pollution (CO₂, SO₂, NOₓ, particulate matter) → climate change, smog, acid rain

• Water pollution from oil spills, coal ash, fracking fluids

• Land degradation from mining and drilling

• Habitat destruction and biodiversity loss

Nuclear Energy

• Radioactive waste that remains hazardous for thousands of years

• Risk of accidents (radiation release)

• Thermal pollution from cooling water discharged into rivers/lakes

• Uranium mining impacts (habitat destruction, contamination)

Biomass Energy

• Air pollution from burning (CO₂, particulate matter)

• Deforestation if wood is harvested unsustainably

• Competition with food crops (land and water use)

• Soil nutrient depletion if crop waste is removed

Hydroelectric Power

• Flooding of ecosystems behind dams

• Disruption of fish migration and aquatic habitats

• Sediment buildup behind dams

• Methane emissions from decaying organic matter in reservoir

Wind Energy

• Bird and bat deaths from turbine collisions

• Noise pollution and visual impact

Solar Energy

• Land use impacts for large solar farms

• Toxic chemicals used in panel manufacturing

• Waste disposal issues for old solar panels

• Habitat disruption in desert ecosystems

Geothermal Energy

• Release of underground gases (hydrogen sulfide)

• Water contamination from mineral-rich fluids

• Land subsidence in some areas

• Limited locations where it can be used