Apes biomass notes 6b (slide show 1)

Biomass

Organic matter that is burned to release heat, primarily used in developing countries for heat and cooking.

Advantages of Biomass

Easy to harvest, cheap, and readily available.

Other Uses of Biomass

Can be burned in power plants to generate electricity, though less common.

Examples of Biomass

Wood, Charcoal, Manure, Dead organic material.

Carbon Difference - Biomass vs Fossil Fuels

Biomass releases modern carbon (recently sequestered CO2), fossil fuels release fossil carbon (millions of years old). Biomass is considered carbon neutral.

Human Health Risks of Biomass Burning

Releases CO, NOx, Particulate Matter, VOCs, which are respiratory irritants.

Indoor Biomass Burning Effects

Worsens asthma, bronchitis, COPD, emphysema, eye irritation.

Environmental Consequences of Biomass Burning

Deforestation, habitat loss, soil erosion, reduced CO2 sequestration, air pollution, smog formation.

Biofuels Definition

Corn and sugarcane are fermented into ethanol and mixed with gasoline (E85 or flex fuel, 51-83% ethanol).

Advantages of Biofuels

Decreases oil consumption for transportation.

Limitations of Biofuels

Less efficient than gasoline; renewable only if corn growth is sustainable.

Environmental Consequences of Biofuels

Monocrop agriculture causes soil erosion, habitat loss, GHG release, water use, competition with food crops.

Algae as Biofuel

Algae can be used to produce oil for biofuels.

Plant Oils for Liquid Fuels

Soy, canola, and palm oil can produce liquid biofuels.

Issues with Palm Oil Biodiesel

Mass clearcutting can produce more greenhouse gases than fossil fuels.

Active Solar Energy

Uses mechanical/electrical equipment to capture heat (e.g., solar water heaters, PV cells).

Passive Solar Energy

Absorbs sunlight without mechanics; includes solar ovens and building designs that optimize heat absorption/blocking.

Passive Solar vs Active Solar

Passive absorbs heat naturally; Active uses devices like pumps or fans to distribute heat.

Photovoltaic Cells

Photons strike a semiconductor, creating electron flow, producing electricity.

PV Cells Uses

Power buildings directly or send electricity back to the grid (requires battery for night use).

Drawback of PV Cells

Intermittency – only generate electricity during the day.

Concentrated Solar Thermal

Mirrors focus sunlight onto a central tower to heat water into steam that turns turbines.

Drawbacks of Concentrated Solar Thermal

Super hot rays can be dangerous; habitat destruction.

Pros of Solar Power

Renewable, no air pollution during electricity generation, no fossil fuel mining needed.

Cons of Solar Power

Silicon mining needed, habitat disruption, limited semiconductor resources.