kamsc webquest fossil fuels and air pollution

fossil fuels

non renewable energy resources made from decomposing plants and animals

natural gas

fossil fuel with the least emissions, found alongside petroleum

contribute to air pollution, can cause mini earthquakes

natural gas cons (2)

Affordable and dependable

natural gas pros (2)

electricity

natural gas main use

Coal

A fossil fuel that forms underground from partially decomposed plant material

combustion process releases air pollutants, mines can be a source of acidic water

disadvantages to coal (2)

electricity

main use of coal

petroleum

liquid fossil fuel usually found with natural gas - crude oil

drilling process can disturb local ecosystems, industry releases methane emissions

disadvantages to petroleum (2)

transportation

main use of petroleum

40

how many years until natural gas runs out

hydraulic fracturing (fracking)

a type of drilling where liquid is pumped into a well to crack the rock that the gas in contained in in order to release the gas

30

years until petroleum runs out

70

years until coal runs out

vertical drilling

wells are drilled directly down to the earth and into the rock formations that hold natural gas

horizontal drilling

a flexible drill bit allowing for curved wells to be drilled

clean energy act

US attempt at minimizing air pollution

air pollutants

substances in the atmosphere harmful to human health and the environment

contributes to global warming, harms humans respiratory system

negative impacts of air pollution (2)

nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, sulfer dioxide, lead, ozone, particulate matter

epa criteria air pollutants

underground mining

mining for coal below the 200 ft mark

surface mining

process of extracting coal from deposits using large machinery 200 ft or less below the surface