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HDC’s comprise of worlds population, but use __ of worlds energy sources
20% and 60%
how is energy consumption broken up into in the US?
42% industry, 33% buildings, and 25% transportation
what are the main energy sources used?
Fossil fuels (80%) , nuclear energy (9%) , and renewables (10%)
what are examples of fossil fuels and how much is used?
coil (15%), oil (37%), and natural gas (29%), which together account for approximately 80% of the world's energy consumption.
what are fossil fuels?
combustible deposits in earths crust composed of remnants (fossils) of prehistoric organisms that existed millions of years ago
what are characteristics of fossil fuels?
they are non-renewable resources, carbon rich, and produce greenhouse gases when burned.
what is the carboniferous period?
how are fossil fuels formed?
dead organisms + heat+ pressure+ TIME
how is coal formed?
dead plant material—> peat—> carbon- rich rock (coal)
how is oil formed?
aquatic microorganisms buried with sediment—> hydrocarbons (oil)
how are natural gases formed?
they are formed the same way oil is but at higher temps
what is one the most abundant fossil fuels in the world?
coal
how much of the worlds coal supply does the US have?
20%
what are the advantages of coal?
coal serves as a major electricity source, its the most abundant, safest to ship, and easy to extract
what are the disadvantages of coal?
it causes the most air and water pollution and ecosystem damage
who are the top coal producers in the US?
Wyoming and Appalachia
what are the most mined states in Appalachia?
Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee
what is subsurface mining?
extraction from deep, thick underground deposits
what are the hazards of subsurface mining?
coal dust, explosions & mine collapse, fire, and toxic fumes
what are the pros and cons of coal mining?
requires more human labor, more expensive, more dangerous to miners, and much less environmentally destructive
what is acid mine drainage?
this is when pollution is caused by sulfuric acid and toxic materials (Pb, As, Cd, Se) wash from mines into water
what is surface mining and whats an example of it?
extraction of deposit near earths surface by 1st removing soil, subsoil, and rock (ex: strip mining)
what is overburden?
this is when all of the rock, dirt ,and organic matter are removed to uncover a mineral deposit
what is mountain top removal?
A form of surface mining where the summit of a mountain is removed to access coal, causing permanent landscape changes and environmental damage.
what is bioaccumulation?
the buildup of a persistent substance in an organism’s body; more exposure means more buildup
what is biomagnification ?
amount of substance per organism increases with each successive trophic level
what happens when coal is processed?
the coal is washed because when mixed with H2O and chemicals to isolate the coal
what is the surface mining control & reclamation act (SMCRA)
Regulates coal mining with permits and inspections, protects sensitive lands, and funds restoration of pre-1977 mined land through a coal tax.
what is reclamation?
returning an area to a state close to it pre-mining condition
what are effects of coal combustion?
releases greenhouse gases, causes air pollution (Hg, particulates, NOx & SOx), contributes to acid rain
what is acid deposition?
pollution in which acid falls from the atmosphere to the surface as precipitation
what is coal ash?
the solid remains of burnt coal, fine ashen particles containing silica and toxic materials (Cd, As)
Acid Deposition & Forest Decline
Leaches Ca & K from soil, Dissolves Mn & Al in water, High-elevation forests decline faster
what does clean coal technology do?
it reduces the amount of pollution produced by burning coal
what are pros of clean coal technology?
fewer SOx and NOx and extra processing before combustion
what do scrubbers in combustion do?
they reduce SOx and particulates by using chemicals to remove pollutants from exhaust, which settle as sludge
what does Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) do?
it captures and stores CO2 before it enters the atmosphere and it requires 30% more energy
what is petroleum (crude oil)
liquid composed of hundreds of hydrocarbon compounds and is found as tiny droplets wedged within porous rock
what are reserves?
the amount of a fuel that is economically feasible to extract from a deposit using current technology
what is the primary stage of oil production?
natural pressure forces oil up (5-15% recovery)
what is the secondary stage of oil production?
water injection increases yield (20-40%)
what is the tertiary stage of oil production?
steam or CO2 injection (60%), high energy and cost
what is the oil extraction process?
oil is drilled through dense rock. initially flows freely due to pressure release, then pumpjacks are used when flow shows.
how does oil form?
aquatic microorganisms buried with sediment which creates hydrocarbons
how is natural gas formed?
natural gas is formed the same way oil is just at higher temperatures
what is peak oil?
the point when gloabl oil production reaches max capacity, followed by decline
what is fracking?
using explosives and pressurized fluid to extract oil/gas from rock
what are the risks of fracking?
water depletion, water contamination, & methane emissions
BP/ Deep water horizion oil spill (2010)
the largest oil spill in U.S. history. Methane explosion killed 11 people, platform sank which released 210 million gallons of oil which harmed marine life
cons of oil combustion
CO2 emissions, air pollution (HC avpors and particulates), acid rain (NOx)
examples of natural gases
Methane, Ethane, Propane, and Butane
what is tar sands?
underground sand deposits permeated with thick asphalt like oil (bitumen)
what is oil shale?
rocks containing a mixture of C- compounds called kerogen
what are gas hydrates?
ice-encrusted gas located deep underground in porous rocks
what are pros of synfuels?
extend fossil fuel reserves and some burn cleaner
what are cons of synfuels?
CO2 emissions, safety risks with extraction & transport, air and water pollution, habitat destruction, and non-renewable
