Study Notes on Nonrenewable Energy Resources

Nonrenewable Energy Resources Summary

Coal and its Environmental Impact

• Major energy source with environmental consequences.
• Old technology leads to air, water, and ground contamination.
• CO2 emission is not currently reducible despite advancements.
• Example: Kingston, TN coal ash spill (2008) caused extensive damage.

Energy Consumption Patterns

• Essential for daily human activities (food, heating, manufacturing).
• Higher per capita energy use in developed nations (U.S. data): 31% industry, 41% buildings, 28% transportation.
• Developing countries have high household energy use, but industrial use is lower.

Coal Characteristics

• Most abundant fossil fuel; significant reserves in the Northern Hemisphere (U.S., Russia, China, etc.).
• U.S. holds 25% of world reserves, primarily used for electricity and steel production.

Mining Techniques

• Two methods: Surface mining (60% of U.S. coal) and subsurface (40%).
• Surface mining is safer but disrupts land and ecosystems.

Environmental Impacts of Coal Mining

• Loss of topsoil, risk of landslides, acid mine drainage contamination.
• Mountaintop removal severely alters landscapes.
• Legislative measures (Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act) exist, but impacts remain significant.

Air Pollution from Coal

• Major air pollutant source, producing more CO2 and mercury emissions than other fuels.
• Coal burning results in acid rain due to sulfur/nitrogen oxides.

Cleaner Coal Technologies

• Scrubbers and fluidized-bed combustion reduce emissions.
• Clean Air Act incentivizes cleaner technologies.

Oil and Natural Gas Overview

• Together, they provide about 56% of world energy.
• Petroleum is refined into various products; natural gas mainly used for heating and electricity.

Natural Gas Advantages and Challenges

• Cleaner than coal and oil but has transportation challenges.
• Significant reduction in CO2 and toxins compared to fossil fuel alternatives.

Environmental Effects of Oil and Natural Gas

• Oil generates high CO2 emissions; natural gas is cleaner but poses spill risks.
• Notable oil spills (Exxon Valdez, Deepwater Horizon) showcase environmental disasters associated with oil.

Nuclear Energy

• Produced from fission or fusion; involves significant risk and waste concerns.
• Nuclear power is less polluting than fossil fuels but generates long-term radioactive waste.

Safety in Nuclear Power

• Accidents can have severe consequences (e.g., Chernobyl, Fukushima).
• Safety regulations are critical to prevent disasters.

Radioactive Waste Management

• High-level waste is hazardous; no long-term storage solution established in the U.S.
• Nuclear Waste Policy Act mandates federal responsibility for waste management, but progress is slow.

Conclusion

• Nonrenewable resources come with major risks and environmental consequences.
• Future energy needs may require a mix of technology improvements and renewable alternatives to mitigate negative impacts.