Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or displa y.
Enger & Smith
Environmental Science
A Study of Interrelationships
Twelfth Edition
Chapter 9
Energy Sources
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Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships - Chapter 9: Energy Sources, Study notes of Environmental Science
This chapter from 'environmental science: a study of interrelationships' explores various energy sources, including nonrenewable and renewable options. Topics covered include fossil fuel formation, issues related to their use, renewable sources such as solar, geothermal, and wind energy, and energy conservation. The text also discusses the importance of renewable energy sources and their potential future role in meeting global energy demands.
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Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
Enger & Smith
Environmental Science
A Study of Interrelationships
Twelfth Edition
Chapter 9
Energy Sources
Energy Sources
Energy Sources
All energy sources
Resources and Reserves
A resource is a naturally occurring substance of
use to humans that can potentially be extracted
using current technology.
A reserve is a known deposit that can be
economically extracted using current technology,
under certain economic conditions.
Reserves are smaller than resources.
Reserve levels change as technology advances,
new discoveries are made, and economic
conditions vary.
Fossil Fuel Formation
Coal
- (^) 300 million years ago, plant material began collecting underwater, initiating decay, forming a spongy mass of organic material.
- (^) Due to geological changes, some of these deposits were covered by seas, and covered with sediment.
- (^) Pressure and heat over time transformed the organic matter into coal.
Fossil Fuel Formation
Recoverable coal reserves of the world 2004
Fossil Fuel Formation
Crude oil and natural gas pool
Issues Related to the Use of Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels supply 80% of world’s commercial
energy.
- (^) Oil 36%
- (^) Coal 25%
- (^) Natural Gas 19%
- (^) Bituminous
- (^) Low moisture, high carbon content
- (^) Used in power plants and other industry such as steel making.
- (^) Most widely used because it is easiest to mine and the most abundant, supplying 20% of the world’s energy requirements.
- (^) Anthracite
- (^) Has the highest carbon content, and is relatively rare.
- (^) It is used primarily in heating buildings and for specialty uses.
Issues Related to the Use of Fossil Fuels
Issues Related to the Use of Fossil Fuels
There are two extraction methods:
- (^) Surface mining (strip mining), which is the process of removing material on top of a vein, is efficient but destructive.
- (^) Underground mining minimizes surface disturbance, but is costly and dangerous. - (^) Many miners suffer from black lung disease, a respiratory condition that results from the accumulation of fine coal- dust particles in the miners’ lungs.
Issues Related to the Use of Fossil Fuels
Underground mining
Issues Related to the Use of Fossil Fuels
Surface-mine reclamation