1. Fossil Fuels and the Environment
Chapter 15
Fossil Fuels and the Environment

2. Fossil Fuels
Forms of stored solar energy created from incomplete biological decomposition of dead organic matter
Buried (swamp-like environment) and oxidized
Crude Oil
Natural Gas
Coal

3. Crude Oil
Crude Oil
Naturally occurring petroleum, normally pumped from wells in oil fields (primary production)
secondary production: steam or CO2 injected to push oil up
Refinement of crude oil produces most of the petroleum products we use today

4. Natural Gas Natural Gas
Naturally occurring gaseous hydrocarbon generally produced in association with crude oil or from gas wells
An important efficient and clean burning fuel (cleaner than oil) commonly used in homes and industry
Naturally occurring gaseous hydrocarbon generally produced in association with crude oil or from gas wells
An important efficient and clean burning fuel (cleaner than oil) commonly used in homes and industry

7. Oil in the 21st Century
The U.S has an energy problem caused by dependence on fossil fuels, especially oil
Maximum global production is expected between 2020 and 2050
The challenge is to plan for the decline in oil supply and shift to alternative energy sources

11. Methane Hydrates
White ice-like compound made up of molecules of methane gas
Trapped in “cages” of frozen water in the sediments of the deep seafloor or within areas of permafrost
“transitional” fuel source
combustion produces less CO2 than conventional fossil fuels
Coal-bed methane

12. Environmental Effects of Oil and Natural Gas
Recovery: damage to fragile ecosystems, water and air pollution, land subsidence, and waste disposal
Refining: soil, water and air pollution
Delivery and Use: energy to power automobiles, produce electricity, etc.

13. Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico, 2010
5 million barrels
Failure to use best and safest technology
Response was reactive
Commercial fisherman and tourism impacted

15. Coal
Solid, brittle, carbonaceous rock that is one of the world’s most abundant fossil fuels.
Classified according to energy content as well as carbon and sulfur content
low sulfur coal emits less sulfur dioxide, so more desirable
high sulfur coal: acid rain (burned) and acid mine drainage (water in mines)

18. Coal Mining and the Environment
Strip Mining
A surface mining
process in which the
overlying layer of
soil and rock is
stripped off to reach
the coal
-acid mine drainage
-erosion
-sediment pollution

19. Mountaintop Removal Very Effective Cons Pros
-extensive dust on towns and fields – pollution
- lung disease
Pros
-value to local and regional economy
-following reclamation, produces flat land for variety of uses

20. Underground Mining
Associated with environmental problems including acid mine drainage, land subsidence and coal fires
- spoil piles
- mine collapse
- mine fires

21. Transport of Coal
freight trains; coal-slurry pipelines
The Future of Coal
90% of fossil fuel reserves
Scrubbing: removes sulfur dioxides; lower temperature (reduce air pollution)
Allowance Trading
Reduces pollution
EPA grants utility companies tradable allowances for polluting

22. Oil Shale and Tar Sands Oil Shale A fine-grained sedimentary rock
exceeds global reserves of oil
The oil is a synfuel
requires much energy to extract and make usable; not competitive with cost of crude oil or other conventional fossil fuels
Tar Sands
Sedimentary rocks or sands impregnated with tar oil, asphalt or bitumen