1. “Fossil Fuels and Geology”
Unit 2
“Fossil Fuels and Geology”

2. Sources of Energy
Prior to the onset of the Industrial Revolution energy used for heating and cooking etc. came from the use of wood products
Once the advances of the Industrial Revolution took hold, a transition occurred from burning wood to utilizing fossil fuels so as to supply energy to an ever growing human population

3. Geology Review
Geology is the study of rocks and the Earth’s physical features
Recall the solid portion of the Earth is the lithosphere
There are 3 main rock categories based on how it is formed. What are they?
Volcanoes are found along the boundaries of tectonic plates….lots of geologic activity there!

4. Fossil Fuels There are three types of fossil fuels
All 3 types of fossil fuels are formed via the conversion of plant matter over time due to the presence of heat and pressure
This transformation is a very slow process, taking millions of years, and occurs deep below the surface of the Earth
Even those these fuels are the result of plant matter being chemically altered, because the process takes so long, fossil fuels are considered nonrenewable

5. 3 Types of Fossil Fuels
Crude Oil – extracted from deep within the crust of the earth; liquid form
Natural Gas – extracted from close to the surface (Biogenic gas), or deep within the crust of the Earth (Thermogenic gas); gas form
Coal – extracted from well within the crust of the Earth; solid form

6. Crude Oil Specifics
Forms due to high temperature and pressure conditions from 1 to 2 miles below the surface
Sound waves are used to locate oil reserves
Once reserves are located extraction occurs via drilling
Drilling uses pressure differentials to facilitate the movement of the crude oil/petroleum from well within the Earth to the surface of the Earth

7. Crude Oil Specifics
Petroleum contains many hydrocarbon molecules that have many uses
These numerous types of hydrocarbons are separated from each other for later use via a process called fractional distillation
Even though many everyday products, including plastics, are made from crude oil hydrocarbons, the one product that is of keen interest and under increasing scrutiny is Gasoline
It is predicted that we will have exhausted our supply of crude oil by about 2050

8. Crude Oil Specifics

9. Crude Oil Specifics

10. Natural Gas Specifics Much cleaner burning fuel than crude oil or coal
World supplies of natural gas are projected to last approximately 60 more years
Natural gas has only recently become more widely used
The U.S. has substantial natural gas supplies below the soil surface

11. Natural Gas Specifics 2 main types of natural gas:
Biogenic (Methane) - just below surface
Thermogenic (Methane & other gases) – deep below surface
Natural gas is extracted via drilling both in the ocean and on land as is the case with crude oil
Natural gas is used to fuel vehicles and generate electricity

12. Coal Specifics
¼ of the worlds coal supplies are located below the surface of the U.S.A.
Coal is extracted in a variety of ways:
Subsurface mining – less ecological impact but more dangerous and more expensive
Strip Mining – big holes are dug from the surface in an effort to extract the coal; less dangerous and cheaper but much more ecologically damaging
Mountain Top Removal Mining - a form of strip mining that is very ecologically damaging

13. Coal Specifics
Coal is used mainly for the generation of electricity

14. Hydraulic Fracturing - Fracking
Relatively new technique used to extract hydrocarbons: oil and natural gas
Traditional drilling is done vertically
Hydraulic Fracturing has a vertical and horizontal drilling component
Minimal environmental impact assuming responsible drilling procedures

15. Environmental Problems
Fossil Fuels are non-renewable, and as a result, will be nonexistent in the future
All three forms of fossil fuels can be polluting:
Crude Oil – global warming (still being debated) and toxic chemicals
Coal – acid rain and particulate matter
Natural Gas – minimally polluting but pungent odor associated with its use

16. Environmental Problems
Additionally, all other minerals and metals are mined using the same methods as fossil fuels and they are also non-renewable resources
As technology improves however, extraction methods are generally safer and less environmentally impacting (assuming responsible implementation)

17. Environmental Problems
Within the last 5 years a shift in the theory of Climate Change has been occurring:
1. Initially thought to be solely anthropogenic
2. Revelations recently have revealed collusion and dishonesty in climate change research
3. More recent research is showing climate change is most likely the result of natural causes
Climate Change/Global Warming will be discussed in more detail in Unit 4