Chapter 11Chapter 11Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels

Energy Sources and Energy Sources and ConsumptionConsumption

Energy sources used to be localEnergy sources used to be local Now they are worldwideNow they are worldwide

Developing vs. developed nationsDeveloping vs. developed nations 20% of world’s population use 60% of the world’s 20% of world’s population use 60% of the world’s

energy sourcesenergy sources

Energy Consumption in the Energy Consumption in the USUS

US Energy PolicyUS Energy Policy

Objectives:Objectives: 1: Increase Energy Efficiency & 1: Increase Energy Efficiency &

ConservationConservation 2: Secure Future Fossil Fuel Energy 2: Secure Future Fossil Fuel Energy

SuppliesSupplies 3: Develop Alternative Energy Sources3: Develop Alternative Energy Sources 4: Meet the First Three Objectives 4: Meet the First Three Objectives

Without Further Damage to the Without Further Damage to the EnvironmentEnvironment

Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels

Combustible deposits in the Earth’s Combustible deposits in the Earth’s crustcrust Composed of the remains of prehistoric Composed of the remains of prehistoric

organismsorganisms

Examples: coal, oil (petroleum), and Examples: coal, oil (petroleum), and natural gasnatural gas

Non-renewable resource!Non-renewable resource!

How Are Fossil Fuels How Are Fossil Fuels FormedFormed CoalCoal

Heat, pressure and time turned the plant Heat, pressure and time turned the plant material into carbon-rich rock (coal)material into carbon-rich rock (coal)

OilOil Sediment deposited over microscopic Sediment deposited over microscopic

aquatic organisms aquatic organisms Heat pressure and time turned them into Heat pressure and time turned them into

hydrocarbons (oil)hydrocarbons (oil) Natural GasNatural Gas

Formed the same way as oil, but at Formed the same way as oil, but at temperatures higher than 100 °Ctemperatures higher than 100 °C

CoalCoal

Most, if not all, coal deposits have Most, if not all, coal deposits have been identified been identified

CoalCoal

US has 25% of world’s coal suppliesUS has 25% of world’s coal supplies Known coal deposits could last 200 Known coal deposits could last 200

yearsyears At present rate of consumptionAt present rate of consumption

2 Types of Coal Mining2 Types of Coal Mining

Surface mining Surface mining (right)(right)

Subsurface miningSubsurface mining

Mountain Top Removal Mountain Top Removal

Case-In-Point Copper Basin, Case-In-Point Copper Basin, TNTN

Acid Mine DrainageAcid Mine Drainage

Pollution caused when Pollution caused when sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid and dissolved lead, arsenic dissolved lead, arsenic or cadmium wash out of or cadmium wash out of mines into nearby mines into nearby waterwayswaterways

Surface Mining Control and Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977)Reclamation Act (1977)

Requires filling (reclaiming) of surface Requires filling (reclaiming) of surface mines after miningmines after mining

Reduces Acid Mine DrainageReduces Acid Mine Drainage Requires permits and inspections of Requires permits and inspections of

active coal mining sightsactive coal mining sights Prohibits coal mining in sensitive areasProhibits coal mining in sensitive areas

Environmental Impacts of Environmental Impacts of Burning Coal (besides Burning Coal (besides mining)mining) Releases more COReleases more CO2 2

per heat energy per heat energy producedproduced

Releases other Releases other pollutantspollutants MercuryMercury Sulfur oxidesSulfur oxides Nitrogen oxidesNitrogen oxides

Oil and Natural GasOil and Natural Gas

Oil and gas provide 60% of world’s Oil and gas provide 60% of world’s energyenergy They provide 62% of US’s energyThey provide 62% of US’s energy

Petroleum RefiningPetroleum Refining

Numerous hydrocarbons Numerous hydrocarbons present in crude oil present in crude oil (petroleum) are (petroleum) are separatedseparated

Natural gas contains far Natural gas contains far fewer hydrocarbons fewer hydrocarbons than crude oilthan crude oil Methane, ethane, Methane, ethane,

propane and butanepropane and butane

Oil and Natural Gas Oil and Natural Gas ExplorationExploration Oil and natural gas migrate upwards Oil and natural gas migrate upwards

until they hit impermeable rockuntil they hit impermeable rock

Oil ReservesOil Reserves

Uneven distribution Uneven distribution globallyglobally

More than half is More than half is located in the located in the Middle EastMiddle East

Natural Gas ReservesNatural Gas Reserves

Uneven distribution globallyUneven distribution globally More than half is located in Russia More than half is located in Russia

and Iranand Iran

Locating more depositsLocating more deposits Future extraction Future extraction

technologiestechnologies Changes in global Changes in global

consumption ratesconsumption rates Experts indicate there Experts indicate there

may be shortages in may be shortages in 2121stst century century

How long will Supplies Last?How long will Supplies Last?

Depends on:Depends on:

1989 Alaskan Oil Spill1989 Alaskan Oil Spill

Exxon Valdez hit a reef and spilled Exxon Valdez hit a reef and spilled 260,000 barrels of crude oil into 260,000 barrels of crude oil into soundsound

Largest oil spill in US historyLargest oil spill in US history Led to Oil Pollution Act of 1990Led to Oil Pollution Act of 1990 Not any

more!

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Environmental Impacts of Environmental Impacts of Oil and Natural GasOil and Natural Gas CombustionCombustion

Increase carbon dioxide and pollutant emissionsIncrease carbon dioxide and pollutant emissions Natural gas is far cleaner burning than oilNatural gas is far cleaner burning than oil

ProductionProduction Disturbance to land and habitatDisturbance to land and habitat RoadsRoads Temporary jobs- leads to logging and cattle Temporary jobs- leads to logging and cattle

ranchingranching TransportTransport

Spills - especially in aquatic systemsSpills - especially in aquatic systems Ex: Alaskan Oil Spill (1989)Ex: Alaskan Oil Spill (1989)

Case in Point - Arctic Case in Point - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)(ANWR)

Synfuel and Other Fossil Synfuel and Other Fossil Fuel ResourcesFuel Resources SynfuelSynfuel

Synthesized fuel from Synthesized fuel from coal and other naturally coal and other naturally occurring sourcesoccurring sources

Used in place of oil or Used in place of oil or natural gas natural gas

Include:Include: Tar sandsTar sands Oil shalesOil shales Gas hydratesGas hydrates Liquefied coalLiquefied coal Coal gas (right)Coal gas (right)