Chapter 1 - Introduction: Geology for Engineers

Energy

U.S. Energy Consumption

2027

Not Where Oil Comes From

Natural Gas Advantages –relatively clean, releases less CO 2 than other fossil fuels per unit energy –reserves available for the next 60 years Disadvantages –have to have pipelines to transport, so we are liable to have local shortages

Oil shale Has kerogen not converted to oil, so it can be heated to produce petroleum products. Enough oil shale under U.S. to supply ALL of our energy for 5000 years! Problem - has to be mined. Problem – costs more.

Oil sand –Contains tar-like bitumen, which can also be refined. –Could expand present oil reserves by 50% at present price, and by 500% if oil prices climbed to $70 /barrel. –Problem - must be mined.

Coal and Peat Partially decomposed land plants in swamps near coasts, and on floodplains. –Bacteria, heat, and pressure remove other elements so it becomes more and more carbonized.

Advantages of Coal There is a ton of it. –enough for more than 1500 years. Methane in coal beds can be exploited –probably more of this than natural gas!

Problems with Coal Must be mined. Creates air pollution, including greenhouse gases (SO2) –not nearly so bad as it once was

Problems with Fossil Fuels in General Acid rain –Sulfides in coal go into the atmosphere as smoke and ash, and react with water to form sulfuric acid. Global warming –Fossil fuel burning produces CO 2, and when this builds up in the atmosphere, heat from the sun is trapped on the earth ’ s surface more effectively.

Nuclear Energy Nuclear Fission –U-235 atoms are bombarded with neutrons, making it unstable –The U-235 atoms fission, releasing energy and more neutrons –The released neutrons bombard other U-235 atoms, causing them to fission = “ chain reaction ”

Controlled

Nuclear Energy Nuclear Fusion –Two nuclei must be smashed together to form a heavier nucleus Usually use two H atoms to form He Releases an enormous amount of energy Usually takes enormous pressure and heat Not yet economically feasible

Geothermal Energy

Hydroelectric Power

Tidal Power An ideal source of energy, except that it is only available where there is a tidal range of at least 8 m. –At best, only 2% of world ’ s energy needs

Wind Power Clean Renewable Makes country less reliant on imported fuel Could feasibly supply half our energy needs

Problems with wind power More expensive than fossil fuels (5-7 cents/kwh vs. 4-5 cents) Windmills are ugly and noisy Not feasible in all places –a little way out into the ocean is probably the best place To supply half our energy needs, would need about 100 million windmills! Wind does not always blow, so wind power must be supplemented. kills birds (but not nearly as many as automobiles, glass windows, and Boise States Football Field)

Solar Energy Could supply all of our energy needs using an area the size of 2.6% of the Sahara Desert. Can integrate photovoltaic cells into roofing and wall materials, etc. –this has been done in Japan

2013 Oil

Water Resources 98% of Earths water is in the ocean

Global Climate Changes Paleoclimatology

Historical records Sedimentary layers Pollen tree rings ice cores corals

18 O/ 16 O Ratio

Long Term Changes

If we want to use natural resources, we have to pay a price! $$ Green House Gas Deforestation Pollution Mining Habitat Loss Exhaustion of Resource

We need to be careful To Late!

Engineering & Geology Yucca Mountain

Application: Why is any of this important to you? Cost Design Safety McClure Pass, Colorado

Geology & Construction

Hazards:

N. SLC

Easter Island