Fossil Fuels Environmental Implications
Fossil Fuels and the Environment Environmental Consequences of Extraction: drilling, mining Transportation: pipelines, rail
Fossil Fuels and the Environment Environmental Consequences of Use: Atmospheric Effects: –Particulate Matter –Global Warming - CO 2 –Acid Precipitation - SO X
Fossil Fuels and the Environment Environmental Consequences of Use: Hydrologic Effects –Sediment Loading – Coal spoil –Acid Precipitation - SO X –Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) - SO X
Fossil Fuels and the Environment Environmental Consequences of Use: Land Effects: –Abandoned strip and subsurface mines –Coal Spoil –Coal Ash –Soil Acidification
Fossil Fuels and Acidity
Acidity Fossil fuels form under reducing conditions Conditions also enable formation of pyrite (fool’s gold)
Acidity Reducing conditions enable formation of pyrite (FeS 2 ) On combustion, pyrite is converted to iron oxide and sulfur oxides (SO x ) SO x + water forms Sulfuric Acid
Acid Precipitation Kills trees Kills freshwater aquatic life Increases deterioration of stone and metal structures (buildings, bridges) Damages crops
Coal-generated Electricity
Fossil Fuels and the Environment Environmental Consequences of Use: Land Effects: –Abandoned strip and subsurface mines –Coal Spoil –Coal Ash –Soil Acidification
Active Strip Mine
Abandoned Strip Mines
Coal Breaker
Mine Spoil
Sediment Loading and AMD
AMD: acid mine drainage
AMD and ‘Red Boy’
AMD from the Subsurface