Energy Resources Chapter 9

Section 1 Energy resources Fossil fuels – energy resources formed from ancient decayed organisms. Coal – formed in swampy regions from decayed plants and sediment. Pressure and heat caused chemical reactions: Peat to lignite. Lignite to bituminous coal. Oil and natural gas – formed in oceans from decayed algae, plankton, and sediment. Pressure and heat caused chemical reactions. B. Move upward – less dense than surrounding rock.

Section 1 (continued) B. Pollution – caused by burning fossil fuels. Acid rain – gases released by burning coal or oil mix with water in the air. Pollutes soil – harms plants and trees. Pollutes water – harms aquatic life. Nonrenewable – fossil fuels – used up faster than nature can replace them. World’s energy needs provided by: coal – 29 percent; oil and natural gas – 61 percent.

Section 1 Coal – could last 200-300 years. Oil – could last 30-40 years. Natural gas – could last 60 years. Conserving electricity – one way to reduce the use of fossil fuels and reduce pollution.

Section 2 Renewable resources – energy that can be recycled or replaced. Solar energy – uses energy from the Sun Solar cells – change light into electricity. Enough energy reaches Earth in one hour to supply world for a year. Disadvantages: Available only when the Sun is shining. No technology to harness all the Sun’s energy.

Section 2 Wind farms – many windmills in one area Disadvantages: Not steady Only a few regions with strong enough winds. Wind farms dangerous to birds.

Section 2 Hydroelectric power – using moving water Sources of moving water. Natural waterfalls Concrete dams Disadvantages: Increased erosion downstream Wildlife habitats disturbed Some places not near flowing water.

Section 2 Geothermal energy – uses the magma and hot rocks beneath Earth’s surface. When magma close to Earth’s surface – geyser erupts. Disadvantages: Can be harmful to environment. Few places have magma near Earth’s surface. Places with no magma near the surface need deep wells.

Section 2 Nuclear energy – produced by splitting nuclei of certain elements. Fission – name for the splitting process. Most common element used in nuclear power plants – uranium Disadvantages: Produces radioactive nuclear waste. Possible problems in storing nuclear waste.

Section 3 Water – vital to life on Earth 70 percent of Earth covered by water. Less than one percent available for human use. Two major sources of public water supply. Groundwater – water found under Earth’s surface. Surface water- on surface of Earth -ponds , lakes, streams, reservoirs 3. Water pollution – harmful debris, chemicals or biological materials added to water. Laws to reduce water pollution. Safe Drinking Water Act – ensures safe drinking water. The Clean Water Act – gives states money to build water treatment plants.

Section 4 Land – renewable resources Amount of land is limited. People must use land wisely. Preserve natural habitats. Reduce soil erosion.

Section 4 Forests – land resource – tress Important produce – wood. Conservation – careful use of resources to reduce environmental damage. Select cutting – limited number of trees in one area are cut down and replaced. Clear-cutting – all trees in one area are cut down and replaced. Tree – renewable resource – can plant a new tree. Forest – nonrenewable resource – complex ecosystem.

Section 4 Minerals – land resource found in rocks. Ore – mineral mined at a profit. Found under Earth’s surface. Metals – such as iron. Mining – process used to reach ore. Moves large quantities of soil and rock Affects the environment.