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Published byAlban Lewis Modified over 9 years ago
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~85% of energy in US comes from Fossil fuels. What are they? Decomposed remnants of ancient forests and algae buried deep under ground Solid = coal Liquid = oil/petroleum Gas = natural gas
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Like pockets of sunshine buried underground Through photosynthesis, plants stored sunlight energy, CO2, and H2O in their tissues When dug up and burned, the energy is released along with the CO2 and H2O (causes global warming) Takes millions of years to reform
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Burning fossil fuels Respiration from plants and animals Decaying organic matter Burning fossil fuels Volcanoes How is Carbon Released? How is Carbon Taken Up? Photosynthesis by plants and algae Dissolves in ocean
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Coal – solid fuel from compressed ancient plants Found in sediment layers underground (up to 100 m thick) – mostly 280-360 million years old Mined by tunnels or by strip mining. Coal deposits 10X than oil and gas combined If all coal on Earth could be extracted, it would last several 1000 years at current consumption rates (2007). Problems with this estimate? At current consumption rates (2007), known reserves will last around 200 years Problems with this estimate?
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Crude oil – found in huge underground reservoirs. Pumped out through wells. Can also be extracted from tar sands and oil shales (rocks) but expensive and messy. Separated at refineries into components like gasoline, diesel fuel, grease, asphalt.
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We have oil in the US, but supply is limited and it’s cheaper to pump in Saudi Arabia higher production capacity Can only extract 30-40% from a reservoir At current rates of production and with known, recoverable reserves, oil is expected to last 40 years Estimate may be higher if we account for currently undiscovered and unrecoverable reserves with current prices and technology US has used 40% of its recoverable oil 10 year supply remains What about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
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http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/colombia/oilb.html
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Conventionally found above reservoirs of crude oil. Includes methane (90%), propane, and ethane. Convenient, cheap, and clean-burning produces half has much CO2 as coal Compressed and liquefied for transport
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Often occurs with oil and extracted simultaneously Piped under pressure to homes and industry. At current rates of consumption, current reserves will last 60 years 10-year supply in US We know about more reserves and are learning of new sources (arctic permafrost, beneath ocean sediments)
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CA – about 45% of energy comes from Natural Gas We may experience increased competition for supply
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