1. EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE Chapter 7 Resources and Energy 7.4 Resources and Conservation

2. 7.4 Resources and Conservation Objectives  Describe two environmental impacts of mining and the use of fossil fuels.  Explain two ways the environmental impacts of mining can be reduced.  Identify three ways that you can conserve natural resources.

3. Introduction  Worldwide coal reserves may last another 200 years.  Half the Earth’s oil supply may be used up in another 20 years.  Mining fossil fuels may damage the Earth.  The use of fossil fuels also has a detrimental impact on the Earth.

4. Environmental Impacts of Mining  Mining can cause air, noise, and water pollution.  Surface mining can be very destructive to habitats as vegetation, soil, and even bedrock are removed to expose coal reserves.  Erosion and soil degradation can occur in some types of mining.  Subsidence can occur over some subsurface mines.  Fires can smolder in coal mines for years.

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6. Environmental Impacts of Mining  Many policies designed to protect the environment have been enacted by a number of governmental agencies.  A sample of federal laws in the U.S…  Clean Water Act  Safe Drinking Water Act  Comprehensive Response Compensation and Liability Act  Endangered Species Act  Mining companies are required to return mined land back to as close to its original condition as possible in a process called reclamation.

7. Fossil Fuels and the Environment  The burning of fossil fuels release sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.  Sulfur and nitrogen oxides react with water vapor to form acid precipitation.  The burning of gasoline in automobiles is a major contributor to air pollution. http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/295000/images/_ 295067_car_exhaust300.jpg

8. Conservation  Conservation is the preservation and wise use of natural resources.  When we conserve natural resources, we minimize the damage their use does to the environment and we insure that the resource will last longer.  The demand for mineral resources is increasing fast in developing nations.

9. Conservation  One way to conserve minerals is to use a substitute that is abundant or renewable.  Recycling is the process of using materials more than once.  Many metals and glass are recycled.  Many materials may be reused.