Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels

Environmental ImplicationsEnvironmental Implications

Fossil Fuels and the EnvironmentFossil Fuels and the Environment

Environmental Consequences ofEnvironmental Consequences of

Extraction: drilling, miningExtraction: drilling, mining

Transportation: pipelines, railTransportation: pipelines, rail

Fossil Fuels and the EnvironmentFossil Fuels and the Environment

Environmental Consequences of Use:Environmental Consequences of Use:

Atmospheric Effects:Atmospheric Effects:– Particulate MatterParticulate Matter

– Global Warming - COGlobal Warming - CO22

– Acid Precipitation - SOAcid Precipitation - SOXX

Fossil Fuels and the EnvironmentFossil Fuels and the Environment

Environmental Consequences of Use:Environmental Consequences of Use:

Hydrologic EffectsHydrologic Effects– Sediment Loading – Coal spoilSediment Loading – Coal spoil

– Acid Precipitation - SOAcid Precipitation - SOXX

– Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) - SOAcid Mine Drainage (AMD) - SOXX

Fossil Fuels and the EnvironmentFossil Fuels and the Environment

Environmental Consequences of Use:Environmental Consequences of Use:

Land Effects:Land Effects:– Abandoned strip and subsurface minesAbandoned strip and subsurface mines– Coal SpoilCoal Spoil– Coal AshCoal Ash– Soil AcidificationSoil Acidification

Fossil Fuels and AcidityFossil Fuels and Acidity

AcidityAcidity

Fossil fuels form under Fossil fuels form under reducing conditionsreducing conditions

Conditions also enable Conditions also enable formation of pyrite formation of pyrite (fool’s gold)(fool’s gold)

AcidityAcidity

Reducing conditions enable formation of Reducing conditions enable formation of pyrite (FeSpyrite (FeS22))

On combustion, pyrite is converted to iron On combustion, pyrite is converted to iron oxide and sulfur oxides (SOoxide and sulfur oxides (SOxx))

SOSOxx + water forms Sulfuric Acid + water forms Sulfuric Acid

Acid PrecipitationAcid Precipitation

Kills treesKills trees

Kills freshwater aquatic lifeKills freshwater aquatic life

Increases deterioration of stone and metal Increases deterioration of stone and metal structures (buildings, bridges)structures (buildings, bridges)

Damages cropsDamages crops

Coal-generated ElectricityCoal-generated Electricity

Coal-generated ElectricityCoal-generated Electricity

Fossil Fuels and the EnvironmentFossil Fuels and the Environment

Environmental Consequences of Use:Environmental Consequences of Use:

Land Effects:Land Effects:– Abandoned strip and subsurface minesAbandoned strip and subsurface mines– Coal SpoilCoal Spoil– Coal AshCoal Ash– Soil AcidificationSoil Acidification

Active Strip MineActive Strip Mine

Abandoned Strip MinesAbandoned Strip Mines

Coal BreakerCoal Breaker

Mine SpoilMine Spoil

Sediment Loading and AMDSediment Loading and AMD

AMD: acid mine drainageAMD: acid mine drainage

AMD and ‘Red Boy’AMD and ‘Red Boy’

AMD from the SubsurfaceAMD from the Subsurface