Fossil Fuels

1. Fossil Fuels Resource Use Cycle

2. I. Resource Use Cycle Formation and Concentration Recycle Location and Identification Disposal Mining and Refining Production and Use

3. II. Coal • Formation and Concentration • Millions of years ago, layers of dead plants at the bottom of swamps were covered by layers of water and dirt. • The heat and pressure from the top layers helped the plant remains turn into coal.

4. II. Coal • Location and Identification • Involves geochemical and geophysical surveys of an area, followed by exploration drilling. • 1/8th of the US lies over coal beds.

5. II. Coal • Mining and Refining • In surface mining, giant machines remove the top-soil rock to expose coal. After mining, the dirt and rock are returned to the pit and the area is replanted. • In underground mining, miners ride elevators down deep mine shafts where machines dig out the coal.

6. II. Coal • Production and Use • Coal is used to generate almost half of all electricity produced in the United States. • Separated ingredients of coal are used in making plastics, tar, synthetic fibers, fertilizers, and medicines.

7. II. Coal • Advantages of Energy Use • Plentiful in US. • High energy content. • Relatively inexpensive. • Disadvantages of Energy Use • Non-renewable resource. • Coal emissions are linked to global warming, acid rain, smog, and mercury contamination of water. • Underground mining can be dangerous. Surface mining destroys large areas of the landscape.

8. III. Oil • Formation and Concentration • Dead organic material accumulates on the bottom of oceans, riverbeds or swamps. Sediment piles on top and the resulting heat and pressure transforms it into a dark and waxy substance. • Depending on how liquid or gaseous this mixture is, it will turn into either oil or natural gas. • After formation, it migrates into porous rock, until it becomes trapped between impermeable layers.

9. III. Oil • Location and Identification • Surface rocks and terrain are studied to determine if oil is present underground. • Shock waves are sent through the water or land. The length of time it takes for the waves to reflect back to a sensor can predict if the underground rocks contain oil.

10. III. Oil • Mining and Refining • Oil refining separates crude oil into useful substances. • At refineries, oil is separated into fractions on the basis of different boiling points for different substances.

11. III. Oil • Production and Use • Crude oil can be refined into gasoline, alcohols, waxes, kerosene, lubricants, asphalt, additives, plastic, oils and more.

12. III. Oil • Production and Use

13. III. Oil • Advantages of Energy Use • The most abundant and versatile energy resource. • Liquid form makes it easy to transport and use. • High energy content. • Relatively inexpensive. • Disadvantages of Energy Use • Non-renewable resource. • Oil emissions are linked to global warming and acid rain. • Oil drilling endangers the environment. • Oil transportation can lead to spills, causing environmental damage. • Dependence on foreign sources.

14. IV. Natural Gas • Formation and Concentration • Oil and natural gas are found in similar areas. • Location and Identification • Natural gas is located in a similar fashion to oil. • Mining and Refining • Natural gas is transported through pipelinesto a processing plant where it is stored for use.

15. IV. Natural Gas • Production and Use • Used for heating and cooking in residential and commercial buildings. • Used to create electricity.

16. IV. Natural Gas • Advantages of Energy Use • Burns clean and produces practically no harmful by-products. • High energy content. • Relatively inexpensive. • Disadvantages of Energy Use • Non-renewable resource. • Combustibility. • Toxic at high volumes.