LESSON
Consequences of Fossil
Fuel Use
Guiding Question: What problems are associated with fossil fuel use?
• Explain how pollutants released by fossil fuels
damage health and the environment.
• Describe the environmental and health effects of
mining and drilling.
• Explain the implications of dependence on foreign
nations for fossil fuels.
• Explain why energy conservation is important.
3
Reading Strategy As you read, draw a concept map about
the harmful effects of fossil fuels. Be sure to include all the blue
and green headings in your map.
Vocabulary acid drainage, energy conservation
Fighting to survive, the nine coal miners, trapped 73 meters
(240 feet) underground, could do only one thing to let the world know
that they were still alive. They tapped on an air pipe and hoped that someone on the surface would hear the taps.
The accident that trapped the miners happened on July 24, 2002, in
Quecreek, Pennsylvania. The miners were working deep underground
when a wall collapsed. The opening created by the collapse led to an
abandoned mine filled with water. The bitterly cold water rushed into
the miners’ work area. Within seconds, the area had flooded. The miners
were trapped in an air pocket and couldn’t get out.
Rescuers went to work as soon as they realized what had happened. At
first, they had no luck. Finally, a huge drill broke through into the miners’
area, and much-needed air could be pumped in. After three days underground, the miners were finally rescued. One by one, all nine of them
were lifted to safety. Their families and friends, who had almost given up
hope, began to celebrate.
The Quecreek accident is a reminder that fossil fuels come with costs
as well as benefits. Workers risk their lives to obtain the fuels we need.
And use of the fuels can cause damage.
17.3 Lesson Plan Preview
Differentiated Instruction Advanced students summarize
relevant content from the previous chapter to help the class
learn about fossil fuel pollution.
Inquiry Students observe a
demo modeling the effects of
mountaintop removal.
Real World Students create
posters about energy
conservation.
17.3 RESOURCES
Scientific Method Lab, Identifying
Insulators • Real Data Online • Map
It Online • Lesson 17.3 Worksheets •
Lesson 17.3 Assessment • Chapter 17
Overview Presentation
GUIDING QUESTION
FOCUS Using a piece of notebook paper and a pen, have each
student draw two simple pictures
that depict problems associated
with the use of fossil fuels. Have
students form pairs, and have each
pair discuss their drawings. Call on
volunteers to share their drawings
with the class.
FIGURE 13 Rescue! One of the
Quecreek miners is carried to safety.
Nonrenewable Energy 529
Real Data
Carbon Dioxide From Fossil Fuels
Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Fossil Fuels
Billion metric tons
of carbon/year
8
The combustion of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxTotal
ide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the major
7
Oil
greenhouse gas that is increasing in the atmosphere
6
Coal
because of human activities. The graph shows how the
Natural gas
5
release of carbon dioxide by the burning of oil, coal,
4
and natural gas has changed since 1800. Study the
3
graph and then answer the questions.
2
1. Interpret Graphs What does the purple line on the
1
graph represent?
0
2. Relate Cause and Effect Around what year did
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
the total emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil
Year
Data from Marland, G., et al. 2006. Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Oak Ridge
fuels begin to go up dramatically? What do you
National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN.
think accounts for this dramatic change? (Hint:
Around that time, how did people’s lifestyles begin
4. Predict Do you think the overall trend shown
to change?)
on the graph will change? Explain your answer.
3. Analyze Data Which two fossil fuels release the
most carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?
ANSWERS
Real Data
1. The total emissions of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels
from 1800 to the present.
2. Around 1950 when people’s
lifestyles began to change in ways
that demanded more energy
3. Coal and oil
4. Answers will vary, but should show
understanding of the trend shown
on the graph.
Pollution From Fossil Fuels
The burning of fossil fuels causes pollution that affects health
and the environment.
When they are burned, fossil fuels release substances that contribute to
climate change and cause pollution. In addition, the processes involved
in obtaining and refining fuels can harm human health and the environment. Some of these effects are described below.
Releasing Greenhouse Gases All fossil fuels contain carbon.
When fossil fuels burn, they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
As you have learned, carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. Carbon dioxide produced by the combustion of fossil fuels warms the atmosphere
and drives changes in global climate. Because of its role in global climate
change, carbon dioxide pollution is becoming recognized as the greatest
environmental impact of fossil fuel use.
Air Pollution The burning of coal and oil releases sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxides, which contribute to industrial and photochemical smog
and cause acid deposition. However, catalytic converters have cut down
the release of pollutants by motor vehicles. To reduce pollution by power
plants, the U.S. government and industries are working to develop a coalfired power plant that does not release pollutants.
530 Lesson 3
Water Pollution Fossil fuels pollute water as well as air. For example,
some oil from nonpoint sources, such as industries, homes, and cars, runs
off from its sources. This oil in runoff can contaminate water in or on the
ground. Eventually, this runoff oil enters rivers and streams. From there, the
oil may be carried to the ocean. Huge oil spills from ships and platforms also
can severely damage marine environments. This was the case with the Exxon
Valdez spill in 1989. Oil from Alaska’s North Slope had been piped to the
port of Valdez and loaded onto the ship. Leaving the port, the ship grounded,
causing a huge oil spill. The spilled oil caused massive long-term environmental damage to Alaska’s Prince William Sound. Twenty-one years later, the
Deepwater Horizon, an offshore drilling rig, exploded in the Gulf of Mexico.
The resulting oil spill will likely be more devastating than the Valdez spill.
Effects on Health Numerous health risks are associated with fossil fuels.
Mercury, for example, which is present in coal in trace amounts, is released
from coal-fired power plants. Mercury can damage the central nervous
system and the kidneys, and can cause severe nausea. Motor vehicles release
pollutants that irritate the nose, throat, and lungs. Gases such as hydrogen
sulfide can evaporate from certain kinds of crude oil and irritate the eyes and
throat. Crude oil also often contains trace amounts of poisons such
as lead and arsenic.
(a)
Reading
Checkpoint
ANSWERS
Reading Checkpoint Fossil fuels
pollute water and damage aquatic
environments.
FIGURE 14 The Exxon Valdez and
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spills (a) Two
days after the Exxon Valdez spill began,
a smaller tanker tries to offload oil
from the ship to prevent more oil from
spilling into Prince William Sound.
(b) A man becomes covered with
oil while helping to clean a beach
in Alaska. (c) An explosion destroys
the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, killing
11 workers and allowing oil to spurt
directly from the sea floor into the Gulf
of Mexico. (d) Workers clean a brown
pelican at the Fort Jackson Wildlife
Rehabilitation Center in Louisiana.
(d)
How do fossil fuels affect
water?
(c)
Prince William Sound, 1989
(b)
Gulf of Mexico, 2010
Nonrenewable Energy 531
BIG QUESTION
Can we depend on nonrenewable
energy resources for our energy
needs?
Perspective Read aloud the Big
Question. Point out that many
people develop an answer to this
Big Question based solely on the
perspective of supply and demand. Have students consider
the Big Question from another
perspective—the harmful effects of
extracting and using nonrenewable
resources such as fossil fuels. Ask
students to write several sentences
summarizing their response to the
Big Question from this perspective.
Damage Caused by Extracting Fuels
Mining and drilling for fuels can endanger people and change
ecosystems in harmful ways.
In most cases, it isn’t easy to remove fossil fuels from the ground. Tunnels
often must be dug, and holes must be drilled. Expensive technology is
needed, energy is required, and the process takes a long time. Jobs in
mining and oil operations can be dangerous. And damage to the environment can result from the extraction of fossil fuels.
Dangers of Mining Underground coal mining today is one of our
society’s most dangerous occupations. As the Quecreek accident and
other mining accidents show, miners risk injury or death from collapsing
shafts and tunnels. In addition, miners risk their health by inhaling coal
dust, which can lead to respiratory diseases, including black lung disease.
Strip Mining and the Environment Strip mining can destroy
ANSWERS
Reading Checkpoint Acid drainage
results in the removal of metals from
rocks, which in high concentrations
are harmful to living things.
FIGURE 15 Mountaintop Removal
Part of the summit of this mountain in
West Virginia has been blasted away to
get to a coal deposit.
532 Lesson 3
large areas of habitat and cause extensive soil erosion. Acid drainage
occurs when sulfide minerals in exposed rock surfaces react with oxygen
and rainwater to produce sulfuric acid. As the acid runs off, it removes
metals from the rocks, and both the acid and metals enter groundwater
and water bodies. In high concentrations, many of these metals are toxic
to living things. Acid drainage occurs through natural processes as well
as mining. However, it speeds up when mining exposes many new rock
surfaces at once. Regulations in the United States require mining companies to restore land that has been strip mined. However, the effects are
still severe and last a long time.
Mountaintop removal can have an even greater impact than ordinary
strip mining. Tons of rock and soil are removed from the top of a mountain. This material may accidentally slide downhill, or it may be deliberately dumped downhill in order to dispose of it. The rock and soil may
destroy land habitats and clog waterways.
Reading
Checkpoint
Describe the effects of acid drainage.
Damage From Oil and Gas Extraction Developing an oil or gas
field involves much more than drilling. For example, roads must be built,
and housing for workers must be constructed. Workers build pipelines to
carry the fuel. These activities may harm plants and animals.
FIGURE 16 Oil Technology in the
Tundra A caribou wanders across
a field near buildings used in the oil
industry near Prudhoe Bay in Alaska.
Tundra vegetation at Prudhoe Bay still has not fully
recovered from temporary roads that have not been used in 30 years.
Experts do not agree on whether the region’s caribou have been harmed.
Surveys show that the caribou population has increased since Prudhoe
Bay was developed. Other studies, however, show that female caribou and
their calves avoid all parts of the Prudhoe Bay oil complex.
▶ Prudhoe Bay To predict the ecological effects
of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, scientists have examined the effects in similar environments in Alaska. In addition, they have
conducted some experiments to determine what might happen. Based
on these studies, many scientists predict that wildlife and plants will be
damaged. Oil spills can harm plants, and sometimes plants may be buried
under gravel pits or roads. Roads can break up habitats. Other scientists,
however, think that drilling in the Arctic Refuge will not affect the environment that much. For example, they point out that most drilling would
take place in the winter, when caribou are not in the area. They also note
that the technology has improved in the time since the Prudhoe Bay oil
fields were developed, and claim that development of the Arctic Refuge
would be more sensitive to the environment.
▶ Possible Impact on the Arctic Refuge Nonrenewable Energy 533
KEY
Proven reserves
at end of 2008
(thousand million barrels)
Asia Pacific 42.0
North America 70.9
South America
and Central America 123.2
Africa 125.6
Europe and Eurasia 142.2
Middle East 754.1
National border
Data from British Petroleum. Statistical Review of World Energy 2009.
FIGURE 17 World Oil Distribution
The map shows the approximate oil
reserves, in thousand million barrels, in
different regions of the world.
Map it
Imports and Exports
Study the map in Figure 17 and
answer the questions.
1. Interpret Maps Which region
of the world has the least oil?
Approximately how much oil
can be found in this part of the
world?
2. Interpret Maps How do the oil
reserves in North America
compare to those in the rest of
the world?
3. Infer Which part of the world
probably exports the most oil to
other areas?
534 Lesson 3
Dependence on Foreign Sources
Since fossil fuels are unevenly distributed in the world, many
nations need to depend on foreign sources.
Fossil fuels are not evenly distributed worldwide, as shown in Figure 17.
Some nations have more deposits of a fossil fuel than others. The United
States, for example, has extensive coal resources. However, Middle
Eastern nations such as Saudi Arabia and Iran have far more crude oil
reserves than does the United States. Almost all our modern technology
and services depend in some way on fossil fuels. This means that a nation
can suffer when its supplies become unavailable or very costly.
Disadvantages of Foreign Dependence Nations that lack
adequate fossil fuels are especially at risk. For instance, Germany, France,
South Korea, and Japan consume far more energy than they produce.
Therefore, nations such as these rely almost entirely on fuel imports for
their economic well-being. In recent years, the United States has relied
more and more on foreign energy. Today the United States imports two
thirds of its crude oil. Such reliance means that seller nations can control
energy prices. They can force buyer nations to pay more and more as supplies of fossil fuels decrease.
Reducing Dependence on Foreign Oil The United States government has enacted policies to reduce dependence on oil from some foreign
nations. One policy calls for developing additional resources within the
United States, such as some of those in Alaska.
In addition, the United States has diversified its sources of petroleum.
It now receives much of its petroleum from nations other than those in
the Middle East. For example, we now import a lot of oil from Canada,
Mexico, Venezuela, and Nigeria. Another way to reduce dependence on
foreign oil is to develop renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind
power. You will learn more about renewable energy in the next chapter.
Energy Conservation
To save fossil fuels and limit the damage they cause, we need to
conserve energy.
We want supplies of fossil fuels to last as long as possible, and one way
to accomplish that is to reduce our use of them. In addition, if we are
less dependent on fossil fuels, we can prevent some of the environmental
damage they do. Energy conservation is the practice of reducing energy
use to meet those goals.
Conservation and Transportation Transportation accounts for
two thirds of oil use in the United States. One way to conserve energy
is to design and sell motor vehicles that use less gasoline. In addition, if
taxes on gasoline were increased, gasoline would become more expensive, and people would then have a powerful reason to conserve gasoline.
Drivers in many European nations pay much higher gasoline taxes than
do drivers in the United States.
Many critics of oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
point out that our cars and trucks waste huge amounts of oil. They argue
that a small amount of conservation would save the nation far more oil
than it could obtain from the oil deposits in the Arctic Refuge.
Personal Choices Individual people can make choices that save
energy. In addition to driving less, we can take other actions. For example, we can turn lights off in rooms that aren’t being used. By turning
down thermostats, we can reduce the energy needed to heat homes. We
can buy appliances that conserve energy. All these actions save people
money and reduce fossil fuel use.
FIGURE 18 Gas Guzzlers Huge
recreational vehicles use a lot of gas,
increasing our need for oil.
ANSWERS
Map It
1. Asia Pacific; 42.0 thousand million
barrels
2. North America has smaller reserves than anywhere except Asia
Pacific.
3. M
iddle East
Lesson 3 Assessment For answers
to the Lesson 3 Assessment, see page
A–27 at the back of the book.
3
1. Explain Describe how oil in runoff from a city
street might eventually reach the ocean.
2. Infer U.S. government regulations require companies to restore land after strip mining. In spite of
these regulations, why does strip mining still have a
severe impact on the environment?
3. Relate Cause and Effect Why can it be a disadvantage for a nation to depend on foreign oil?
4. Apply Concepts What effect might an increase in
gasoline taxes have on the way people get to work?
Explain your answer.
You have been elected
5.
United States Senator from Alaska. The other senator from Alaska has just proposed a law that would
open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil
drilling. Would you vote in favor of this law? Why
or why not?
Nonrenewable Energy 535