EARTH & SPACE EARTH & SPACE SCIENCESCIENCE

Chapter 7 Resources and EnergyChapter 7 Resources and Energy

7.4 Resources and Conservation7.4 Resources and Conservation

7.4 Resources and Conservation 7.4 Resources and Conservation ObjectivesObjectives

Describe two environmental impacts of Describe two environmental impacts of mining and the use of fossil fuels.mining and the use of fossil fuels.

Explain two ways the environmental Explain two ways the environmental impacts of mining can be reduced.impacts of mining can be reduced.

Identify three ways that you can conserve Identify three ways that you can conserve natural resources.natural resources.

IntroductionIntroduction

Worldwide coal reserves may last another Worldwide coal reserves may last another 200 years.200 years.

Half the Earth’s oil supply may be used up Half the Earth’s oil supply may be used up in another 20 years.in another 20 years.

Mining fossil fuels may damage the Earth.Mining fossil fuels may damage the Earth. The use of fossil fuels also has a The use of fossil fuels also has a

detrimental impact on the Earth.detrimental impact on the Earth.

Environmental Impacts of MiningEnvironmental Impacts of Mining

Mining can cause air, noise, and water pollution.Mining can cause air, noise, and water pollution. Surface mining can be very destructive to Surface mining can be very destructive to

habitats as vegetation, soil, and even bedrock habitats as vegetation, soil, and even bedrock are removed to expose coal reserves.are removed to expose coal reserves.

Erosion and soil degradation can occur in some Erosion and soil degradation can occur in some types of mining.types of mining.

Subsidence can occur over some subsurface Subsidence can occur over some subsurface mines.mines.

Fires can smolder in coal mines for years.Fires can smolder in coal mines for years.

http://www.negative-g.com/Knoebels/PPP2003/Friday/PPP-2003-Centralia-hill-1.jpg

http://www.theamericannightmare.org/Mine_Fire_Warning_Sign_small.jpe

Environmental Impacts of MiningEnvironmental Impacts of Mining

Many policies designed to protect the Many policies designed to protect the environment have been enacted by a number of environment have been enacted by a number of governmental agencies.governmental agencies.

A sample of federal laws in the U.S…A sample of federal laws in the U.S… Clean Water ActClean Water Act Safe Drinking Water ActSafe Drinking Water Act Comprehensive Response Compensation and Comprehensive Response Compensation and

Liability ActLiability Act Endangered Species ActEndangered Species Act

Mining companies are required to return mined Mining companies are required to return mined land back to as close to its original condition as land back to as close to its original condition as possible in a process called reclamation.possible in a process called reclamation.

Fossil Fuels and the EnvironmentFossil Fuels and the Environment

The burning of fossil The burning of fossil fuels release sulfur fuels release sulfur and nitrogen oxides and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.into the atmosphere.

Sulfur and nitrogen Sulfur and nitrogen oxides react with oxides react with water vapor to form water vapor to form acid precipitation.acid precipitation.

The burning of The burning of gasoline in gasoline in automobiles is a automobiles is a major contributor to major contributor to air pollution.air pollution.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/295000/images/_295067_car_exhaust300.jpg

ConservationConservation

Conservation is the preservation and wise Conservation is the preservation and wise use of natural resources.use of natural resources.

When we conserve natural resources, we When we conserve natural resources, we minimize the damage their use does to the minimize the damage their use does to the environment and we insure that the environment and we insure that the resource will last longer.resource will last longer.

The demand for mineral resources is The demand for mineral resources is increasing fast in developing nations.increasing fast in developing nations.

ConservationConservation

One way to conserve minerals is to use a One way to conserve minerals is to use a substitute that is abundant or renewable.substitute that is abundant or renewable.

Recycling is the process of using materials Recycling is the process of using materials more than once.more than once.

Many metals and glass are recycled.Many metals and glass are recycled. Many materials may be reused.Many materials may be reused.