ENERGY RESOURCES

C HA

P T E R 9

SECTION 1 ENERGY RESOURCES

Fossil fuels – energy resources formed from ancient decayed organisms.

1. Coal – formed in swampy regions from decayed plants and sediment.

A. Pressure and heat caused chemical reactions:

B. Peat to lignite.

C. Lignite to bituminous coal.

2. Oil and natural gas – formed in oceans from decayed algae, plankton, and sediment.

A. Pressure and heat caused chemical reactions.

B. Move upward – less dense than surrounding rock.

SECTION 1 (CONTINUED)

B. Pollution – caused by burning fossil fuels.

1. Acid rain – gases released by burning coal or oil mix with water in the air.

a. Pollutes soil – harms plants and trees.

b. Pollutes water – harms aquatic life.

C. Nonrenewable – fossil fuels – used up faster than nature can replace them.

1. World’s energy needs provided by: coal – 29 percent; oil and natural gas – 61 percent.

SECTION 1

Coal – could last 200-300 years.

Oil – could last 30-40 years.

Natural gas – could last 60 years.

Conserving electricity – one way to reduce the use of fossil fuels and reduce pollution.

SECTION 2

Renewable resources – energy that can be recycled or replaced.

Solar energy – uses energy from the Sun1. Solar cells – change light into electricity.2. Enough energy reaches Earth in one hour to supply world

for a year.3. Disadvantages:A. Available only when the Sun is shining.B. No technology to harness all the Sun’s energy.

SECTION 2

Wind farms – many windmills in one area

Disadvantages:

a. Not steady

b. Only a few regions with strong enough winds.

c. Wind farms dangerous to birds.

SECTION 2

Hydroelectric power – using moving water

1. Sources of moving water.

A. Natural waterfalls

B. Concrete dams

2. Disadvantages:

a. Increased erosion downstream

b. Wildlife habitats disturbed

c. Some places not near flowing water.

SECTION 2

Geothermal energy – uses the magma and hot rocks beneath Earth’s surface.

1. When magma close to Earth’s surface – geyser erupts.

2. Disadvantages:

a. Can be harmful to environment.

b. Few places have magma near Earth’s surface.

c. Places with no magma near the surface need deep wells.

SECTION 2

Nuclear energy – produced by splitting nuclei of certain elements.

1. Fission – name for the splitting process.

2. Most common element used in nuclear power plants – uranium

3. Disadvantages:

a. Produces radioactive nuclear waste.

b. Possible problems in storing nuclear waste.

SECTION 3

Water – vital to life on Earth

1. 70 percent of Earth covered by water.

2. Less than one percent available for human use.

B. Two major sources of public water supply.

1. Groundwater – water found under Earth’s surface.

2. Surface water- on surface of Earth

-ponds , lakes, streams, reservoirs

3. Water pollution – harmful debris, chemicals or biological materials added to water.

3. Laws to reduce water pollution.

a. Safe Drinking Water Act – ensures safe drinking water.

b. The Clean Water Act – gives states money to build water treatment plants.

SECTION 4

Land – renewable resources

1. Amount of land is limited.

2. People must use land wisely.

a. Preserve natural habitats.

b. Reduce soil erosion.

SECTION 4Forests – land resource – tress

1. Important produce – wood.

2. Conservation – careful use of resources to reduce environmental damage.

a. Select cutting – limited number of trees in one area are cut down and replaced.

b. Clear-cutting – all trees in one area are cut down and replaced.

3. Tree – renewable resource – can plant a new tree.

4. Forest – nonrenewable resource – complex ecosystem.

SECTION 4

Minerals – land resource found in rocks.

1. Ore – mineral mined at a profit.

a. Found under Earth’s surface.

b. Metals – such as iron.

2. Mining – process used to reach ore.

a. Moves large quantities of soil and rock

b. Affects the environment.