Transcript Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources

Renewable & Nonrenewable
Resources
Lesson Review 2.3: “Distribution &
Management of Natural Resources”
1. Explain 2 ways that electricity is generated in PA.
What energy source generates the majority of PA’s
electricity?
• More than half of the electricity
currently generated in PA comes
from coal-burning power plants
around the state; another 1/3
comes from nuclear power
plants.
2. Compare & contrast 2 types of
underground coal mining methods.
• The room & pillar method cuts rooms into
the coal bed, leaving a series of coal
columns to help support the mine roof &
control the flow of air.
• In longwall mining, a cutting head moves
back & forth across a coal seam, causing
pieces of coal to fall onto a flexible
conveyor. Longwall mining involves special
roof supports that are moved as the seam is
cut.
3. Describe 4 negative effects that coal mining &
the use of coal as fuel have on the environment.
1. Acid mine drainage can form when pyrite in coal
is exposed to air & rainwater.
2. AMD lowers the pH of a water body & covers
the river channels with iron hydroxide.
3. Coal mining also alters the landscape.
4. Coal affects the environment when it is burned.
Emissions combine with water vapor in the air
to form acid precipitation that harms plants &
animals. Acid precipitation also leaches
aluminum from the soil, which can be extremely
toxic to many aquatic organisms.
4. Explain the advantages & disadvantages of coalburning, nuclear, & hydroelectric power plants.
• Coal-burning plants are relatively
inexpensive to build & run. As with
most conventional power plants,
however, the chemicals & particulate
matter released during combustion
of coal can cause air pollution.
4. Explain the advantages & disadvantages of coalburning, nuclear, & hydroelectric power plants.
• Nuclear power plants use much less fuel
than coal-burning plants to produce an
equal amount of electrical power.
Nuclear plants also cause much less air
pollution than do fossil-fuel burning
plants. However, the fuels used in
nuclear plants are radioactive materials
that pose safety hazards.
4. Explain the advantages & disadvantages of coalburning, nuclear, & hydroelectric power plants.
• Hydroelectric power plants cost less
to operate than fossil-fuel plants &
do not pollute the air. The number
of hydroelectric power plants is
limited by the availability of the
water needed to run them.
5. List the steps involved in getting electricity
from a power plant to the consumer.
• In the U.S., most electricity travels through
overhead wires from the power plant to the
consumer. Some industries can use the
electrical current directly from the
transmission lines. Most other uses require
that the voltage be decreased before the
power is distributed. Power substations use
devices called step-down transformers to
reduce the voltage.
6. Name 4 global organizations or agencies, & describe
how each works to promote conservation of Earth’s
resources.
• Global Response is working to prevent
clear-cutting of the lenga forests of
Tierra del Fuego & prevent destruction
of an Australian wetland lake.
• Conservation International is focusing
on conserving the Guinean Forests of
West Africa.
6. Name 4 global organizations or agencies, & describe
how each works to promote conservation of Earth’s
resources.
• The International Energy Agency is an
organization of 26 countries that are
working to ensure conservation of Earth’s
oil supply.
• The U.S. EPA works to repair damage
already done to the environment &
establish new criteria to protect human
health & the air, water, & land.
7. How might an information system ensure that oil moves
through a pipeline without causing an increase in pressure that
could damage the pipeline?
• Computers can monitor the
opening & closing of valves to
ensure a constant flow.