AP Environmental Science Fossil Fuels

Which of the following negative impacts is NOT associated with coal mining and burning?

• Fracking used during extraction contaminates water and is associated with earthquakes.

• Carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide gases are emitted.

• Toxic heavy metals, such as mercury and arsenic, are released into the enviornment.

• Coal ash, which contains hevay metals and radium, is toxic and must be stored safely forever.

• Open- pit mining and mountaintop removal may be used to aquire reserves.

How does hydraullic fracturing contribute directly to climate change?

• Not all methane released from this method is captured; some escapes into the atmosphere, where it is a powerful greenhouse gas.

• Fracking contributes to earthquakes, which can release deep pocklets of carbon dioxide as a result of the techtonic shifts.

• Fracking operations release extensive amounts of carbon dioxide, which contributes further to climate change.

• Fracking can contaminate groundwater through leaking pipes that are not monitored properly.

• Fracking causes people to burn more methane, which adds more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

A colorless, odorless gas that decreases the blood's ability to carry oxygen.  Can cause faintness, death.

• Nitrogen oxides

• Ground-level ozone

• Carbon monoxide

• Sulfur dioxide

“Scrubbing” is a technique used to:

• collect particulates produced by coal-burning power plants

• control carbon monoxide production in automobiles

• control sulfur emissions in the exhaust from a power plant

• remove carbon dioxide from the exhaust of a power plant

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

The 3 main anthropogenic sources of gaseous air pollutants in the US are

• soil erosion, volcanoes, and forest fires

• soil erosion, volcanoes, and energy production

• industry, transportation, and energy production

• industry, transportation and agriculture

Which is an anthropogenic source of nitrogen oxides?

• Nuclear fission

• Combustion of natural gas

• Volcanic eruptions

• motor vehicles

Which of the following is a primary environmental concern associated with the extraction of fossil fuels?

• Habitat destruction

• Increased biodiversity

• Improved air quality

• Decreased soil erosion

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

What is the main component of natural gas?

• Methane

• Ethane

• Propane

• Butane

Which fossil fuel is primarily used for electricity generation in power plants?

• Coal

• Natural Gas

• Petroleum

• Uranium

What is the process called where plant and animal matter is transformed into fossil fuels over millions of years?

• Photosynthesis

• Combustion

• Fossilization

• Metamorphosis