Environmental Consequences PDF

**ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES** **Name: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Period: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Score: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_** **EQ:** How do I explain the environmental consequences of the various methods energy sources?...

**ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES** **Name: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Period: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Score: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_** **EQ:** How do I explain the environmental consequences of the various methods energy sources? ESS.8.4.2 The environmental consequences of obtaining, transforming, and distributing energy vary depending on the method used, but generally include air pollution, water pollution, land disruption, greenhouse gas emissions, and impacts on ecosystems, with fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas having the most significant negative impacts due to their combustion byproducts and extraction processes; while renewable sources like solar and wind have lower environmental impacts but still face challenges related to manufacturing and land use. - **Solar Power:** - **Land Use:** Large solar farms can require significant land area, impacting habitats  - **Manufacturing Impacts:** Environmental concerns related to the production of solar panels, including resource extraction and chemical usage  - **Hydroelectric Power:** - **Habitat Destruction:** Dam construction can significantly alter river ecosystems and displace wildlife.  - **Flood Risk:** Potential for flooding in downstream areas due to dam operations  - **Water Quality Impacts:** Alteration of water flow can affect water quality and sediment deposition  - **Wind Power:** - **Visual Impact:** Large wind turbines can be visually disruptive in some landscapes  - **Bird and Bat Mortality:** Potential for bird and bat collisions with turbine blades  - **Noise Pollution:** Noise generated by wind turbines can be a concern in nearby communities  - **Land Disruption:** Extensive land disturbance from mining operations (coal) and drilling (oil and gas), leading to habitat destruction.  - **Biomass** - **Deforestation:** Large-scale biomass harvesting can lead to deforestation if not managed sustainably, impacting biodiversity and carbon sequestration - **Air Pollution:** Direct combustion of biomass releases particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants, particularly if not properly controlled.  - **Greenhouse Gas Emissions:** While considered renewable, biomass can still emit greenhouse gases if the carbon captured by the growing plants is not fully offset by the carbon released during combustion.  **Geothermal Energy** - **Air pollution:** Release of gases like hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) which can be toxic at high concentrations and needs to be treated with scrubbers.  - **Water contamination:** Potential for release of dissolved minerals and chemicals from the geothermal reservoir into the surrounding groundwater if not properly managed.  - **Water usage:** Geothermal power plants require significant water for cooling, which can be a concern in water-stressed regions.  - **Nuclear Power:** - **Radioactive Waste Disposal:** Significant challenge in safely storing highly radioactive waste for long periods.  - **Thermal Pollution:** Heat released from power plants can impact aquatic ecosystems.  - **Accident Risk:** Potential for catastrophic accidents with large-scale radioactive release.  - **Fossil Fuels (Coal, Oil, Natural Gas):** - **Air Pollution:** Major contributor to air pollution through emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide, leading to smog, acid rain, and respiratory issues.  - **Climate Change:** Highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, causing global warming.  - **Water Pollution:** Potential for oil spills during extraction and transport, impacting marine life and water quality.