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Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships, 8/e
Eldon Enger, Delta College
Bradley F. Smith, Western Washington University

Energy Sources

Chapter Objectives

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

Differentiate between resources and reserves.

Identify peat, lignite, bituminous coal, and anthracite coal as steps in the process of coal formation.

Recognize that natural gas and oil are formed from ancient marine deposits.

Explain how various methods of coal mining can have negative environmental impacts.

Explain why surface mining of coal is used in some areas and underground mining in other areas.

Explain why it is more expensive to find and produce oil today than it was in the past.

Recognize that secondary recovery methods have been developed to increase the proportion of oil and natural gas obtained from deposits.

Recognize that transport of natural gas is still a problem in some areas of the world.

Explain why the amount of energy supplied by hydroelectric power is limited.

Describe how wind, geothermal, and tidal energy are used to produce electricity.

Recognize that wind, geothermal, and tidal energy can be developed only on areas with the proper geologic or geographical features.

Describe the use of solar energy in passive heating systems, active heating systems, and the generation of electricity.

Recognize that fuelwood is a major source of energy in many parts of the less-developed world and that fuelwood shortages are common.

Describe the potential and limitations of biomass conversion and waste incineration as a source of energy.

Recognize that energy conservation can significantly reduce our need for additional energy sources.