U2L4: Nonrenewable Resources

Coal is a sedimentary rock formed from the remains of dead plants at the bottom of ancient swamps.

Coal mining can involve removing soil and rocks or creating deep mines.

These processes can destroy landscapes and pollute water supplies.

Anthracite is a type of coal

Some fossil fuels are gases that became trapped in rock formations.

Methane is the main component of natural gas.

Natural gas burns more cleanly than other fossil fuels. However, it does produce carbon dioxide upon burning, and leaks can be dangerous.

Petroleum means “rock oil.” It formed from the remains of single-celled aquatic organisms that lived long ago.

After it is mined, it is separated into fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. 

Transporting oil can result in spills that pollute the environment and harm wildlife. Burning petroleum produces pollutants (smog).

Splitting the nuclei of a kg of uranium atoms releases thousands of times more energy than burning the same mass of coal.

Nuclear energy is nonrenewable b/c minerals in Earth’s crust can't be replaced.

Nuclear power plants produce harmful radioactive wastes that must be safely stored.