1 introduction to environmental science. 2 objectives 1.to identify various sources of renewable and...

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Introduction to Introduction to

Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Science

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ObjectivesObjectives

1. To identify various sources of renewable and nonrenewable energies

2. To understand the basics of alternative fuels

3. To recognize the importance of recycling goods

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EnergyEnergy

• Energy is the ability to do work or vigorous activity

• Two types of energy exist– kinetic – energy in

motion– potential – stored

energy

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• There are two categories for energy sources:– renewable– nonrenewable – energy being rapidly used

but not easily recreated• Energy can neither be created nor destroyed• Energy can change form

EnergyEnergy

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Renewable Energy SourcesRenewable Energy Sources

Biomass Energy• Biomass is organic material

which has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy

• Biomass fuels are made from natural, renewable sources including wood, agricultural waste and garbage

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Geothermal energy

• Derived from earth’s core• Eliminates pollution produced with use

of fossil fuels

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Renewable Renewable Energy Energy

SourcesSources

Hydropower• Energy from moving water• Most often used• Almost free, has no waste products or pollutants• Affects natural habitats and changes

environments

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Solar• Energy converted from the sun into thermal or

electrical energy• Drawbacks include large amount of needed

space and matter in which the energy reaches the earth’s surface

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Wind• Used to generate mechanical power or

electricity• Wind turbines convert wind’s kinetic energy

into usable forms of energy• Wind turbines cause no pollution, but can be

very noisy

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Nonrenewable Energy SourcesNonrenewable Energy Sources

Nuclear• Derived from atoms• Process of producing nuclear energy includes

splitting of uranium atoms• Disadvantages include production of

radioactive waste

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Nonrenewable Energy SourcesNonrenewable Energy Sources

Fossil Fuels• Formed over millions and millions of years by

action of heat from the Earth’s core and pressure from rock and soil on the remains of dead plants and animals

• These sources include oil, natural gas and coal

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Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels

Coal• Used to generate

more than 50% of all electricity produced in U.S.

• When burned, coal emits pollutants into the air

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Fossil FuelsFossil FuelsOil• Every year the U.S.

produces less oil• Every year the demand for

oil increases• When burned, oil emits

carbon dioxide into the air• Drilling for oil also has

negative effects on the environment

CO2

CO2

CO2

CO2

CO2

CO2

CO2

CO2

CO2

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Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels

Natural Gas• More than 50% of U.S. homes

are heated by natural gas• Advantages:– produces relatively few

pollutants – has fewer emissions than

coal or oil• Has very little ash emission

after burning

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Conservation of EnergyConservation of Energy

What are What are alternative alternative

fuels?fuels?

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Alternative FuelsAlternative Fuels

• Alternative fuels can be used in place of gasoline and diesel fuels made from petroleum

• According to the Department of Energy, the following are classified as alternative fuels:– biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen,

methanol, natural gas, propane, p-series, solar energy

• Using alternative fuels can help reduce U.S. dependence on imported petroleum and improve air quality

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Biodiesel• Diesel-replacement fuel• Made from natural,

renewable sources such as new and used vegetable oils and animal fats

• Cleaner source of diesel fuels

Diesel

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Electricity• Mechanical power can be derived directly from

electricity instead of through combustion• Advantages:– no emissions– no pollution

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Alternative Alternative FuelsFuels

Ethanol• Alcohol-based alternative fuel• Produced by fermenting and distilling starch

crops (barley and wheat) which have been converted into simple sugars

• Used in transportation market• Advantages:– reduces dependence on foreign oil– reduces air pollution– renewable fuel

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Hydrogen• H2

• Can be produced in nearly unlimited quantities

• Renewable • Emits no toxins or

pollutants

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Methanol• Wood-alcohol fuel• Similar to ethanol in chemical

structure• As Fuel Cell Technology advances,

Electric Vehicles will improve• Will become an important carrier of

hydrogen in fuel cells

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Natural Gas• Mixture of hydrocarbons• Produced from gas wells or in

conjunction with crude oil production

• Clean burning and produces fewer harmful emissions than gasoline


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Propane• Liquefied petroleum gas• Readily available to the general

public and produces fewer vehicle emissions than gasoline

• Produced as a by-product of crude oil refining and natural gas processing

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P-Series• This fuel is an assortment of natural gas

liquids, ethanol and a biomass-derived co-solvent (MTHF)

• Made mostly from renewable resources• Most elements are domestically-produced

renewable products• Benefits include:– energy security – cleaner environment

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Alternative Alternative FuelsFuels

Solar Energy• Electricity derived

from the sun• 100% renewable• No emissions

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Recycling FactsRecycling Facts

• On average, 4.4 pounds of waste are produced per day per person

• Americans will throw away 600 times his or her adult weight in garbage in a lifetime

• Each adult will leave a legacy of 90,000 pounds of trash for his/her children

• Every Sunday, the United States wastes about 90% of our recyclable newspapers

• This wastes about 500,000 trees

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• Do your research!– surf the net and learn about your

community’s recycling program– call and find locations and details of

recycling in your town– recycling is easier than you think

• Educate yourself!– learn which products can and cannot be

recycled– separate your garbage to make recycling

easier

AnswersAnswers

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Commonly Recycled MaterialsCommonly Recycled Materials

Plastic• Most are recyclable• The industry has developed a

code system to identify various types of plastics

• Codes may be found at the bottom of plastic containers

• Types 1 & 2 are most common found in container form

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Glass• Glass bottles must not be mixed

with other types of glass, such as:– window glass– light bulbs–mirrors– Pyrex®– auto glass

• Broken glass is very difficult to sort

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Aluminum cans and foil• Empty cans and rinse out to

eliminate odors• Separate from other

containers• Some recycling centers

accept aluminum foil

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Paper• Recyclable paper includes:– newspaper, phone books, mixed paper,

office paper and junk mail can be recycled if sorted properly

• Non-recyclable papers include:– waxed paper, waxed cardboard milk and

juice containers, oil soaked paper, carbon paper, sanitary products or tissues, stickers and plastic laminated paper such as pet food bags and fast food wrappers

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Motor Oil• Used motor oil is considered

hazardous waste because it contains heavy metals and other toxic substances

• Dangerous to humans and environment if not disposed of properly

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Things You Can Do. . .Things You Can Do. . .

• Use products with highly recycled content

• Use a canvas bag or backpack at the store rather than plastic or paper bags

• Three R’s:– reduce the amount of

packaging you buy– reuse what packaging you can– recycle what you cannot reuse

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Environmental Science AssessmentEnvironmental Science Assessment

1. _____ is the ability to do work or vigorous activity.

A. Biomass C. Kinetic

B. Energy D. Potential

2. Which is the main drawback of using solar energy?

A. Harmful emissions C. Radioactive waste

B. Limited sourcesD. Area needed

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Environmental Science Assessment

3. More than 50% of all electricity produced in the U.S. is generated by coal. (T/F)

4. Which is not an alternative fuel?

A. Oil C. Hydrogen

B. Biodiesel D. P-Series

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5. Broken glass can be easily sorted at recycling centers. (T/F)

6. Which fuel is produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops?

A. Methanol C. Propane

B. Ethanol D. Hydrogen

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7. Which of the following recyclable materials is considered hazardous?

A. Paper C. Motor Oil

B. Plastic D. Aluminum

8. Which of the following is NOT one of the three R’s?

A. Recycle C. Reuse

B. Rerun D. Reduce

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AcknowledgementsEnergy Quest

www.energyquest.ca.govAlternative Fuels Data Center

www.adfc.doe.govLouisiana Dept. of Natural Resources

www.leeric.lsu.eduThe Internet Consumer Recycling Guide

www.obviously.com/recycle/REACH – Recycling Education Activating Change

www.reachrecycling.orgEnergy Information Administration Kid’s Page

www.eia.doe.gov/kids/

Veronica Sparks – Production CoordinatorJennifer Donaldson – Graphics Coordinator

Geoff Scott – Production ManagerG.W. Davis – Executive Producer

MMIII, MMIVCEV Multimedia, Ltd.

1 introduction to environmental science. 2 objectives 1.to identify various sources of renewable and...

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