University:
Sam Houston State University
Course:
GEOL 1405 | Geologic & Environmental Hazards
Academic year:

2019
Views:

157

Pages:

12
Author:

Giselle A.

Spills Don’t Just Occur in Oceans • Land spills can occur from the thousands of landbased rigs, pump-jacks, storage containers, refineries, and transport vehicles. • Spills on agricultural-producing land and irrigation sources usually result in costly clean-up and containment procedures. • Often spills can alter the land’s ability to produce, rendering the soil unusable for decades or longer. • To report an oil spill, contact the EPA at (800) 424-8802 Land Spills Can Be Devastating and Permanent! Leaking Oil Tank Damage Wheat crop fails to grow where Oil Production rig once stood – 30 yrs ago Sludge pits, storage tanks, fuel tank leaks, as well as numerous waste products from oil and gas production can devastate the soil’s ability to grow marketable crops in the US. Pipeline Right-of-Ways • Areas where pipelines are buried cannot be used to grow crops. • Strips of land are usually of considerable length. • Blowouts can occur. Drilling for Petroleum Demands Extreme Safety Measures • As more workers are needed for increased supplies, an increase in injuries can be expected if safety measures are not strictly enforced. Burning Petroleum Products Produces Immense Amounts of Air Pollution • Smog • Human Illness • Crop failures • Acid Rain Acid Rain (an Agricultural Threat) Explained via Diagram: Acid Rain Damage is Already Occurring What Threat Does Acid Rain Pose? • Calcium, a necessary element for soil filtration, is depleted by acid rain. • The loss of calcium can harm plant growth and result in plant die-offs. • Heavy metals (such as aluminum) can be absorbed by plants due to calcium depletion, resulting in diminished growth rates and plant die-offs. • Aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. • Research also links acid rain to climate changes. Another Energy Source From Underground, but not from Fossils • As you recall, Fossil fuels are NON-renewable, and are found beneath the Earth’s crust. • Fossil fuels do not burn clean. • Uranium is also mined from beneath the Earth’s crust, and by controlling a reaction called “fission”, tremendous heat can be achieved. • Supplies are limited, but the energy it can create burns much cleaner than fossil fuels. Non-Renewable Energy Short Review • Coal – several types, must be mined, acid rain, transportation expensive. • Oil – Hazardous retrieval and refining process, most is imported (costly), spills, acid rain. • Natural Gas – Same problems of production as oil, high transportation costs. • Nuclear (Uranium) – public acceptance a problem, dangerous waste, plants are expensive to build. Fossil Fuels and Global Warming • Burning these fuels produce excessive amounts of greenhouse gases (CO2) (source: US EPA). • Failing to reduce these emissions may likely cause our global climate to change … and if it changes, agriculture will definitely change. The average temp has risen 1.6 deg F since 1880, and at a steep rate since 1960. Thermal Depolymerization • Process was invented in the mid 1990’s. • Uses heat (steam) and pressure to convert existing trash into short-chain hydrocarbons, used as fuels. • During the process, all disease-producing organisms are destroyed. • In 2003 a full-scale plant went into operation in Carthage, Missouri, more are being constructed.