Unit 3; Energy & Env Pollution; Non-Renewable Resources

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  • Non-Renewable Resources
    • reformed over a long period of time
    • Advantages
      • high energy density; small amount releases a lot
      • resources too exploit are large BUT hard to access
      • Tech used is more developed than tech for renewabls
    • Disadvantage
      • Finite: reforming is too slow to replace what humans use
      • environmental damage from extraction & combustion
      • political tensions if countries have insufficient supplies
      • prices will rise as deposits are depleted
    • Oil & Natural Gas Formation
      • heat & pressure drive out other substances, leaving carbon
      • died, sunk, covered in silt, decayed anaerobically
      • formed from aquatic organism remains
    • Fossil Fuel Extraction
      • Coal
        • deep shaft mining more efficient but problem of drainage, subsidence & large machine use
        • open cast mining affects more area but can't go as deep
      • Crude Oil
        • primary recovery
          • extraction when oil comes to surface under natural pressure
        • difficult to extract if deep, under water or viscous
      • Natural Gas
        • forced to surface by natural pressuer
    • Nuclear Power
      • environmental issues of radioactive waste
      • very high energy density
      • very little of what's mined is used
      • fossil fuel inputs
      • public opposition due to danger
      • needs high tech level
      • expensive construction
      • less waste produced
      • Types of Waste
        • High: need vitrification & encapsulation
        • Intermediate: shorter half lives
        • Low: sealed in polythene bags

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