Management of Natural Resources

HAZARDS CAUSED BY BURNING COAL AND PETROLEUM BASED FUELS

Environmental hazards

Carbon dioxide is released when fossil fuels are burnt. It is the main gas responsible for global warming causing increase in Earth’s temperature, melting of polar ice caps and flooding in low-lying areas.

Acid Rain

Fossil fuels when burnt also release sulphur dioxide which causes acid rain resulting in destruction of crops and monuments made of bricks and marbles.

Impact on aquatic life

Drowning of oil tankers and ships cause water pollution in seas and oceans due to oil spills. This is destructive to aquatic life and causes imbalance in the ecosystem.

Non renewability

The fossil fuel reserves are limited and with the current rate of extraction, they are expected to be depleted within the next 30-40 years.

EFFECTS OF BURNING FOSSIL FUELS

When coal, and petroleum based fuels (like petrol and diesel) are burnt, the products of combustion are : Carbon dioxide, Water Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen oxides. And if combustion takes place in an insufficient supply of air (or oxygen), then some carbon monoxide is also produced.

• Sulphur dioxide attacks the lungs causing bronchitis and other diseases.
• Carbon monoxide is a very poisonous gas. If carbon monoxide gets into our blood stream, it stops red blood cells from carrying oxygen from lungs to the rest of the body causing suffocation. Too much carbon monoxide causes death.
• Increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causing increased greenhouse effect leading to global warming.

NEED FOR CAUTIOUS USE OF FOSSIL FUELS

We need to use fossil fuels (coal and petroleum) judiciously because:

• Fossil fuels (coal and petroleum) left in the earth are limited which will get exhausted soon, and
• The products of combustion of fossil fuels (coal and petroleum) pollute the environment.