Escola Secundária de Loulé
The combustion of fossil fuels has a daily presence in our lifestyle. Though many people use fossil fuel combustion in their kitchens or for heating, most of the atmospheric pollution generated by fossil fuel combustion is produced in industrial uses, like refineries or thermoelectric production facilities. In the big cities the combustion of gasoline and diesel by cars and other transportation means represents only 40% of the total combustion of fossil fuels.
The combustion gases released are essentially water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2). Of these gases only CO2 emission is hazardous because it is responsible for global warming. Because combustions are seldom complete there are other species like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and lead are often produced. Carbon monoxide is toxic and the nitrogen and sulfur oxides are responsible for acid rains.
The use of fossil fuel combustion is therefore environmentally hazardous and since it is the major source of energy for electricity production and for transportation, one should make a very rational use of electricity and of transportation that implies fossil fuel consumption. Industrial units that use combustion of fossil fuels and automobiles should also use catalytic converters that reduce the emissions of toxic and hazardous components.
Though the emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen and sulfur oxides can be reduced by the use of catalysts, carbon dioxide is always emitted. Therefore fossil fuel combustion always leads to global warming.
Global warming is mostly a consequence of CO2 emissions in fossil fuel combustions (Image source: Wikipedia)
Beside the problems associated to the production, use and transportation of crude and its derivatives is related to the atmospheric pollution made by its combustion or transformation or else to accidents. The accidents with tankers aren’t as rare as one should expect. Huge amounts of oil are often released, generating huge pollution marks on the water, that are known as black tides.
Most of the accidents that generated black tides were consequence of accidents with oil tankers. Many of them were the consequence of the aging of the tankers or of inadequate crew training. Black tides are a major concern because they kill fauna and flora in a way that takes several years to be surpassed. The following table presents some examples of major black tides in recent past.
The combustion gases released are essentially water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2). Of these gases only CO2 emission is hazardous because it is responsible for global warming. Because combustions are seldom complete there are other species like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and lead are often produced. Carbon monoxide is toxic and the nitrogen and sulfur oxides are responsible for acid rains.
Acid rains have made the destruction of many forests in central Europe (Image source: Wikipedia)
The use of fossil fuel combustion is therefore environmentally hazardous and since it is the major source of energy for electricity production and for transportation, one should make a very rational use of electricity and of transportation that implies fossil fuel consumption. Industrial units that use combustion of fossil fuels and automobiles should also use catalytic converters that reduce the emissions of toxic and hazardous components.
Though the emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen and sulfur oxides can be reduced by the use of catalysts, carbon dioxide is always emitted. Therefore fossil fuel combustion always leads to global warming.
Global warming is mostly a consequence of CO2 emissions in fossil fuel combustions (Image source: Wikipedia)
Beside the problems associated to the production, use and transportation of crude and its derivatives is related to the atmospheric pollution made by its combustion or transformation or else to accidents. The accidents with tankers aren’t as rare as one should expect. Huge amounts of oil are often released, generating huge pollution marks on the water, that are known as black tides.
Most of the accidents that generated black tides were consequence of accidents with oil tankers. Many of them were the consequence of the aging of the tankers or of inadequate crew training. Black tides are a major concern because they kill fauna and flora in a way that takes several years to be surpassed. The following table presents some examples of major black tides in recent past.
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