Botkin & Keller: Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet- 8th Ed.

Guided Reading: Chapter 16: Alternative Energy and The Environment

Read: Using Wind Power in ew Ways !or an "ld Appli#ation$
1: How was the voyage of the Beluga SkySails different than traditional industrial ship voyages?
Skysails did no use a set of fixed masts with traditional sails that had to be monitored constantly and
their settings changed with each variation in the wind.
Introduction to lternative Energ! Sources
: !ossil fuels supply approximately """#$"""" of the energy consumed by people
%: &hat are the two types of non-rene#a$le alternative energ! sources? Why are they considered to
be non-renewable?
'uclear energy and deep earth geothermal energy. (t is considered nonrenewable because heat can be
extracted from )arth faster than it is naturally replenished.
*: &hat is low-density, near-surface geothermal energy?
(s stored in all known reserves of coal+ oil+ and natural gas on )arth
,: &hat are $io%uels made from?
-re made from biomass .crops+ wood and so forth/
0: &hat is the definition of renewable energy?
1hey all derive from the sun2s energy and regenerated by the sun within a time period useful to people.
Solar Energ!
3: How much solar energy is e4ual to the energy stored in a all known reserves of coal+ oil and natural
gas on )arth?
1en weeks of solar energy.
5: &hat are passive solar energy systems? 6ive an example.
(t promotes cooling in hot weather and retaining heat in cold weather. 7ne method is overhangs on
building to block summer sunight by allowing winder sunlight to penetrate and warm rooms.
#: &hat are a#tive solar energy systems? 6ive an example.
1hey re4uire mechanical power+ like electric pumps to circulate air+ water+ or other fluids from solar
collectors. )8: generators
1$: &hat are solar collectors? &hat are they used for? How do they work?
1o provide space heating or hot water are usually flat+ glass covered plates over a black background
where a heating absorbing fluid is circulated through tubes. )8: Solar panels
11: &hat are &hotovoltaics? &hat are they made out of? )xplain how they work.
9onverts sunlight directly into electricity. 1he system use solar cells made of thin layers of
semiconductors. Solar panels.
1: &hat are solar thermal generators? How do they work?
!ocus sunlight onto water holding containers. 1he water boils and is used to run such machines as
conventional steam driven electrical generators.
1%: &hat are some of the environmental concerns of solar energy?
1he large variety of metals+ glass+ plastics+ and fluids used in manufacturing and use of solar
e4uipment.
1*: &hat are %uel cells? How are they created?
-re highly efficient power generatig systems that produce electricity by combining fuel and oxygen in
an electrochemical reaction.
'ater Po#er
1,: &ater power has been around since when?
:oman )mpire
10: (o# much &o#er in the ;nited States is currently powered by hydroelectricity?
1$<
13: &hat is microh!dro&o#er? Where is this helpful?
(s site specific depending on local regualtions+ economic situations+ and hydrologic limitations. 9an be
used to generate either electrical power or mechanical power to run machinery.
15: &hat are the environmental $ene%its of hydroelectricity?
9lean power ina nd it re4uires no burining of fuel+ does not pollute atmophere+ produces no radioactive
or other waste+ and is efficient.

1#: &hat are the environmental conse)uences of hydroelectricity?
=arge dams and reservoirs flood large tracts of land that could have had other uses+ dams block the
migration of some fish+ dams trap sediment that would otherwise reach the sea and eventually replenish
the sand on the beach.
*cean Energ!
$: )xplain how we can harness tidal &o#er.
- dam is built across the entrance to a bay or an estuary creating a reservoir. -s the tide rises water is
initially prevented from entering the bay landward of the dam. 1hen when ther is sufficient water to run
the turbines+ the dam is open and water flows through it into the reservoir turning the blades of the
turbines and generating electricity.
1: &hat are some of the environmental impacts of tidal power?
>am changes the hydrology of a bay or an estury which can adversely affect the vegetation and
wildlife.
'ind Po#er
: &hat is the maor problem with using wind power?
1hey kill birds
%: How are winds produced?
&hen differential heating of earth2s surface creates air mass with differing heat contents and densities.
*: How does topography influence winds? )xplain.
(t affects wind2s direction+ velocity and duration because it blocks wind like mountains and hills.
,: &hich regions in the +nited States have the greatest potential for wind power development?
?acific northwest coast area and coastal region of the northeastern ;.S.
0: &hich country has the largest #ind energ! ca&acit! installed?
;.S
3: ,odern #ind tur$ines are $ig- as much as ""3$"""" m high- as tall as a ""%""" stor!
$uilding- and have a generating ca&acit! o% more than ..,$$.... #atts. /his is enough electricit!
%or ....... modern +.S. homes.
5: &hat are the disadvantages to wind power for the environment?
@ills birds and makes area ugly by blocking scenary
#: &hat is the future outlook for wind energy generation?
(t can be a maAor energy supplier.
Bio%uels
%$: &hat are the % categories of biofuels?
!irewood+ organic waste and crops grown to be converted into li4uid fuels.
%1: How many people worldwide still use wood as their primary source for energy?
1 billion
%: &hat are some of the benefits of using biofuels?
:educed emissions of greenhouse gases and fewer pollutants released.
%%: &hat are the environmental concerns with the using of biofuels?
:e4uires a lot of fertiliBer+ pesticides and pollutes and degrades land.
0eothermal Energ!
%*: What are the t#o t!&es o% geothermal energ! and how do they differ?
>eep earth high density and shallow energy low density. 1hey differ because deep earth uses energy
within earth and shallow uses the sun.

%,: How many people worldwide depend on geothermal as their energy source?
*$ million.
%0: What type of location is ideal for highCdensity geothermal energy? !ive an e"ample#
High density geothermal is hot water transfers. )8: 6eyser 6eothermal !ield

%3: &here is low-density geothermal energy mostly found? Why?
=ow density. (n groundwater because it is cool.
%5: &hat are the PR*S and 1*2S of using geothermal energy?
?:7S: renewable+ not very large scale of transportation+ doesn2t produce atmospheric pollutants
97'S: thermal pollution+ emissions of gases+ disturbance of land.
%#: &hat types of government incentives might encourage use of alternative energy sources? &ould
their widespread use affect our economic and social environment?
(f people make more energy than needed they get a check from the government paying them for doing
so. (t would affect our economic environment because more people would be able to spend more
money thus helping the economy to grow.
Chapter %1&' u#lear Energy and the Environment
1: How much of the world$s electricity do nuclear power plant provide?
13<
: (n the +nited States- nuclear &o#er &lants &roduce a$out ""$""< o% the countr!3s
electricit! and a$out """5""< o% the total energ! used.
%: 1he nuclear power plants in 4rance provide ""5$"""< of the countryDs total energy.
'hat is 2uclear Energ!5
*: &hat is nuclear energy?
1he energy contained in an atom2s nucleus.
,: &hat is the difference between fission and fusion?
!issionC splitting of atomic nuclei
fusion E fusing or combining of atomic nuclei
0: 'uclear reactors use """%ission"""""" 6%usion or %ission57 and whi#h produ#t as a source of
radioactivity? .......uranium o8ide.............
3: Which type of %ranium is used for nuclear power plants?
;ranium %5+ uranium %,
5: &hat does it mean that the ;ranium is enriched?
(t increases concentration of uranium %, from $.3 E %<
#: &hat is a nuclear meltdown?
:efers to a nuclear accident in which the coolant system fails+ allowing the nuclear fuel to become so
hot that it forms a molten mass that breaches the containment of the reactor and contaminates the
outside environment with radioactivity.
1$: :eactors that use ordinary water as the coolant are called: ......light #ater
reactors..............
11: >raw and label a diagram below to explain the nuclear power plant setCup:
1loser Look: Radioactive 9eca!
1: &hat is a radioisotope?
- form of a chemical element that spontaneously undergoes radioactivity decay.
1%: &hat is radioactive decay?
:adioisotope changes from one isotope to another and emits one or more kinds of radiation.
1*: &hat is a halfClife? &hat is the halfClife of ;ranium %,?
the time re4uired for one half of a given amount of the isotope to decay to another form. 3$$ million
years.
1,: >efine the following types of nuclear radiation: &'"plain the safety measures needed when
using each(
-lpha ?article: consists of two proton sand two neutrons and has the greatest mass of the three
types of radiation. 1hey can trace approximately *C5 cm before they stop. 1hey can2t damage
living cells unless they originate very close to the cells
F Geta ?article: decay occurs when one of the protons or neutrons in the nucleus of an isotope
spontaneously changes. 1hey travel farther through air than the more massive alpha particles
but are blocked by even moderate shielding such as a thin sheet of metal or a block of wood.
F 6amma :ays: when it decays a gamma ray+ a type of electromagnetic radiation is emitted
from the isotope. 1hey travel the longest average distance. ?rotection from gamma rays re4uires
thick shielding such as about a meter of concrete or several cm of lead.
10: ;ranium goes through a radioactive decay chain to finally become which element?
:adioactive decay H lead $0
2uclear Energ! and the Environment
13: &hat are the maAor problems associated with the nuclear fuel cycle?
uranium mines and mills produce radioactive waste that can expose mining workers and the
local environment to radiation
uranium %, enrichment and the fabrication of fuel assemblies also produce radioactive waste
that must be carefully handled and disposed of
the power plant or reactor is the site most people are concerned about because it is the most
visible part of the cycle. (t is also the site of past accidents including partial meltdowns that
have released harmful radiation into the environment.
2uclear Radiation in the Environment- and it3s E%%ects on (uman (ealth
15: How does nuclear radiation effect ecosystems? '"plain and give an e"ample#
-ffects materials by entering pathways of mineral cycling and ecological food chains. -tomic fallout
in 1#,$s and 1#0$s the ;.S was testing nuclear weapons.
1#: :adiation is found naturally in what kind o% materials? !ive ) e"amples#
Soils and rocks. )8: granitic+ limestone
$: &here in the ;nited States are background radiation levels higher?
!lorida.
1: (n what ways are people exposed to radiation in their every day lives?
8rays+ flying planes+ cosmetic rays.
1loser Look: Radiation +nits and 9oses
: &hat is the commonly used unit for radioactive decay? Who is it named after?
>ecay ( curie named for marie 9urie
%: &hat is the S* unit for radioactive decay?
Gec4uerel which is one radioactive decay per second.
*: 'hen dealing #ith the environmental e%%ects o% radiation- #e are most interested in the actual
dose o% radiation delivered $! radioactivit!. /his dose is commonl! measured in terms o%
""rads""" and """rems""". In the international s!stem 6SI7- the units are ""grays"""" and
"""sieverts""""".
,: !or gamma rays+ the unit commonly used is the ....roentgen........ or in S( units+
....colum$i.......
0: &hat is the L9:; dose of radiation in humans?
, sieverts
3: What happened to the women who worked in the #atch %actories in the early 1#$$Ds?
&omen died of anemia or bone cancer from radium.
5: &hat are the health effects for workers in uranium mines?
High rates of lung cancer.
2uclear Po#er Plant ccidents
#: &hat is the current risk of a nuclear meltdown in the ;.S. according to the ;.S. 'uclear :egulatory
9ommission?
'uclear meltdown is 1 in 1$+$$$
/hree-,ile Island
%$: When did the event on 1hreeCIile (sland occur?
Iarch 5+ 1#3#
%1: Where is 1hreeCIile (sland located?
Harrisburg+ ?ennsylvania.
%: &hat were some of the societal issues associated with the incident at 1hreeCIile (sland?
!ear of another meltdown+ revealed problems to nuclear power.
1herno$!l
%%: Summari+e the events at 9hernobyl+ Soviet ;nion
the plant had high radiations. 1he cooling system failed and the temperatures raised up to %+$$$ degrees
9+ causing explosion and release clouds of radioactive particles.
%*: How many &eo&le died and how many people were diagnosed with acute radiation sickness?
%3 diagnosed with acute radiation and %1 died.
%,: How many people were e"posed to radiation in the days following the accident?
% million.
%0: &hat was the most common type of illness that resulted from the Japanese -Cbomb
survivors?
=eukemia.
%3: &hat was the most common type of illness that resulted from the 9hernobyl accident?
1hyroid cancer.
%5: &hat happened to the ecosystem around the affected area following the meltdown?
Kegetation had been killedLdamaged with 3 km
Radioactive-'aste ,anagement
%#: &hat is low-level radioactive waste? Where it is stored?
9ontains radioactivity in such low concentrations or 4uantities that it does not present a significant
environmental haBard if properly handled. Guried in near surface burial areas in which the hydrological
and geologic conditions were thought to severely limit the migration of radioactivity.
*$: &hat is transuranic #aste? How is it created?
&aste contaminated by manmade radioactive elements+ including plutonium+ americium and
einsteinium. 9reated by industraial trash contamination.
*1: &hat is high-level radioactive waste? Where is it stored?
9onsists of commercial and military spent nuclear fuelM uranium and plutonium derived from military
reprocessing and other radioactive nuclear weapons materials.
*: &hat and where is <ucca ,ountain? What was the plan with it?
- place where it was planned to bury nuclear waste H 'evada
?lan: dispose waste deep underground in Nucca Iountain.
*%: &hat are the sa%et! ha=ards associated with using Nucca Iountain to store nuclear waste?
?robability of volcanic eruption+ earth4uakes+ terrorist attacks+ and changes in storage environments.
/he 4uture o% 2uclear Energ!
**: How much ;ranium stores do we have left?
1$*
*,: &hat are the PR*S and 1*2S of using 'uclear ?ower?
?:7S: good for environment+ doesn2t emit gases+ increase availability of fuel.
97'S: nuclear power unlikely to have real impact on environmental problems+ can be used for
weapons
*0: &hat are breeder reactors?
>esigned to produce new nuclear fuel by transforming waste or lower grade uranium into fissionable
material.