Environmental Impact - Fossil Fuels (i) Name two examples of fossil fuels - Leaving Cert Geography - Question B - 2016

Burning fossil fuels has several significant impacts on the environment:

1. Air Pollution: The combustion of fossil fuels releases pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and particulate matter into the atmosphere. These contribute to respiratory problems and are major components of smog.

2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The burning of fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide (CO₂), a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Increased CO₂ levels in the atmosphere lead to climate change, affecting weather patterns, sea levels, and biodiversity.

3. Acid Rain: Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released during combustion can combine with water vapor to form sulfuric and nitric acids, leading to acid rain. This can damage ecosystems, harm aquatic life, and deteriorate buildings.

4. Resource Depletion: Extraction of fossil fuels can lead to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. As these resources are finite, reliance on them contributes to environmental degradation.

5. Ocean Acidification: Increased atmospheric CO₂ can dissolve in oceans, leading to lower pH levels. This affects marine life, particularly organisms with calcium carbonate shells, such as corals and shellfish.

6. Land Degradation: The extraction processes for coal, oil, and natural gas can lead to land degradation and various environmental disturbances, including deforestation and soil erosion.

7. Water Contamination: Fossil fuel extraction and transportation can lead to spills and contamination of water sources, affecting freshwater ecosystems and drinking water quality.

In conclusion, the impact of burning fossil fuels on the environment is profound, affecting air quality, climate stability, and biodiversity.