Compare the environmental effects of coal and uranium as power sources
What will be an ideal response?
Coal and uranium are both mined, which creates landscape damage and harmful tailings that can contaminate waterways. Uranium generates more power than coal by weight or volume, so less of it needs to be mined. Combusting coal for electricity emits sulfur and nitrogen oxides that contribute to acidic deposition. Coal burning also emits particulate matter, which threatens human health and creates carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change. Even considering all the steps involved in building plants and generating power, researchers from the International Atomic Energy Agency calculated that nuclear power lowers emissions 4 to 150 times below fossil fuel combustion. Because of safety regulations, nuclear power plants are safer for workers than coal-fired power plants. However, uranium from nuclear power plants creates radioactive waste that must be disposed of and sequestered for centuries. Also, people fear the catastrophic consequences of accidents and sabotage to plants.
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Which of the following are effects of ozone depletion?
a. increased photochemical smog b. reduced crop yields c. immune system suppression d. reduced phytoplankton populations e. all of these answers
A cratonic sequence is distinguished by a ____
A)transgressive phase followed by regressive phase B)regressive phase followed by a transgressive phase C)regressive phase only D)transgressive phase only E)lack of any sequence
The largest portion of atmospheric gases is ________
A) nitrogen B) oxygen C) argon D) ozone E) sulfur
Desert pavement is:
a. a special type of asphalt that won't soften in the desert sun. b. made of a thick caprock. c. a thin layer of stones that overlies fine-grained sediments below. d. the salt crust on some playa surfaces. e. the salt crust that forms on some desert sand dunes.