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Coal (fuel source)

Coal has been the primary fossil fuel since Native American times. Once coal companies started in the United States in the early to mid 1800s, men from England (Great Britain now United Kingdom), Scotland, and other European countries were recruited to come to the US. Local coal miners, especially in the bituminous coal field (Pittsburgh PA Coal Field which extended through SW PA, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky) viewed these immigrants as "foreigners" and demanded companies only hire "practical" (experienced) miners; however, this idea formed solely because of language barriers and other biases, since overseas miners were very experienced in their home countries. Coal, as a fossil fuel, has been continuously mined in the US from the mid-1800s to the present.

3,543 Questions

Is there coal mining in Texas?

Yes, there is coal mining in Texas, particularly in the northern and central regions of the state. Texas produces lignite coal, which is used for electricity generation in power plants within the state.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of coal mining?




Coal mining has many very bad cons and drawbacks. For one, it is highly dangerous. Coal mines have been known to collapse in on workers, trapping or killing them. The dust and dirt and materials in the mines and air around the mines can be polluting and can be very harmful when breathed in or on the skin, especially for longer periods of time. Coal is a finite resource. It take millions of years to replenish itself. With the limited amounts constantly being mined and used for energy, the resources of coal around the world are depleting. If mining continues, eventually there will be pretty much no more coal left. The effects of burning and using the mined coal for energy also cause pollution and are bad for the environment.

What are the environmental impacts of coal?

Release of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide:Burning coal releases long held CO2 which has been hidden underground for millions of years. This disrupts the carbon cycle and is causing global warming.

Air pollution: Burning coal causes smog, soot, acid rain, and toxic air emissions.

Wastes generated: Ash, sludge, toxic chemicals, and waste heat create more environmental problems.

Fuel supply: Mining, transporting, and storing coal levels mountains and pollutes the land, water, and air.

Water use: Coal plants need billions of gallons of cooling water and harm wildlife.

A:Coal pollutes when it is mined, transported to the power plant, stored, and burned. A:Coal is a fossil fuel. Combustion (burning) combines coal carbon with atmospheric oxygen, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere. Humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations from 280 ppm prior to the industrial revolution to 400 ppm today, and we will exceed 500 ppm before 2050 at current rates. A:Coal companies decapitate mountains, bulldozing trees and killing

animals, destroying watersheds and polluting streams.

Coal companies create acid rain, as sulphur compounds are created.

Acid rain kills trees.

Coal mining results in the deaths of miners, from black lung disease in the early days to cave ins and asphyxiation today.

A:Coal affects the environment at many stages of its use, both mining and consumption. Most coal companies and coal users have implemented steps to reduce potential environmental harm. A:A summary of the problems which may be caused at each stage are as follows:

Coal Mining:

The removal of coal from the ground either by mining, open pit mining or strip mining has several problems. These are related in all types of mining to the removal of the existing ecosystems to access the coal, the pumping of acidic mine waters into local watercourses, and the disposal of scrap rock.

Coal Fired Equipment

Aside from the obvious emission of SOx and NOx which create acid rain problems, the emission of carbon dioxide which impacts global warming, and the emission of particulates to the air which cause soiling problems, coal burning emits radiation to the air from Uranium contained in the coal, thermally and chemically pollutes the waters used for plant cooling, and creates disposal problems with fly and bottom ash, water softener solids and air scrubber solids.

A:Coal is bad because:
  • it is non renewable fuel
  • its burning emits carbon dioxide gas which causes global warming
  • its burning releases many harmful sulphuric gases which are a cause of acid rain
  • carbonic acid from coal consumption increases ocean acidification
  • its burning causes diseases related to respiration.
A:It can pollute rivers, lakes, and drinking water A:Coal is a cheap source of energy but is bad for the earth. Coal mines must be

dug deeper and deeper, tearing the land and destroying soil. Coal burning

releases poisons in the air which cause acid rain and harm EVERYTHING living on earth.

How can you minimize the effects of coal mining?

  • Two areas of coal mining result in health and environmental damage:

a) Risk to miners

b) Risk of mining activities to environment

The related links show why mining is considered the second most dangerous profession in the US. Respiratory problems and accidents caused by mine cave ins are considered the highest risk. To lessen the danger, use of respirators and better construction of cells (cribbing) is needed.

The most environmentally damaging mining activity is open pit mining, where there is high risk of air pollution and through land removal, alteration of the ecosystem. Through the permitting process, it is possible that restrictions can be placed on mines to lessen the damage.

See related links

  • In the UK coal mining has been known to cause industrial injuries such as industrial deafness, vibration white finger and black lung disease. These are caused from vibrating power tools and coal dust inhalation. The risks to health of coal mining have been made by improving ventilation and breathing apparatus and improving the machinery used to mine the coal. To see the types of disease mining can cause and how workers can claim compensation in the UK see the related link entitled "miners injury compensation"

What are the enverionmental concerns with obtaining coal?

To name a few: Mercury content (toxic, obviously), carbon dioxide output, carbon monoxide output (also toxic), nitrogenous and sulferous outputs (both, again, toxic).

Why are these concerns? They trap heat in the atmosphere (carbon dioxide, especially), causing global warming, they cause severe respiratory problems to people and wildlife living anywhere within several hundred miles of a coal-fired plant, the emissions and cost of mining, refining, and transport of coal are extremely high against the overall benefit from burning it for energy, the mercury often gets into local water supplies, affecting, most predominantly, fish.

Lake Michigan is a perfect example of what high mercury levels can do to a fish population. Due to the biomagnification effect (starting from the lowest end of the food chain, and magnifying the concentration of a substance as you go up), and the fact that most fish that are eaten are predatory, and are a good distance from the bottom of the food chain, the mercury concentration is high. It has been suggested, through several studies, that one not eat more than one fish from Lake Michigan per YEAR due to the mercury content, lest one get affected by the toxicity.

Who is the person who extract coal from the ground?

A coal miner is the individual who extracts coal from the ground. They work in underground mines or surface mines to extract coal for energy production and other industrial uses.

What states does coal mining take place in?

Wyoming, Utah,Montana and Colorado have large mining operations. Eastern coal mining includes Pennsylvania, WV, KY, VA- and other states as well.

Why burning Coal Oil and Gas is effecting the earths climate?

Burning coal, oil, and gas releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat and cause the Earth's temperature to rise, leading to global warming and climate change. This process disrupts natural ecosystems, contributes to extreme weather events, and endangers wildlife and human communities.

Is coal easy to find?

Yes, coal is a readily available fossil fuel found in many regions around the world. It is typically found in underground mines or through surface mining methods.

How does a coal power station affect the environment?

Coal power stations produce large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which contribute to global warming and climate change. Additionally, they release pollutants like sulfur dioxide and heavy metals that can contaminate air, soil, and water, leading to health problems for humans and wildlife, and contributing to acid rain and water pollution. The mining and transportation of coal also have negative environmental impacts, such as deforestation, habitat destruction, and landscape degradation.

Does coal mining destroy land?

Yes, coal mining can destroy land through activities such as removing vegetation, disturbing soil and ecosystems, and creating areas of waste and pollutants. This can lead to habitat loss, soil erosion, water pollution, and disruption of local flora and fauna. Efforts are being made to mitigate these impacts through better reclamation and restoration practices.

What does coal do to damage the environment?

Coal is a chemically complex fuel. Whenever it is burned, gases are given off and particles of ash, called "fly ash," are released. The sulfur in coal combines with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide, which can be a major source of air pollution if emitted in large enough quantities.

It can affect people breathing problems and be very dangerous in the future

How long is the average life of a coal miner?

The average life expectancy of a coal miner can vary depending on factors such as working conditions, safety practices, and exposure to health risks in the mines. However, research has shown that coal miners have a higher risk of health issues such as respiratory diseases, so taking measures to prioritize safety and health is crucial for their well-being.

How long will the world's supplies of coal last?

Estimates vary but coal reserves are currently expected to last around 150 years at current consumption rates. However, increased demand or improved extraction technologies could affect this estimate.

Chalk and coal are examples of a kind of sedimentary rock that is called?

Chalk and coal are examples of biochemical sedimentary rocks. Biochemical sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and compression of organic remains such as shells, coral, or plant material.

What is the environmental impact of using coal?

Using coal for energy production releases greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Coal mining can also lead to habitat destruction, air and water pollution, and health issues for both humans and wildlife. Overall, the environmental impact of using coal is significant and detrimental to the planet.

How do people dig up coal?

Coal mining involves using specialized machines and equipment to extract coal deposits from under the Earth's surface. Miners use drills, explosives, and other tools to access coal seams, which are then cut and removed using large machinery. The extracted coal is then transported to the surface for processing and distribution.

How does Coal mining affect the earth?

Coal mining can have significant environmental impacts on the earth. Activities like deforestation, water contamination, air pollution, and land subsidence are common issues associated with coal mining. Additionally, the release of greenhouse gases during the burning of coal contributes to global warming and climate change.

What are two ways to mine coal?

Coal is mined by two methods: surface or 'opencast' mining or underground or 'deep' mining.

The choice of mining method largely depends on the geology of the coal deposit. Underground mining currently accounts for a bigger share of world coal production than opencast; although in several important coal producing countries surface mining is more common.

How does coal affect our environment?

Burning coal releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. Mining coal can damage ecosystems through habitat destruction and water pollution. Coal combustion also releases pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which can cause air pollution and respiratory problems for humans and wildlife.

Another name for a coal deposit?

Vein and/or Peat (depending on reference, peat is the beginning form of coal).

Is coal clastic or non-clastic?

Coal is considered a non-clastic sedimentary rock because it forms from the compressed remains of plant material rather than from the deposition of rock fragments or grains.

What are coal deposits called?

Coal deposits are commonly referred to as coal seams or coal beds. These are layers of coal that are found buried beneath the Earth's surface.

Is coal intrusive?

No. Coal is a sedimentary rock formed from large amounts of plant remains being buried and compressed by the overlying sediments.

Only igneous rock can be said to be intrusive or extrusive.

What is BCM in coal mining term?

BCM in coal mining stands for Bank Cubic Meters. It is a unit of measurement used to quantify the volume of material excavated or extracted in its natural state from a coal deposit. This measurement excludes any voids or gaps between the material, providing an accurate representation of the actual volume mined.