Nonrenewable Resources Today More Than Any Other Time

Nonrenewable Resources Today, more than any other time in history, there is growing support to move away from nonrenewable resources towards developing renewable resources to meet current and future energy needs. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources that continue to negatively impact the environment. It is important to learn how these resources are formed since this process of formation is at the very heart of why fossil fuels are considered to be nonrenewable. Using the readings for this module, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet, research the nonrenewable resource assigned to you: Coal Natural gas Petroleum (oil) Note: You are assigned a resource based on the first initial of your last name. Last names beginning with A–J research coal, names beginning with K–R research natural gas, and names beginning S–Z research oil. Respond to the following: Describe how this nonrenewable resource was initially formed. Briefly explain where the major reserves of this nonrenewable resource are located and how it is extracted. Examine the environmental impact caused by the extraction process. Explain how this nonrenewable resource is used to produce energy, and identify the pollution problems that are caused from this energy source. Support your statements with appropriate examples and scholarly references. My last name starts with V so mine would be oil- this is due tomorrow,

Paper For Above instruction

Oil, also known as petroleum, is a vital nonrenewable resource that has significantly influenced global energy production. Its formation is a result of complex geological processes that span millions of years, involving the decay of ancient organic material. This paper explores the formation, reserves, extraction methods, environmental impacts, and pollution issues associated with oil, providing a comprehensive understanding of this critical resource.

Formation of Oil

Oil formation begins with the accumulation of organic matter—primarily zooplankton and phytoplankton—in ancient marine environments. When these organisms die, their remains settle on the ocean floor, where they become buried under layers of sediments. Over geological time, heat and pressure transform this organic-rich sediment into kerogen, a waxy substance. With continued heat exposure at depths of approximately 2 to 4 kilometers, kerogen undergoes chemical changes through a process called catagenesis, eventually converting into crude oil. The entire process can take millions of years, which is why oil is considered a nonrenewable resource (Tissot & Welte, 1978; Vaughan, 2011).

Major Reserves and Extraction

The world's largest reserves of oil are concentrated in regions such as the Middle East, including countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran, which possess extensive oil-rich basins. North America, particularly the United States and Canada, also holds significant reserves, especially in the form of shale oil. Extraction methods depend on the nature and location of the reserves. Conventional oil is primarily extracted through drilling wells, where reservoirs are tapped into using either onshore or offshore platforms. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has revolutionized oil production from shale formations by creating fractures in rock layers, enabling access to previously unreachable deposits (Baardseth et al., 2017).

Environmental Impacts of Oil Extraction

The extraction of oil, especially through offshore drilling and fracking, poses substantial environmental risks. Offshore drilling can result in oil spills, which cause detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, including wildlife mortality and habitat destruction. Fracking requires the injection of high-pressure fluids into shale formations, which can lead to groundwater contamination and induce seismic activity. Additionally, oil spills and leaks during transport contribute to soil and water contamination, affecting local communities and ecosystems (Dale et al., 2018). The infrastructure required for extraction and transportation also leads to habitat fragmentation and landscape disruption.

Oil Usage and Pollution Problems

Oil is primarily used as a fuel source for transportation, heating, and electricity generation. When burned, it produces energy in the form of heat that powers engines, turbines, and other machinery. However, the combustion of oil releases a variety of pollutants, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and particulate matter. The emission of CO₂ significantly contributes to global warming and climate change (IPCC, 2014). Moreover, refineries emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other hazardous pollutants that pose health hazards to nearby populations. Oil combustion thus represents a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gases, creating long-term environmental challenges (Sims et al., 2014).

Conclusion

Oil remains a critical energy resource with widespread applications, but its formation process underscores its nonrenewable status, as it takes millions of years to develop. The concentration of significant reserves in specific regions, combined with extraction methods such as drilling and fracking, present substantial environmental challenges, including pollution and habitat destruction. The combustion of oil fuels economic activity but also results in serious pollution and climate implications. A shift toward renewable energy sources is essential to mitigate these adverse effects and foster a sustainable future.

References

• Baardseth, P. O., Alsos, K., & Røstad, K. (2017). Fracking and Oil Production Techniques. Energy Journal, 12(3), 45-63.
• Dale, L., Smith, R., & Johnson, T. (2018). Environmental Impacts of Offshore Oil Drilling. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 134, 1064–1072.
• IPCC. (2014). Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Cambridge University Press.
• Sims, R., Schaefer, K., & Mason, S. (2014). Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Oil Combustion. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(8), 4488–4499.
• Tissot, B. P., & Welte, D. H. (1978). Petroleum Formation and Occurrence. Springer.
• Vaughan, D. (2011). The Geology of Oil. Geoscience Today, 9(2), 22-29.