Carbon Cycle 10

Question 1

What is Shale Gas extracted through?

Answer 1

Fracking

Shale Gas provided 25% of the US’s energy needs in 2015.

Question 2

What process is used to access hydrocarbons in Shale Gas extraction?

Answer 2

Fracking

Water, chemicals, and sand are pumped into the ground to break up the shale.

Question 3

What technique helps to remove gas reserves in Shale Gas extraction?

Answer 3

Horizontal drilling

This technique is used alongside fracking.

Question 4

List the advantages of fracking.

Answer 4

• Less polluting than coal or oil
• Could provide a boost to the economy
• The Royal Academy of Engineers in the UK believes it can be made safe

Fracking requires large amounts of water.

Question 5

List the disadvantages of fracking.

Answer 5

• Wastewater needs treating due to chemical contents
• May pollute groundwater aquifers
• Water has become flammable due to pollution
• Low magnitude earthquakes may occur

Earthquakes may damage fracking infrastructure, causing further leakages.

Question 6

True or false: The IPCC suggests it would be responsible to use shale gas.

Answer 6

FALSE

The IPCC suggests it would be irresponsible to use shale gas.

Question 7

What is the primary advantage of extracting deep-water oil?

Answer 7

• Avoids large changes to important engines
• Many engines and appliances are designed to operate on oil

Continuing to extract oil helps maintain the functionality of vehicles, planes, and other machinery.

Question 8

What are the risks associated with deep-water oil extraction?

Answer 8

• Larger risks during extraction
• Oil spills during transportation

These risks are similar to those faced in normal oil production.

Question 9

How does shale gas compare to coal in terms of emissions?

Answer 9

Produces half the emissions of coal

This reduction would help lower global emissions without completely eliminating fossil fuel use.

Question 10

What would be the economic impact of a large influx of shale gas?

Answer 10

Would drop the price of electricity

Increased availability of shale gas can lead to lower energy costs.

Question 11

Where is the majority of shale gas found?

Answer 11

In the US

This availability could improve the US economy and provide an alternative to Russian oil.

Question 12

True or false: The extraction of shale gas poses no environmental risks.

Answer 12

FALSE

While shale gas has advantages, its extraction can still have environmental impacts.

Question 13

What is a potential geopolitical benefit of US shale gas production?

Answer 13

Provides an alternative source to Russian oil

This is particularly relevant if political tensions between the UK and Russia continue, impacting energy security.

Question 14

What is a major disadvantage of fracking?

Answer 14

• Faces large environmental opposition
• Can trigger minor tremors

Fracking is a controversial method of extracting natural gas from shale formations.

Question 15

What is a disadvantage of producing shale gas?

Answer 15

Still more expensive to produce than conventional gas

This economic factor limits the widespread adoption of shale gas extraction.

Question 16

What are the advantages of tar sands production?

Answer 16

• Creates economic growth
• Large influx of jobs for rural regions
• Fastest growing industry producing high-value bitumen

Tar sands can be lucrative despite their environmental costs.

Question 17

What is a disadvantage of the tar sands extraction process?

Answer 17

• Water and energy intensive
• Produces large volume of waste
• Involves habitat destruction

The extraction process has significant environmental impacts.

Question 18

How much waste is produced in the tar sands extraction process?

Answer 18

12 barrels of hot water produce 1 barrel of bitumen and 3 barrels of tailing pond waste

This highlights the inefficiency and environmental cost of tar sands extraction.

Question 19

What is a potential environmental risk associated with tailing ponds?

Answer 19

May contain sulfate, chloride, and ammonia which may infiltrate groundwater

Tailing ponds are a byproduct of tar sands extraction and pose risks to water sources.

Question 20

What does open mining involve in the context of tar sands?

Answer 20

Removing the top layer of vegetation and soils to access bitumen-sands

This method leads to significant habitat destruction.

Question 21

What is the current trend regarding oil and gas reserves?

Answer 21

New reserves are being discovered at a lower rate than they are being exploited

This trend raises concerns about the sustainability of fossil fuel resources.

Question 22

What do environmental groups suggest regarding fossil fuel exploration?

Answer 22

It should stop immediately and renewable energy should be used instead

This suggestion is based on the need for sustainable energy solutions.

Question 23

In countries like Bahrain, what percentage of GDP is reliant on oil?

Answer 23

75%

This heavy reliance makes transitioning away from fossil fuels economically challenging.

Question 24

What is a key characteristic of renewable energy?

Answer 24

It has a low carbon footprint (in most cases)

This makes it a more environmentally friendly option compared to fossil fuels.

Question 25

What is happening to the technology for **renewable energy**?

Answer 25

It is always improving and becoming more efficient ## Footnote Advances in technology are expected to reduce the disadvantages of renewable energy.

Question 26

What are common **disadvantages** of renewable energy resources?

Answer 26

* Visually unappealing * Causes minor disturbances to the local environment ## Footnote These disadvantages are expected to decrease as technologies improve.