ES4 HW 2
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De Anza College *
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Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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ES 4 Online Education
Roeder- SUMMER 2023 HOMEWORK # 2
-
The impact of fossil fuels on people, planet, profit and
politics.
Provide detailed answers. A one sentence response for each of the sub questions will not score
well. Do not change the format of this worksheet or combine the sub questions into a single detailed
response. Demonstrate some analysis and critical thought!
1)
Do some
RESEARCH
:
DESCRIBE
the
DEEPWATER
HORIZON
OIL SPILL
and its
IMPACT
:
Brief Description:
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was a catastrophic disaster that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.
The spill was caused by an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. The explosion killed 11 workers
and caused a massive oil leak. The spill released an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil into the ocean.
The spill had devastating consequences for the environment, killing marine life, and damaging
ecosystems.
Impact on the Environment:
The spill contaminated water, air, and soil, and caused widespread damage to ecosystems and marine
life. The spill affected wetlands, marshes, beaches, and coral reefs. The oil contaminated the water and
killed marine life, including fish, dolphins, and sea turtles. The oil also affected the food chain, as smaller
fish and plankton absorbed the oil.
Impact on the Economy:
The spill forced the closure of large areas of the Gulf to fishing and other activities. The tourism industry
was severely affected, as the oil spill made many beaches and coastal areas unsafe for swimming and
other recreational activities.
Impact on People:
The oil spill caused the loss of 11 lives and injured many others in the initial explosion. The oil spill forced
many people to evacuate their homes and businesses. It had a negative impact on the health of many
people who lived in the Gulf of Mexico region. They were exposed to toxic chemicals and fuels from the
oil.
2)
Do some
RESEARCH
on the
DUKE ENERGY COAL ASH POND
in North Carolina
What is a coal ash pond?
A Coal ash pond is a large, man-made body of water that is used to store the waste products produced
by coal-fired power plants. Coal ash ponds are designed to hold waste material.
What environmental issues were caused to the Dan River?
The coal ash contained toxic substances like arsenic, lead, and mercury. The spill caused significant
damage to the local ecosystem, as well as the river’s fish and wildlife populations. It also contaminated
the river’s water supply.
What was the end solution?
Duke Energy was required to pay a fine and take steps to clean up the coal ash ponds. The company
agreed to close all its coal ash ponds in North Carolina and convert to safer methods of waste disposal.
Increased regulatory oversight of the coal industry and new regulations to protect waterways from coal
ash contamination were prompted after the spill.
3)
Do some
RESEARCH
on the
KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE
-
Where does it
BEGIN
and
END
, What is the
CURRENT
STATUS
and what
IMPACT
does it have on
PEOPLE
and the
ENVIRONMENT
?
Where does it Begin and End:
It would run from Alberta, Canada to Port Arthur, Texas.
Current Status:
The status for the pipeline is canceled. President Biden revoked the permit for the pipeline project.
Impact on People:
The pipeline would have had a significant impact on people living along its route. It would have crossed
through several Indigenous communities, potentially impacting their lands and waterways.
Impact on the Environment:
The pipeline would have crossed through ecosystems and wildlife habitats, potentially damaging these
areas and disrupting the natural balance. Soil and water contamination, harm to wildlife and aquatic life
and air pollution are only some of the serious impacts that could have happened had the pipelines leak
or spill oil.
4)
Do some
RESEARCH
on the
SAN BRUNO PIPELINE EXPLOSION
in 2010
What SPECIFICALLY caused the pipeline to explode?
Pg&e workers were replacing electronic systems at the Milpitas pipeline terminal just south of San
Bruno, power got lost during this maintenance, and one of the components malfunctioned causing
valves to open which led to a pressure increase to 386psi the highest on record level at that location,
causing the pipe to rupture. The pipe that ruptured was taken to a lab to be tested. The results showed
the pipe to be of an unknown origin, the testing also showed the pipe was poorly fabricated.
What human impact did the explosion have?
The San Bruno pipeline explosion resulted in the loss of eight lives and caused dozens of injuries. It also
destroyed or damaged more than 100 homes in the surrounding area.
What is being done to prevent future pipeline ruptures?
Since the San Bruno pipeline explosion, there have been initiatives such as more rigorous pipeline
inspections, improved safety standards for pipeline construction and maintenance, and increased public
awareness about the risks associated with pipelines. All pipeline operators are now required to improve
their risk management systems by installing sensors to determine the exact location of ruptures when it
occurs, as well as installing automatic shut-off valves, and running regular audits to test the strength of
their pipelines.
5)
Do some
RESEARCH
on
CHEVRON OIL REFINERIES
in
RICHMOND, CA
in 2010
Explain the problem
The Chevron oil refinery in Richmond, California had a major fire in 2010, that was caused by a pipeline
rupture. The rupture happened in the refinery’s crude oil processing unit, which caused a vapor cloud to
form. Which then ignited, causing a fire that burned for several hours and sent black smoke into the air.
Why is it considered an environmental justice issue?
It is considered an environmental justice issue because the refinery is in a predominantly low-income,
minority community that has been subjected to environmental hazards and pollution. The rupture
released toxic chemicals into the air, which put nearby residents at risk of exposure to harmful
pollutants. These environmental risks were hazards in communities that are disproportionately impacted
by pollution and other hazards.
What health issues were caused?
It sent 15,000 people to local hospitals for treatment of respiratory 19 workers were in critical condition.
Highest rates of asthma, heart disease, cancers around the refinery,
What is the current situation?
They have since resumed operations but prompted several safety improvements and regulatory changes
aimed at preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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