Which of these sources of energy is very damaging and dirty when extracted, burned, and disposed of? a. coal b. nuclear c. natural gas
Coal is known to be very damaging and dirty when extracted, burned, and disposed of. The extraction of coal often involves mountaintop removal mining and can have severe environmental consequences, including habitat destruction and water pollution. When coal is burned to produce energy, it releases a significant amount of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas), as well as other pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which contribute to air pollution and have adverse health effects.
The disposal of coal ash, a byproduct of burning coal, can also pose environmental risks as it contains various toxic substances and heavy metals that can leach into the environment if not properly managed. Overall, coal is one of the most environmentally damaging and polluting sources of energy when compared to other options like nuclear or natural gas.
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