Kiera Jefferson
Burning coal is a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Coal is a cheap and abundant resource, but coal use is responsible for about 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use. The burning of coal releases carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, mercury, arsenic, and other toxic heavy metals. For example, according to calculations, burning a pound of coal emits 2.07 pounds of carbon dioxide and 0.00375 tons of sulfur dioxide. Coal ash, the solid byproduct left over after coal is burned, is the second-largest source of waste material in the US. The environmental impact of coal is significant, and while technologies are being developed to reduce emissions, such as carbon capture and storage, the challenge of reconciling coal use with the dangers of climate change remains.
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What You'll Learn
Burning coal releases carbon dioxide (CO2)
Coal is formed over millions of years from the decay of organic material, particularly plants that grew in and near swamps. As these plants died and were covered by water, they slowly decomposed, and the subsequent chemical reactions formed peat. Over time, geological changes led to the peat being buried under layers of earth and minerals, subjecting it to increased temperature and pressure. This process transformed the peat into coal, leaving behind pure carbon.
The combustion of coal releases the stored carbon, which combines with oxygen to form CO2. The carbon-intensity of coal, or its carbon content, is a critical factor in determining the amount of CO2 produced during burning. The heat content and energy produced during combustion are also influenced by the carbon and hydrogen composition of the fuel. When coal is burned, the carbon atoms combine with oxygen atoms, resulting in a molecule of carbon dioxide that is 3.67 times heavier than a molecule of carbon.
In addition to CO2 emissions, burning coal also releases other harmful pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, mercury, and heavy metals. These emissions contribute to environmental issues such as acid rain, smog, respiratory illnesses, and lung disease. Coal-powered electricity is a significant source of these pollutants, and efforts are being made to reduce emissions through methods like carbon capture and the development of cleaner coal technologies.
The environmental impact of coal extends beyond just emissions. Mountaintop removal and valley fill mining, commonly used in the Appalachian Mountains, drastically alter the landscape and can contaminate streams with pollutants, posing risks to aquatic wildlife. Additionally, coal ash, the solid byproduct of coal combustion, is the second-largest source of waste material in the United States. Reusing and recycling waste products from coal burning can help mitigate these environmental consequences.
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Nitrogen oxides (NOx) cause smog and acid rain
Burning coal emits various types of pollution, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulates, and heavy metals such as mercury. While there are efforts to reduce these emissions, coal remains a significant contributor to air and water pollution.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are a group of highly reactive gases that include nitrogen monoxide (nitric oxide, NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). These gases are produced from the combustion of fuel, especially at high temperatures, and are released from sources such as cars, trucks, power plants, and industrial operations.
NOx plays a significant role in the formation of smog and acid rain. When NOx reacts with ammonia, moisture, and other compounds in the atmosphere, it forms nitric acid vapour and related particles. This reaction contributes to the haze and reduced visibility associated with smog. Additionally, the nitrate particles resulting from NOx can cause nutrient pollution in coastal waters.
The health impacts of NOx are also concerning. High concentrations of nitrogen dioxide can irritate and inflame the airways, leading to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of NO2 may contribute to the development of asthma and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. The impacts of excess nitric oxide ingestion include respiratory ailments, hematologic side effects, metabolic disorders, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
To address NOx emissions, the EPA has implemented rules and standards to reduce nitrogen oxide levels in the atmosphere. These regulations aim to help state and local governments meet air quality standards, such as the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). Additionally, technologies such as flue gas desulfurization equipment ("scrubbers") are used to remove impurities and reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides from coal-fired power plants.
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Mercury and other heavy metals are dangerous to humans
Burning coal releases several harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter. Coal is not 100% carbon, and burning one pound of coal emits 2.07 pounds of CO2. Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of SO2, which contributes to acid rain and respiratory illnesses. NOx emissions create smog and respiratory issues, while particulate matter contributes to smog, haze, respiratory problems, and lung disease. Additionally, coal ash, the solid byproduct of coal combustion, is the second-largest source of waste material in the US.
Now, let's focus on mercury and other heavy metals released from coal combustion and their dangers to humans:
Mercury is a toxic elemental metal found in the Earth's crust, and exposure to high levels of mercury can lead to mercury poisoning. Mercury poisoning typically occurs through the consumption of seafood containing high levels of mercury, such as certain types of fish and shellfish. However, it can also result from exposure to elemental mercury through inhalation or older amalgam dental fillings. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include trouble breathing, a metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, bleeding or swollen gums, kidney damage, brain damage, and potential lung damage. Inorganic mercury can cause gastrointestinal issues, nervous system damage, and blood loss, while organic mercury can lead to adverse health effects if inhaled or touched. Methylmercury, a type of organic mercury, is a powerful neurotoxin, and exposure during fetal development can negatively impact cognitive function, memory, attention, language, fine motor skills, and visual-spatial skills.
Other heavy metals, such as lead, chromium, cadmium, and arsenic, are also dangerous to humans. These metals can enter the body through water, air, or food and accumulate in various tissues and organs. They disrupt cellular processes, including growth, proliferation, differentiation, and damage-repair mechanisms. Heavy metal exposure can lead to gastrointestinal and kidney dysfunction, nervous system disorders, skin lesions, vascular damage, immune system dysfunction, birth defects, and cancer. High doses of certain heavy metals, particularly mercury and lead, can cause severe complications, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and kidney failure.
To address mercury and heavy metal emissions from coal-fired power plants, technologies such as flue gas desulfurization equipment ("scrubbers") are used to remove impurities like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. These technologies can also help reduce mercury emissions from certain types of coal. Additionally, carbon capture techniques are being explored to separate and sequester CO2 emissions, further mitigating the environmental and health impacts of coal combustion.
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Sulfur dioxide (SO2) contributes to acid rain and respiratory issues
Burning coal emits both carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). CO2 is a greenhouse gas and is the primary product of burning fossil fuels, while SO2 is a significant contributor to acid rain. When SO2 is released into the atmosphere, it combines with water and air to form sulfuric acid, which is the main component of acid rain. Acid rain is any form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). The normal pH of rain is about 5.6, while acid rain usually has a pH between 4.2 and 4.4, and can be as low as 2.
Acid rain can have harmful effects on the environment, including plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure. It can also cause negative health effects in humans. When inhaled, SO2 irritates the respiratory tract and increases the risk of infections. It causes coughing, mucus secretion, and aggravates respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic bronchitis. Additionally, nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are also produced during coal burning and contribute to acid rain, can cause respiratory issues. NOx creates nitric acid, which can lead to pneumonia and damage epithelial cells lining the airways, resulting in pulmonary edema.
To mitigate the environmental and health impacts of SO2 and NOx emissions, various measures have been implemented. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 in the United States established the Acid Rain Program, aiming to reduce emissions of these gases and improve air quality. Coal-firing power stations use flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) or scrubbers to remove sulfur-containing gases from their stack emissions. FGD methods can remove up to 95% of SO2, and the captured waste can be reused to produce materials like cement and synthetic gypsum.
While these measures help reduce the pollution associated with coal burning, it is important to recognize that coal is a significant contributor to air pollution, particularly in the form of SO2 and NOx emissions. These emissions have far-reaching impacts on both environmental and human health, underscoring the importance of transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
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Land and water pollution from coal mining
Burning coal releases a variety of pollutants into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, copper, and lead. According to one calculation, burning 2,000 pounds of coal yields over 4,000 pounds of carbon dioxide. Coal-fired power plants in the United States produce more than 100 million tons of coal ash and other waste products annually, with about a third of that waste being reused and the rest stored in landfills, abandoned mines, or hazardous ponds. The Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act in the United States require industries, including coal power plants, to reduce pollutants released into the air and water.
Land pollution from coal mining takes several forms. Surface mining, for example, involves clearing forests, stripping away soil and rock, and exposing coal seams, which degrades the land and leaves it incapable of supporting wildlife. Mountaintop removal is an especially destructive form of surface mining that uses explosives to remove mountaintops, changing the landscape and harming wildlife habitats. Streams are sometimes covered with rock and dirt, and the resulting debris is dumped into valleys, burying headwater streams and causing further environmental damage. More than 2,000 miles of headwater streams have been buried due to mountaintop removal, leading to losses in wildlife habitat, clean water sources, and natural benefits such as nutrient regulation and flood control.
Water pollution from coal mining is also significant. Acid mine drainage, resulting from water reacting with sulfur-bearing minerals in rocks, produces highly acidic water containing toxic heavy metals. This process contaminates nearby rivers, lakes, and aquifers, rendering them unusable for drinking and recreation and posing health risks to ecosystems and communities. Water flowing from coal mines can be so acidic that it burns the skin, and it often turns the water an alarming orange or red colour. In 2014, a coal ash spill in North Carolina released 39,000 tons of coal ash into the Dan River, and six years earlier, over 5 million cubic yards of coal ash spilled into Tennessee's Emory River, causing one of the country's largest environmental disasters.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning 1lb of coal emits 2.07lb of CO2.
Coal-fired power plants produce sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), fly ash, bottom ash, and mercury.
Coal is a major contributor to air pollution, global warming, and climate change. Coal mining can also alter landscapes and pollute waterways.
Coal is a significant source of carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. In 2022, coal-fired power plants accounted for about 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions. Coal plants also emit more radiation than nuclear plants.
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