Molecular Compounds in Action
Fossil Fuels
Fossil Fuels
• are molecular compounds• coal, oil and natural gas• formed from decayed remains of ancient
plants and animals• made up of hydrocarbons• non-renewable• cannot be formed as quickly as we use them• Movie Clip: Sources of Oil
Petrochemicals
• fossil fuel compounds are processed into petrochemicals
• make a variety of products– plastics– cosmetics– paint, carpet– medication– etc...
Oil Spills
• oil and gas deposits are localized• must transport across the world• accidents can happen
Exxon Valdez Spill
1989 Off the Coast of Alaskaup to 750,000 barrels of oilDeath of seabirds, sea otters, river otters, seals, orcas, bald eagles, salmon
Fragile Habitats
• Spill off the coast of Australia• the Great Barrier Reef• April 2010• good management
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
• Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill• 4.9 million barrels• Biggest spill in history