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