Fossil fuel consumption solids

Coal forms about 60% of the global fossil fuel resources that are relatively evenly distributed around the world in more than 90 countries. The relative share of the coal consumption had a peak of 70% around 1900, but since then the relative importance has been on decline. Nowadays approximately % of the global fossil fuel consumption is by solids, from which 60 % is used for power generation. 

Long-range atmospheric transport of Hg from fossil fuel combustion and solid waste incineration has increased Hg in freshwater and biota. In the United States, combustion of fossil fuels for power generation is estimated to generate about 30% of the total release of Hg into the atmosphere (Harriss and Hohenemser, 1978). One in every three lakes in the United States and nearly one-quarter of the nation s rivers contain various pollutants, including Hg (CNN, 2004). Forty States in the U.S. have issued advisories for methylmercury on selected water-bodies, and 13 states have statewide advisories for some or all sportfish from rivers or lakes (USGS, 2000). Fish consumption advisories for methylmercury account for more than three-quarters of all fish consumption advisories. 

A minor part of mined fossil fuels is used as a raw material for the chemical industry (e.g., plastics, synthetic fabrics, carbon black, ammonia, and fertilizers). The major part supplies the energy needs for modem society. Fossil fuels supply about 86% of global primary energy consumption (39% oil, 24% coal, and 23% natural gas), providing energy for transportation, electricity generation, and industrial, commercial, and residential uses (El A 2001). Coal, and to a lesser extent oil, combustion leaves a significant amount of solid waste. The treatment of solid waste from fossil fuel combustion is treated in different chapters of this book. In this chapter we focus on air emissions of fossil fuel combustion, and their impact on human health and the environment. 

One of the problems with fossil fuels is that our sup>ply will not last forever. At current rates of consumption, oil and natural gas supplies will be depleted in 40 to 60 years. While there is enough coal to last much longer, it is a dirtier fuel and is less convenient than petroleum and natural gas because it is a solid. 

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