Letter to the Editor Mercury Coal Mining Plants

By

To the Editor:

I believe that coal burning plants should not be placed near big body’s of water because of the obvious leaking of mercury into the ocean. Instead of coal-burning plants, I think we should replace them with hydroelectricity plants.

A coal-burning plant on the ocean.

Coal-Burning Plants

When coal is burned it releases a number of airborne toxins and pollutants. They include mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and various other heavy metals. Air pollution from coal-fired power plants includes sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter (PM), and heavy metals, leading to smog, acid rain, toxins in the environment, and numerous respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular effects. Mercury and coal – Emissions from coal-fired power plants are the largest source of mercury in the United States, accounting for about 41 percent (48 tons in 1999) of industrial releases. The cons are heavily dangerous and not safe for anyone, especially the aquatic life.

Hydroelectricity Plants

This is a hydroelectricity dam.

Hydropower is fueled by water, so it’s a clean fuel source, meaning it won’t pollute the air like power plants that burn fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas. In addition to a sustainable fuel source, hydropower efforts produce a number of benefits, such as flood control, irrigation, and water supply. Hydropower plants create energy by using the force of water to turn turbines. They operate similarly to how a coal-powered plant is run. For example, when coal is burned in a coal plant, the steam that is created powers turbines that then create electricity. With hydropower, the energy source that generates power is water. The most popular form of hydropower, also known as hydroelectric power, is a large dam that holds water in a reservoir, like the picture below. When electricity is needed, water is released from the reservoir, which then propels turbines to produce electricity.

Citation’s

(Where I got my info)

https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/coal-power-impacts

Mercury in Fish – Canada.ca

https://www.gem.wiki/Environmental_impacts_of_coal

Hydroelectric Dams – The Good and Bad

https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/hydroelectric-energy-pros-and-cons