What are the possible bad effect to the environment that petroleum might give?
Our chemistry teacher give us an assignment about petroleum. So, I need your help 
. Thanks a lot!
Our chemistry teacher give us an assignment about petroleum. So, I need your help . Thanks a lot!
March 18th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Before the actual answer, let me tell you that petroleum is a mixture of butane and iso-butane. They are organic chemicals and fall in the category of saturated hydrocarbons. On burning saturated hydrocarbons, only CO2,water vapor,heat and light are given out. As such, CO2 does not pollute the air if petroleum is burnt in full oxygen. But if it is burnt in limited air, as in a car engine, then it will not burn to give only CO2 and water vapor. It will also form soot(unburnt carbon particles) which remain suspended in air and are major air pollutants. Also, CO2 gas is known to cause greenhouse effect and consequently global warming. Therefore, using petroleum as a fuel can cause:-
1. Air Pollution
2. Greenhouse effect / Global Warming
Remember, greenhouse effect will be caused by CO2 regardless of burning petroleum in full oxygen or limited oxygen. So greenhouse effect is a sure event that takes place.