In addition to the carbon released from the burning of coal, there are a number of other negative environmental impacts it can have. Coal also releases methane, which is another harmful greenhouse gas. There are also environmental impacts caused by the mining of coal. Coal mining exposes sulfur to air and water, which forms sulfuric acid and causes acid rain and acid mine drainage. Coal mining requires the large displacement of natural materials (removing coal from the ground as well as removing land to access the coal) which causes a major disturbance to groundwater and water table levels and, of course, to the land. It destroys existing vegetation, permanently changes the soil profile and displaces animals who use the land for their habitats (Environmental effects of coal, n.d.).
Environmental Effects of Coal. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved December 5, 2010 , from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_effects_of_coal.
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