10 Resources Flashcards
What do humans use resources for?
Warmth, shelter and food
What are finite resources?
Resources that will run out
What is sustainable development?
Development that meets the needs of the current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Give an example of a natural product that has been replaced by a synthetic product
Cotton has been replaced by polyester
What is potable water?
Water that is safe to drink
In the UK how is potable water produced?
Passing fresh water through filter beds and sterilising
How is water sterilised?
Using chlorine, ozone or ultraviolet light
What is desalination?
Removal of saly from sea water
In what two ways can desalination be carried out?
Reverse osmosis or distillation
What is the main disadvantage of desalination?
It requires a large amount of energy
In what kinds of locations is desalination carried out?
Ones where there is limited supply of fresh water
What needs to be removed from sewage and agrictultural waste water?
Organic matter and harmful microbes
What needs to be removed from industrial waste water?
Organic matter and harmful chemicals
How is sewage treated?
Screening, sedimentation, anaerobic digestion, aerobic biological treatment
Name two new ways of extracting copper from low-grade ores
Phytomining and bioleaching
What is a low grade ore?
Rock with only a small amount of metal compound in it
How is phytomining carried out?
Plants absorb metal compounds, are harvested and then burned to produce ash
How is bioleaching carried out?
Bacteria are used to produce a leachate solution
How can copper be produced from the products of phytomining or bioleaching?
Electrlysis or displacement with scrap iron
What is a life cycle assessment?
A way of assessing the environmental impact of a product across its entire life cycle
What are the four stages in a product’s life cycy?
Extracting and processing raw materials, manufacturing and packaging, use and operation, disposal
distribution at each stage.
Why is it important to reduce use, recycle and and reuse products?
Reduces the use of limited resources, energy sources and environmental impacts
Give an example of a product that can be reused
Glass
Given an example of a product that can be recycled
Metal
