C10 - Using Resources Flashcards
What are natural resources?
Substances that were made through the earths for ration and can be used for the benefit of humans
Can be replaced or improved by man-made processes or products
E.g. coal, sand, & clay
Natural resource: Wool
What are its uses?
What is its synthetic product?
Clothes, carpets
Acrylic fibres, poly (propene)
Natural resource: Cotton
What are its uses?
What is its synthetic product?
Clothes, textiles
Polyester
Natural resource: Silk
What are its uses?
What is its synthetic product?
Clothes
Nylon
Natural resource: Linseed oil
What are its uses?
What is its synthetic product?
Paint
Acrylic resin
Natural resource: Rubber
What are its uses?
What is its synthetic product?
Tyres, washers
Poly (butadiene)
Natural resource: Wood
What are its uses?
What is its synthetic product?
Construction
PVC, composite wood (MDF)
What are finite resources?
Non-renewable (limited) energy resources
Used quicker than formed
E.g. fossil fuels, nuclear fuels (uranium & plutonium, metal ores)
What is sustainable development?
Development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Metal ore mining
What are the advantages & disadvantages?
Advantages:
• provides jobs for people
• provides money for the region
Disadvantages:
• destruction of habitats
• high energy usage
• transportation
• production of waste
How is Bio leaching and Phyto mining used in recycling copper rich ores?
Copper rich ores are in short supply
Bioleaching
• bacteria is used to convert the copper compounds into soluble copper
Phyto mining
• plants are grown in soils that contain copper; plants can’t use copper so there is a build up of copper in the leaves
• plants are burned & the copper is extracted through electrolysis or displacement
How are metals recycled?
How is glass recycled?
Metals recycled by melting and then casting into shape of new products
Reused, crushed, & melted into shape
Some forms cannot be reused
Spectated by colour & chemical composition before recycling
What is potable water?
Water that is safe for humans to drink
• dissolved salts are low
• pH 6.5 - 8.5
• free from microbes
How is rainwater treated to make it more potable?
- Filter
- Sterilise (Cl2, ozone, uv)
Where is fresh water collected from?
Surface water
• lakes, rivers, reservoirs
Ground water
• underground in aquifers (rocks that trap water)
How is sea water treated to make it more potable?
Used when there is not enough rainfall
- Desalination = removing salt
(Expensive ~ needs lots of energy)
2. Distillation
3. Reverse osmosis (using membranes)
What is the test for potable water?
Heat water sample until it evaporates (at 100°C) & then condense
Test the condensed liquid pH
Waste water treatment
Sewage treatment
Flushing, shower/bath, sink (washing up), washing machines/dishwashers, & agriculture
Goes to sewage treatment plant
- Screening - large materials removed (twigs, plastic bags, condoms, etc.)
- Settlement - sedimentation (heavier bits sink to the bottom)
- Effluent: removed & treated with biological aerobic digestion (pump air into it & bacteria break it down)
Sludge: removed & goes into a tank; treated anaerobic bacteria - releases methane
What is LCA
What are the stages
Life cycle assessment
= the impact of a product on the environment
- Getting raw materials
- Manufacturing & packaging
- Using the product
- Disposal