C10 - Using Resources Flashcards
What are natural resources?
Natural resources form without human input and include anything that comes from the earth, sea, or air
Examples include cotton for clothing and oil for fuel.
What are synthetic products?
Synthetic products are man-made alternatives that can replace natural resources
For example, man-made polymers can replace natural rubber.
How does agriculture enhance natural resources?
Agriculture provides conditions where natural resources can be enhanced for our needs
The development of fertilizers allows for high crop yields.
What are renewable resources?
Renewable resources reform at a similar rate to, or faster than, we use them
Examples include timber, fresh water, and food.
What are finite (non-renewable) resources?
Finite resources aren’t formed quickly enough to be replaced and include fossil fuels and nuclear fuels
Examples are uranium, plutonium, and minerals found in ores.
What is fractional distillation?
Fractional distillation is a man-made process used to produce usable products from raw materials
For example, it is used to produce petrol from crude oil.
What is the significance of energy density in resource comparison?
Energy density helps compare the efficiency of different resources
For example, coal has a higher energy density than timber.
What are the risks associated with extracting finite resources?
Extracting finite resources has social, economic, and environmental effects
Mining can provide jobs but also harms the environment.
Fill in the blank: Renewable resources include _______.
timber, fresh water, food.
True or False: All natural resources can be replaced by synthetic products.
False
Some natural resources cannot be fully replaced or improved upon.
Identify two finite resources.
Fossil fuels, nuclear fuels
Includes uranium and plutonium.
What is the primary benefit of recycling compared to using new finite resources?
Recycling is far better than using new finite resources which will eventually run out.
Define sustainable development.
An approach to development that takes account of the needs of present society while not damaging the lives of future generations.
What is one way to reduce the use of finite resources?
Using less of the resource.
How can chemists contribute to sustainability?
By developing and adapting processes that use lower amounts of finite resources and reduce environmental damage.
What is bioleaching?
A process where bacteria convert copper compounds in the ore into soluble copper compounds.
What is phytomining?
Growing plants in copper-rich soil to accumulate copper in their leaves, which can then be harvested and processed.
Why are traditional methods of copper mining considered damaging?
They have a significant negative impact on the environment.
List three benefits of recycling metals.
- Reduces the need for copper-rich ores
- Uses much less energy than mining
- Conserves finite amounts of each metal in the earth
What is the process for recycling metals?
Melting them and casting them into the shape of new products.
How can glass recycling help sustainability?
By reducing the amount of energy needed to make new glass products and cutting down on waste.
What is usually done to glass before recycling?
Separated by color and chemical composition.
What happens to glass after it is crushed for recycling?
It is melted and reshaped for use in new glass products.
True or False: All types of glass can be reused without reshaping.
False.
Fill in the blank: Copper is a ______ resource.
finite
What is the leachate in the bioleaching process?
The solution produced that contains copper ions.
What is one disadvantage of new methods of copper extraction like bioleaching and phytomining?
They are slow.
What is a blast furnace used for?
To extract iron from its ore at high temperature using carbon.
What is a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
A method to assess the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle.
What is the first stage of a Life Cycle Assessment?
Getting the Raw Materials
How does extracting raw materials impact the environment?
It can damage the local environment and result in pollution due to high energy consumption.
What is an example of energy-intensive raw material extraction?
Extracting metals from ores or fractional distillation of crude oil.
What is the second stage of a Life Cycle Assessment?
Manufacture and Packaging
What environmental issues arise during the manufacturing stage?
High energy use, pollution from harmful fumes, and waste product disposal.
What are the consequences of product use on the environment?
Products can damage the environment and contribute to pollution.
What happens to products after their use?
They are often disposed of in landfill sites or incinerated.
What are the environmental impacts of incinerating products?
It causes air pollution.
Complete the fill-in-the-blank: The raw materials for plastic bags come from _______.
Crude oil
Complete the fill-in-the-blank: The raw materials for paper bags come from _______.
Timber
How do plastic bags compare to paper bags in terms of lifespan?
Plastic bags have a longer lifespan than paper bags.
What is a significant problem with Life Cycle Assessments?
They can be biased based on the values of the person conducting the assessment.
True or False: Life Cycle Assessments provide an objective method for evaluating environmental impact.
False
What can selective Life Cycle Assessments lead to?
Biased results that support the claims of a company.
List the stages of a Life Cycle Assessment.
- Getting the Raw Materials
- Manufacture and Packaging
- Using the Product
- Product Disposal
What is an environmental issue related to product disposal?
Landfills can pollute land and water.
What happens to fertilizers when they leach into water bodies?
They can cause damage to ecosystems.
Fill in the blank: The compounds needed to make plastic bags are extracted from crude oil through _______.
fractional distillation
What is a benefit of reusing plastic bags?
It reduces waste.
What type of pollution can result from burning fuels?
Greenhouse gases and other harmful substances.
What is Potable Water?
Water you can drink
Potable water is essential for health and must be safe from harmful microorganisms.
What determines how potable water is made safe?
Local conditions
The methods of ensuring water safety can vary significantly based on geographic and environmental factors.
What is the minimum level of daily water intake recommended?
At least 8 cups
Adequate hydration is crucial for health, and daily intake recommendations can vary based on individual needs.
What are the two main types of fresh water sources?
Surface water and groundwater
Surface water includes lakes and rivers, while groundwater is found in aquifers.
In the UK, what source of fresh water is predominantly used in warm areas?
Groundwater
In warmer regions, domestic water supply often relies on groundwater due to low surface water availability.
What process involves filtering out large solids from water?
Filtration
Filtration typically uses wire mesh, gravel, and sand to purify water.
What is sterilisation in the context of water treatment?
Killing harmful bacteria or microbes
Sterilisation can be achieved using chlorine gas, ozone, or ultraviolet light.
What is desalination?
The process of treating seawater to provide potable water
Desalination is crucial in arid regions where freshwater sources are scarce.
What method can be used to desalinate seawater?
Distillation
Distillation involves heating seawater to produce steam and then condensing it back into liquid.
What can be added to water to improve dental health?
Fluoride
The addition of fluoride is controversial as it removes individual choice regarding consumption.
What is the ideal pH level for drinking water?
7
A neutral pH is essential for safe drinking water, and adjustments may be needed based on testing.
What happens to water during the distillation process?
It evaporates and then condenses
The process involves heating water to create steam and then cooling it to form liquid water again.
What is reverse osmosis?
A process that uses membranes to separate water from salts and larger molecules
This method relies on a semi-permeable membrane that filters out impurities.
True or False: Distillation and reverse osmosis are energy-intensive processes.
True
Both methods are expensive and not practical for large-scale freshwater production.
What is Potable Water?
Water you can drink
Potable water is essential for health and must be safe from harmful microorganisms.
What determines how potable water is made safe?
Local conditions
The methods of ensuring water safety can vary significantly based on geographic and environmental factors.
What is the minimum level of daily water intake recommended?
At least 8 cups
Adequate hydration is crucial for health, and daily intake recommendations can vary based on individual needs.
What are the two main types of fresh water sources?
Surface water and groundwater
Surface water includes lakes and rivers, while groundwater is found in aquifers.
In the UK, what source of fresh water is predominantly used in warm areas?
Groundwater
In warmer regions, domestic water supply often relies on groundwater due to low surface water availability.
What process involves filtering out large solids from water?
Filtration
Filtration typically uses wire mesh, gravel, and sand to purify water.
What is sterilisation in the context of water treatment?
Killing harmful bacteria or microbes
Sterilisation can be achieved using chlorine gas, ozone, or ultraviolet light.
What is desalination?
The process of treating seawater to provide potable water
Desalination is crucial in arid regions where freshwater sources are scarce.
What method can be used to desalinate seawater?
Distillation
Distillation involves heating seawater to produce steam and then condensing it back into liquid.
What can be added to water to improve dental health?
Fluoride
The addition of fluoride is controversial as it removes individual choice regarding consumption.
What is the ideal pH level for drinking water?
7
A neutral pH is essential for safe drinking water, and adjustments may be needed based on testing.
What happens to water during the distillation process?
It evaporates and then condenses
The process involves heating water to create steam and then cooling it to form liquid water again.
What is reverse osmosis?
A process that uses membranes to separate water from salts and larger molecules
This method relies on a semi-permeable membrane that filters out impurities.
True or False: Distillation and reverse osmosis are energy-intensive processes.
True
Both methods are expensive and not practical for large-scale freshwater production.
What is the main source of waste water in homes?
Activities like bathing, toilet use, and washing-up
What type of waste water is produced by agricultural systems?
Nutrient run-off and slurry from animal farms
Why must sewage from domestic or agricultural sources be treated?
To remove organic matter and harmful microbes
What are the potential consequences of untreated sewage?
Pollution of freshwater sources and health risks
What additional contaminants can industrial waste water contain?
Harmful chemicals
What is the first stage of sewage treatment?
Screening to remove large materials and grit
What happens during sedimentation in sewage treatment?
Heavier suspended solids sink to form sludge
What is the role of aerobic digestion in sewage treatment?
Aerobic bacteria break down organic matter using air
What occurs during anaerobic digestion of sludge?
Organic matter is broken down, releasing methane gas
What can methane gas produced from anaerobic digestion be used for?
As an energy source
What is a common use for the remaining digested waste after anaerobic digestion?
As a fertiliser
What additional treatments may be required for waste water with toxic substances?
Adding chemicals, UV radiation, or using membranes
How does sewage treatment compare to desalination in terms of energy use?
Sewage treatment uses less energy than desalination
What is an example of a city that recycles treated waste water into drinking supplies?
Singapore
Fill in the blank: Sewage treatment involves several stages including _______.
screening, sedimentation, aerobic digestion, anaerobic digestion
True or False: Aerobic digestion occurs without oxygen.
False
What is the process of removing large bits of material from sewage called?
Screening
What is the purpose of a settlement tank in sewage treatment?
To allow sedimentation to occur
