Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Natural Resources > Definitions > Flashcards

Definitions Flashcards

1
Q

Acid Rain

A

Rain, snow or fog created after sulphur dioxide and nitric oxides mix with water vapour. AP kills vegetation and lakes turn acid.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Geologist

A

A scientist who studies the earth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Oil sand

A

An area that has bitumen covering individual particles of sand

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Alternative Energy Sources

A

Energy from natural and renewable sources such as solar, wind, and biomass energy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Global Warming

A

The current rise in the average temperature of Earth’s air and oceans due to greenhouse gases being related into the atmosphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Open pit mining

A

Holes are drilled into the ground and filled with explosives. Rocks are blasted and removed from the site. Does the most damage to the earth.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Bitumen

A

An oil like substance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Greenhouse Effect

A

When heat is trapped near the Earth’s surface by greenhouse gas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Ore

A

Rock that contains enough minerals to make mining profitable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Carbon Dioxide

A

An odourless and non-flammable gas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Groundwater

A

Water held underground

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Productive land

A

Land that has produced crops within the previous 5 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Carbon Fixation

A

When organic molecules are formed from inorganic carbon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Secondary Recovery

A

The extraction of crude oil from an oil field that cannot be extracted otherwise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Carbon Sink

A

Keeper of carbon, like plankton and forests, that exchange carbon with the atmosphere in cycle, helping to protect the planet from global warming.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Selective Cutting

A

Harvesting only mature trees of the desired size, type, and quality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Carbon Sources

A

Releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Hydrological Cycle

A

How water renews itself on a continual basis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Shelter wood Logging

A

Clear cutting only parts of an old growth forest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Clear-Cutting

A

Loggers remove all trees

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Industrial minerals

A

Non-metal and non-fuel mineral resources

19
Q

Smelting

A

Extraction of ore involving heating and melting

20
Q

Commercial Forests

A

Have trees that can be harvested for profit

21
Q

In-stream use

A

Water used without removing it from the lake or river.
Ex: Transportation, Fisheries, Recreation

22
Q

Strip mining

A

Used to extract minerals such as coal or oil sands that are located in horizontal layers near the surface

23
Q

Coniferous Trees

A

Cone bearing trees with needle leaves

24
Q

Deciduous Trees

A

Trees that lose their leaves every year

25
Q

Non-Commercial Forests

A

Unlikely to be cut down for industrial use

26
Q

Mixed Forests

A

A forest region with warmer temperatures, longer growing seasons and high precipitation. Types of Trees include Fir and Spruce, Coniferous, Deciduous and Hardwood.

27
Q

Conventional Energy Sources

A

Commonly used and generally non-renewable sources such as natural gas, coal, hydro and nuclear energy.

28
Q

Consumed Water

A

Water that is consumed by humans and livestock or “lost” into the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration.

29
Q

Drainage Basin

A

An area of land where water from rain or snow melt drains downhill into a body of water such as a river, lake, wetland or ocean.

30
Q

Withdrawal Use

A

Actual removal of of water from the water body
Ex: Agriculture, mining, livestock

31
Q

Non-Withdrawal Uses

A

Water that is not removed from it’s source when it’s used.
Ex: Hydro-electric generator

32
Q

Wetlands

A

Swamps, Marshes, Bogs

33
Q

Watershed

A

An area of land that drains or “sheds” water into a specific water body

34
Q

Sustainability

A

Our ability to maintain a high quality of life for all people (humans)

35
Q

Hydro Electric Generating Station

A

Mechanical energy that is produced by moving water

36
Q

Thermal Electric Generating Station

A

Mechanical energy that is produced by expanding steam by burning coal, oil and natural gas

37
Q

Nuclear Electric Generating Station

A

Mechanical energy that is produced by expanding steam from nuclear fission

38
Q

Ecological Footprint

A

A way of measuring the demand we place in the environment

39
Q

Energy Efficient

A

Appliances, vehicles, etc. that use up less energy than non-efficient supplies.

40
Q

Fair Earthshare

A

The amount of land people would get if evenly divided.

41
Q

Fossil Fuels

A

Non-renewable and burned to produce energy.
Ex: Oil and natural gas

42
Q

Metallic Mineral

A

When refined they form metals. Mined for their beauty and rareness. AKA precious metals. Often mined for their strength or other unique properties such as conducting electricity.
Ex: Iron, Copper, Gold, Silver, Platinum, Nickel

43
Q

Milling

A

The beginning process of creating “ore concentrate” where waste rock is removed

44
Q

Mineral

A

A naturally occurring, pure, non-living substance found in the rocks of the earth.

45
Q

Mineral Reserve

A

A portion of a mineral resource that is economically mineable

46
Q

Underground Mining

A

Used to extract mineral ores located deep in the earth. Does the least damage to the environment.

47
Q

Renewable Resource

A

A resource that replaces itself unless badly mismanaged
Ex: Trees grow to replace those cut down or lost to fire or disease; polluted air is cleaned by the environment

48
Q

Non-Renewable Resource

A

Once they are removed form the earth, they will not be replaced in our life times.
- Can be stored for a considerable length of time after being extracted
- Most are not living organisms
Ex: Mineral resources (oil, gas, coal, copper)

49
Q

Tailings

A

Water materials from the smelting process - water, chemicals, rock particles) that are poisonous and must be disposed of

Natural Resources (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions