earth's natural resources Flashcards
they are not made by humans but found within nature
Natural resources
can be replenished
renewable (perpetual)
can be replenished rapidily but not as fast as renewable
potentially renewable
Exists in a fixed quantity
and can be depleted
much faster than they are
formed
non renewable resources (exhaustible)
how many percentage of water is earth composed of?
71%
this are water that fills up spaces between ,materials such as fractured rocks
groundwater
how many percent is ground water accounted for?
95%
where does surface water like rivers and lake originate from?
watersheds
an
area of land on a slope which drains its
water into a stream and its tributaries
(small streams that supply water to a main
stream).
watershed
The combination of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and living organisms that cover the Earth’s surface and provide a medium for plant growth.
soil
The process by which rocks and minerals are broken down into smaller particles through physical and chemical weathering, along with the addition of organic matter.
Soil Formation:
The process of breaking down rocks without altering their chemical composition, often caused by factors like temperature changes, frost action, and pressure.
Physical weathering
The process of breaking down rocks by altering their chemical composition, often facilitated by factors like water, oxygen, and acidic substances.
chemical weathering
The process by which water moves soluble nutrients downward through soil layers, potentially leading to nutrient depletion in upper soil horizons.
leaching
Rainwater with an increased acidity due to pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which can alter soil pH and affect soil fertility and plant growth.
Acidic Rainfall
