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Environmental Geology > Final Study Notes > Flashcards

Final Study Notes Flashcards

1
Q

5 Basic principles of Environmental Geologic Study

A

Scientific inquiry to solve a specific environmental problem may provide several potential solutions, the choice reflects our values
Natural hazards have always existed and always will, we must learn to recognize, avoid or minimize their threat
The Earth is effectively a closed system, our only viable home and resources are limited
Sustainability is the objective
Human population increase is the number one environmental problem

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2
Q

Applied Geology

A

Geological information to help solve conflicts in land use, minimize degradation and maximize the beneficial results using our environments

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3
Q

Carrying Capacity

A

The maximum number of of a population of a species that may be maintained within a particular environment without degrading the ability of that environment to maintain that population in the future

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4
Q

Doubling time

A

The time necessary for a quantity of whatever is being measured to double

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5
Q

Environmental Unity

A

A principle of environmental studies that states that everything is connected to everything else

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6
Q

Exponential growth formula

A

N=No x ekt

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7
Q

Geologic Time

A

Time extending from the beginning of Earth to the present

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8
Q

Human population growth

A

Exponentially

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9
Q

Land Ethic

A

How we all use the land, and how it affects others and must be considered, we need to reaffirm the right of all resources to exist and at least in some way to remain natural

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10
Q

Negative feedback

A

Triggers less of something

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11
Q

Positive Feedback

A

Triggers more of something

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12
Q

Precautionary principle

A

An environmental planning tool that advocates taking cost-effective, proactive steps to eliminate or reduce that consequences of an environmental problem even if the science is not completely worked out (better safe than sorry)

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13
Q

Residence Time

A

The amount of time water stays in a body of water

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14
Q

Scientific Method

A

The method by which scientists work, starting with the asking of a question concerning a particular problem, followed by development and testing of hypotheses

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15
Q

Sustainability

A

Development and use of resources so that future generations will have a fair share in a quality environment

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16
Q

Uniformitarianism

A

Concept that the present is the key to the past; that is ,we can read the geologic record by studying present processes

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17
Q

Bioremediation

A

Refers to technology that utilizes natural or enhanced microbial action in the soil to degrade organic contaminants at the site, not requiring excavation of the soil

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18
Q

Desertification

A

Conversion of land from a more productive state to one more nearly resembling a desert

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19
Q

Engineering Soil Properties

A

Friction, cohesion, sensitivity, compressibility, erodibility, corrosion, shrink/swell

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20
Q

Laterite/Pedalfers

A

Thick accumulation of iron oxides and Al rich clays in B horizon, develops in humid tropical climates, supports rainforests

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21
Q

Paleosol

A

Old soil, serve as valuable indicators of land areas, to be preserved must be buried

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22
Q

Pedocal

A

No well developed O layer, high accumulation of CaCo3, associated with dry grasslands and deserts

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23
Q

Podzol

A

Typical soil profile, most productive for agriculture, temperate moist climates

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24
Q

Residual Soil

A

Parent material is underlying bedrock

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25
Q

Soil Fertility

A

Capacity of a soil to supply nutrients needed for plant growth when other factors are favourable

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26
Q

Soil Profile (Horizons)

A

OAEBCP

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27
Q

O

A

Organic Material (hummus)

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28
Q

A

A

Organic and mineral matter

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29
Q

E

A

Little organic matter (zone of eluviation and leaching)

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30
Q

B

A

Zone of accumulation (clay)

31
Q

C

A

Partially altered parent material

32
Q

P

A

Parent Material (unaltered rock)

33
Q

Transported soil

A

Forms in place on parent material that has been carried from elsewhere and deposited (Glaciers)

34
Q

Biodiversity

A

Refers to the variety of life in an area, region or Earth. Also refers to the total number of species of the main species encountered

35
Q

Keystone Species

A

Individual species with a strong community effect and disproportionate influence to their abundance

36
Q

Aquifer

A

Rock with good permeability

37
Q

Aquitard

A

Any geologic material that clocks water flow (impermeable)

38
Q

Cone of Depression

A

when water is pumped faster than it can be replenished in a system a local draw-down occurs, can change the regional flow of groundwater

39
Q

Consumptive Use

A

A type of offstream use in which the water does not return to the stream or groundwater resource after use; the water evaporates, is incorporated into crops or products, or is consumed by animals or humans

40
Q

Contouring

A

assume uniform geology unless otherwise told, contour as you would topography

41
Q

Desalination

A

Engineering process and technology that reduce salinity of water to such a level that it may be consumed by people or used in agriculture

42
Q

Ephemeral (Intermittent Streams)

A

Temporary or very short lived; characteristic of beaches, lakes and some stream channels that change rapidly

43
Q

Hydraulic Gradient

A

Slope of water table

44
Q

Infiltration (Percolation)

A

Movement of surface water into rocks or soil

45
Q

Instream use

A

Water that is used but not withdrawn from its source (water to generate hydroelectric power)

46
Q

Karst

A

Characterized by the presence of sinkholes, caverns, and diversion of surface water to subterranean routes

47
Q

Offstream use

A

Water removed or diverted from its primary source for a particular use

48
Q

Perennial Streams (Effluent streams)

A

Intersects water table, recharged by the groundwater, discharge water from the water table

49
Q

Permeability

A

Connectedness of the pores (allows flow through a material)

50
Q

Porostiy

A

Space between solid grains of a sample, measured in percent of the total volume

51
Q

Rule of V’s

A

Point of V faces up stream

52
Q

Vasdose Zone

A

Zone or layer above the water table in which some water may be suspended or moving in a downward migration toward the water table or laterally toward a discharge point

53
Q

Water Cycle

A

Circulation of water from oceans to atmosphere and back to ocean

54
Q

Watershed

A

Land area that contributes water to a particular stream system

55
Q

Water Table

A

Processes called infiltration causes water table, unsaturated zone, saturated zone, capillary fringe zone

56
Q

Wetlands

A

Landscape features such as swamps, marshes, bogs or prairie potholes that are frequently or continuously inundated by water

57
Q

Groundwater Flow

A

Movement of water in the subsurface below the groundwater table

58
Q

Hydraulic gradient

A

Slope of the groundwater surface

59
Q

Kart features

A

Sinkholes, caverns

60
Q

Nonpoint Source

A

Diffused and intermittent sources of air or water pollutants

61
Q

Plume

A

An often elongated three dimensional mass of pollutant or contaminant groundwater that is generally moving away from a contaminant source

62
Q

Point Source

A

Usually discrete and confined sources of air or water pollutant such as popes that enter into a stream or river or stack emitting waste from factories or other facilities into the atmosphere

63
Q

Subsidence

A

Sinking, settling or other lowering of parts of the crust of Earth

64
Q

TDS, Hardness, pH, turbidity

A

All tests for water quality

65
Q

Concentration Factor

A

The ratio of a metal’s necessary concentration for profitable mining to its average concentration in Earth’s crust

66
Q

H2S

A

A toxic gas that is flammable and has the smell of rotten eggs

67
Q

Coal Bed Methane

A

Methane stored on surfaces of organic matter in coal

68
Q

Natural Gas

A

Sometimes also referred to as natural energy gas or hydrocarbons that include ethane, propane, butane and hydrogen

69
Q

Ore, Gangue

A

Earth material from which a useful commodity can be extracted profitably

70
Q

Peak Oil

A

The time when half of all oil on Earth will have been extracted

71
Q

Placer Deposits

A

Ore deposit found in material transported and deposited by such agents as running water, ice or wind (Gold or diamonds found in river bed)

72
Q

Reserves

A

Known and identified deposits of earth materials from which useful materials can be extracted profitably with existing technology under present economic and legal conditions

73
Q

Resource

A

Includes reserves plus other deposits of useful earth materials that may eventually become available

74
Q

Types of Coal

A

Lignite, subbituminous, bituminous, anthracite

Environmental Geology (4 decks)

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