Final Study Notes Flashcards
5 Basic principles of Environmental Geologic Study
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
Applied Geology
Geological information to help solve conflicts in land use, minimize degradation and maximize the beneficial results using our environments
Carrying Capacity
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
Doubling time
The time necessary for a quantity of whatever is being measured to double
Environmental Unity
A principle of environmental studies that states that everything is connected to everything else
Exponential growth formula
N=No x ekt
Geologic Time
Time extending from the beginning of Earth to the present
Human population growth
Exponentially
Land Ethic
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
Negative feedback
Triggers less of something
Positive Feedback
Triggers more of something
Precautionary principle
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)
Residence Time
The amount of time water stays in a body of water
Scientific Method
The method by which scientists work, starting with the asking of a question concerning a particular problem, followed by development and testing of hypotheses
Sustainability
Development and use of resources so that future generations will have a fair share in a quality environment
Uniformitarianism
Concept that the present is the key to the past; that is ,we can read the geologic record by studying present processes
Bioremediation
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
Desertification
Conversion of land from a more productive state to one more nearly resembling a desert
Engineering Soil Properties
Friction, cohesion, sensitivity, compressibility, erodibility, corrosion, shrink/swell
Laterite/Pedalfers
Thick accumulation of iron oxides and Al rich clays in B horizon, develops in humid tropical climates, supports rainforests
Paleosol
Old soil, serve as valuable indicators of land areas, to be preserved must be buried
Pedocal
No well developed O layer, high accumulation of CaCo3, associated with dry grasslands and deserts
Podzol
Typical soil profile, most productive for agriculture, temperate moist climates
Residual Soil
Parent material is underlying bedrock
Soil Fertility
Capacity of a soil to supply nutrients needed for plant growth when other factors are favourable
Soil Profile (Horizons)
OAEBCP
O
Organic Material (hummus)
A
Organic and mineral matter
E
Little organic matter (zone of eluviation and leaching)
B
Zone of accumulation (clay)
C
Partially altered parent material
P
Parent Material (unaltered rock)
Transported soil
Forms in place on parent material that has been carried from elsewhere and deposited (Glaciers)
Biodiversity
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
Keystone Species
Individual species with a strong community effect and disproportionate influence to their abundance
Aquifer
Rock with good permeability
Aquitard
Any geologic material that clocks water flow (impermeable)
Cone of Depression
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
Consumptive Use
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
Contouring
assume uniform geology unless otherwise told, contour as you would topography
Desalination
Engineering process and technology that reduce salinity of water to such a level that it may be consumed by people or used in agriculture
Ephemeral (Intermittent Streams)
Temporary or very short lived; characteristic of beaches, lakes and some stream channels that change rapidly
Hydraulic Gradient
Slope of water table
Infiltration (Percolation)
Movement of surface water into rocks or soil
Instream use
Water that is used but not withdrawn from its source (water to generate hydroelectric power)
Karst
Characterized by the presence of sinkholes, caverns, and diversion of surface water to subterranean routes
Offstream use
Water removed or diverted from its primary source for a particular use
Perennial Streams (Effluent streams)
Intersects water table, recharged by the groundwater, discharge water from the water table
Permeability
Connectedness of the pores (allows flow through a material)
Porostiy
Space between solid grains of a sample, measured in percent of the total volume
Rule of V’s
Point of V faces up stream
Vasdose Zone
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
Water Cycle
Circulation of water from oceans to atmosphere and back to ocean
Watershed
Land area that contributes water to a particular stream system
Water Table
Processes called infiltration causes water table, unsaturated zone, saturated zone, capillary fringe zone
Wetlands
Landscape features such as swamps, marshes, bogs or prairie potholes that are frequently or continuously inundated by water
Groundwater Flow
Movement of water in the subsurface below the groundwater table
Hydraulic gradient
Slope of the groundwater surface
Kart features
Sinkholes, caverns
Nonpoint Source
Diffused and intermittent sources of air or water pollutants
Plume
An often elongated three dimensional mass of pollutant or contaminant groundwater that is generally moving away from a contaminant source
Point Source
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
Subsidence
Sinking, settling or other lowering of parts of the crust of Earth
TDS, Hardness, pH, turbidity
All tests for water quality
Concentration Factor
The ratio of a metal’s necessary concentration for profitable mining to its average concentration in Earth’s crust
H2S
A toxic gas that is flammable and has the smell of rotten eggs
Coal Bed Methane
Methane stored on surfaces of organic matter in coal
Natural Gas
Sometimes also referred to as natural energy gas or hydrocarbons that include ethane, propane, butane and hydrogen
Ore, Gangue
Earth material from which a useful commodity can be extracted profitably
Peak Oil
The time when half of all oil on Earth will have been extracted
Placer Deposits
Ore deposit found in material transported and deposited by such agents as running water, ice or wind (Gold or diamonds found in river bed)
Reserves
Known and identified deposits of earth materials from which useful materials can be extracted profitably with existing technology under present economic and legal conditions
Resource
Includes reserves plus other deposits of useful earth materials that may eventually become available
Types of Coal
Lignite, subbituminous, bituminous, anthracite
