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Environmental Geology > Finals > Flashcards

Finals Flashcards

1
Q

Biologically active, porous medium that has developed in the uppermost layer of Earth’s crust. It is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that together support life.

A

Soil

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2
Q

True or False
Soils can be considered as a renewable resource

A

False. Nonrenewable

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3
Q

Earth’s body of soil is called

A

Pedosphere

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4
Q

The unconsolidated layer of material covering solid rock, which can come in the form of dust, soil or broken rock.

A

Regolith

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5
Q

Transported material by wind, water, or ice.

A

Sediment

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6
Q

The origin of soils ultimately begins when rocks physically disintegrate and chemically decompose in a process known as ____________.

A

Weathering

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7
Q

Refer to those processes that cause rocks to disintegrate into smaller particles by some mechanical means. Ex. frost wedging, root action, expansion and contraction.

A

Physical weathering

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8
Q

Refer to the process where individual mineral grains within a rock decompose due to chemical reactions. Ex. dissolution, hydration, hydrolysis, oxidation.

A

Chemical Weathering

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9
Q

As rocks undergo physical and chemical weathering and generate soil particles, there are other processes taking place within the soil which result in the formation of horizontal layers called _______________.

A

Soil horizon

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10
Q

Mostly minerals from parent material with organic matter incorporated. A good material for plants and other organisms to live.

A

Soil Horizon A - Topsoil

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11
Q

Mostly organic matter such as decomposing leaves.

A

Soil horizon O - Humus/Organic

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12
Q

Rich in minerals that leached (moved down) from the A or E horizons and accumulated here.

A

Soil horizon B - subsoil/zone of accumulation

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13
Q

Leached of clay, minerals, and organic matter, leaving a concentration of sand and silt particles of quartz or other resistant materials –missing in some soils but often found in older soils and forest soils.

A

Soil horizon E - Eluviated/Zone of leaching

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14
Q

The deposit at Earth’s surface from which the soil developed.

A

Soil horizon C - Parent Material

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15
Q

A mass of rock such as granite, basalt, quartzite, limestone or sandstone that forms the parent material for some soils –if the bedrock is close enough to the surface to weather. This is not soil and is located under the C horizon.

A

Soil horizon R - Bedrock

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16
Q

Soil characteristics can best be seen by digging a trench to obtain a vertical view called ___________.

A

Soil profile

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17
Q

Soil characteristic that is a result of different types of pigments.

A

Soil color

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18
Q

Organic matter gives soil a ___________ appearance.

A

blackish to brownish (ex. O and A horizon)

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19
Q

Iron oxide minerals generate ____________ colors.

A

Yellowish to reddish (ex. B horizon)

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20
Q

E horizons appear ______________ because they lack pigmenting materials.

A

whitish or blonde

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21
Q

40% sand grains, 40% silt, and 20% clay would be classed as

A

Loam soil

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22
Q

60% sand, 30% silt, and 10% clay

A

Sandy loam

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23
Q

The distribution of grain sizes within a soil is important since it plays a key role in determining a ?

A

soil’s permeability
ease of tillage
drought resistance
fertility

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24
Q

Soil characteristic that refers to the way in which soil particles are arranged.

A

Soil structure

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25
Q

Separate clumps that broke up from a previously undisturbed soil.

A

Peds or aggregates

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26
Q

This is a naturally occurring inorganic, solid with definite chemical composition where individual atoms are arranged in an orderly manner.

A

Mineral

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27
Q

This is simply an assemblage of one or
more minerals and/or mineraloids.

A

Rock

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28
Q

It is a concentration or occurrence of material of intrinsic economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction.

A

Mineral Resource

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29
Q

Refers to the degree to which a mineral resource is concentrated above its average concentration in the crust.

A

Enrichment factor

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30
Q

Those that contain an element or compound that has some value to society.

A

Ore mineral

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31
Q

Can be defined as a body of rock or sediment whose concentration of ore minerals is sufficiently high so that it is economically feasible to extract.

A

Ore deposit

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32
Q

True or False
The terms low-grade and high-grade refer to the enrichment level of ore deposits.

A

True

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33
Q

It is a deposit that is economical to extract under current conditions; economically mineable part of a measure and/ore indicated mineral resource.

A

Ore reserve

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34
Q

Diamond deposits are unique in that they
are found associated with magnesium-rich igneous rocks that form from magmas originating at depths of 120-200 km in the upper
mantle

A

Kimberlite pipes

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35
Q

Early-formed minerals somehow become separated from the remaining magma before
the cooling is complete. One way this can
happen is through a process called crystal settling, whereby dense, early-formed minerals fall or settle to the bottom of the magma chamber. This process can create layered ore deposits that geologists refer to as layered intrusions. Layered ore deposits typically contain metallic minerals that are valuable sources
of chromium, titanium, and vanadium.

A

Intrusive deposits

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36
Q

Minerals that crystallize from highly enriched fluids form what are referred to as _____?

A

Hydrothermal deposits

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37
Q

Engineering controls (levees) help keep the town of _______________, dry when the Mississippi River overflows its banks.

A

Trempealeau, Wisconsin

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38
Q

Described as the volume of water moving through a channel over a given time interval, commonly measured in units such as cubic feet per second (ft3/s).

A

Stream Discharge

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39
Q

a process where water flows through stream channels

A

Runoff

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40
Q

Precipitation reaching the land surface moves downslope in thin sheets

A

Overland flow

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41
Q

allows water to return back to the atmosphere.

A

Evaporation and plant transpiration

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42
Q

discharge of groundwater into the surface environment; fairly continuous unlike the sporadic input of water to a stream and groundwater may travel anywhere from a few days to thousands of years before discharging into a stream channel.

A

Groundwater baseflow

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43
Q

Precipitation that falls on the land surface can take different paths through the ________

A

hydrologic cycle

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44
Q

These provide information about a river or stream by simply plotting the discharge versus time.

A

Stream hydrographs

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45
Q

amount of time for water to move across the landscape and into channels; will vary depending on the distance between where the rain is falling and the particular channel where discharge is being measured.

A

lag time

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46
Q

Continuous input of groundwater baseflow allows streams in many areas to keep flowing at some minimum level, often called

A

baseflow conditions

47
Q

This contribution of groundwater baseflow keeps streams from going dry between rain events, thus is critical in maintaining the health of stream ecosystems.

A

baseflow conditions

48
Q

High precipitation allows more water to infiltrate to the water table which causes the water table in humid regions to be higher than the streams channel, thereby forcing groundwater to flow into streams.

A

Gaining streams

49
Q

result of less deep infiltration in arid areas resulting in a water table that is below the level of most stream channels. Under these conditions, the water in the stream will flow into the groundwater system.

A

Losing streams

50
Q

water that infiltrates and slowly makes its way to a stream through the groundwater systems provides a steady supply of water

A

baseflow

51
Q

network of stream channels where merging tributaries (smaller of any two merging channels) form progressively larger streams.

A

drainage system

52
Q

often applied to the larger stream that serves as the principal channel within a drainage system

A

river

53
Q

The upper portion of the drainage system

A

headwaters

54
Q

found in the lower part of the system where a river empties into an ocean, lake, or another river

A

mouth

55
Q

generally small and relatively fast moving and occupy narrow valleys, but then evolve toward the mouth into gently flowing rivers that occupy wider valleys.

A

headwater streams

56
Q

Individual systems are separated from one another by a topographic high or crest in the landscape

A

drainage divide

57
Q

represents the land area that collects water for an individual stream or river

A

drainage basin

58
Q

it helps explain how rainfall can cause flooding in one basin, but yet have no impact on stream discharge in adjoining basins.

A

drainage basin concept

59
Q

loose rock particles/sediments deposited on a stream

A

alluvium

60
Q

One of the key factors in a stream’s ability to erode the landscape

A

velocity of the water

61
Q

One of the key factors in a stream’s ability to erode the landscape

A

velocity of the water

62
Q

unstable overhang located at the outer bank which is produced by the velocity increase on the outer bank which subsequently enhances the ability of the water to cut (erode) into the bank.

A

cutbanks

63
Q

On the inner bank where velocity decreases, sediment tends to accumulate and form a deposit known as a ______

A

point bar

64
Q

Downcutting by streams is not performed by the water itself, but rather by the sediment that physically scrapes or wears away rock in a process called ______.

A

Abrasion

65
Q

form during periods of high stream discharge when the water column develops a swirling motion called an eddy current.

A

potholes

66
Q

These currents cause sediment on the streambed to slowly rotate, such that it grinds progressively deeper holes into the solid rock.

A

eddy current

67
Q

The velocity of a particular stream segment is controlled by the steepness of the channel, called _______.

A

stream gradient

68
Q

This concept is used to describe the lowest level to which a stream can erode.

A

base level

69
Q

Sea level is often referred to as _________ because the oceans represent the end or low point of most rivers (exceptions include isolated areas below sea level, such as the Dead Sea and Death Valley).

A

ultimate base level

70
Q

as a river flows toward the ocean it may encounter a series of _______ that form when its ability to cut downward is reduced by a resistance rock body, lake, or inland sea.

A

temporary base levels

70
Q

as a river flows toward the ocean it may encounter a series of _______ that form when its ability to cut downward is reduced by a resistance rock body, lake, or inland sea.

A

temporary base levels

71
Q

The ability of running water to transport and deposit sediment is dependent on:

A

water velocity and the types of particles being transported

72
Q

This describes the fraction of solid particles that is in a suspended state and moving at the same velocity as the water— suspended material is what makes streams appear muddy.

A

Suspended load

73
Q

consists of sediment particles that roll, bounce, or remain stationary on the streambed.

A

bed load

74
Q

The process whereby water separates sediment grains based on their size, shape, and density.

A

hydraulic sorting

75
Q

mound-shaped channel deposits consisting of sorted material ranging in size from boulders to coarse gravel to fine sand

A

bars

76
Q

Crescent-shaped bars that develop on the inside of meander bends where water velocity decreases.

A

point bars

77
Q

formed when a river enters a lake or ocean and splits into smaller channels and begins to deposit sediment due to a decrease in velocity.

A

Deltas

78
Q

are large fan-shaped deposits that form where steep mountain streams empty out onto valley floors at the mouth of rivers

A

alluvial fans

79
Q

a channel that is choked with sediment

A

braided stream

80
Q

migrates back and forth across the entrance to the valley, creating a characteristic fanshaped deposit

A

braided stream

81
Q

What is the formula of stream discharge?

A

SD = velocity x cross-sectional area
= velocity x width x depth

82
Q

It is the level at which a stream begins to
overflow its banks.

A

flood stage

83
Q

It is the amount of time needed for
runoff/floodwaters from headwaters to
reach a specific point downstream.

A

Lag time

84
Q

These are fluvial features that generally
develop due to significant changes in base
level owing to uplift and/or sea level regression.

A

Terracing

85
Q

Streams that are fed by groundwater
discharge are termed as _____________.

A

Gaining streams

86
Q

The erosion that occurs along the outside of meander bends produces wider valleys over time, whereas deposition on the inner banks helps to build a flat plain on the valley floor called a ______.

A

natural floodplain

87
Q

pair of ridges that run parallel to the bank which are formed due to the deposition of sediment, commonly sand, at the edge of the bank

A

natural levees

88
Q

areas on the floodplain that are poorly drained and can remain wet long after a flood

A

back swamps

89
Q

It is an isolated rock hill, knob, ridge,
or small mountain that rises abruptly
from a gently sloping or virtually level
surrounding plain.

A

inselberg/monadnock

90
Q

These are depositional landforms by
which an island becomes attached to the
mainland by a spit or bar.

A

tombolo

91
Q

These are streams that carry water only
during and immediately after a heavy
rainfall event.

A

ephemeral

92
Q

It is an ocean current that flows
parallel to the shore and is caused by
series of waves sweeping into the
shoreline at an angle and pushing down
the length of the beach in one direction

A

longshore current

93
Q

Determine the wave base if the
distance between two wave crests is 3
meters.

A

1.5 m

94
Q

What soil horizon is known as the
“zone of leaching”.

A

horixzon e

95
Q

What is the grain size range of
pebbles?

A

4-64mm

96
Q

It is the part of the shore between the
high tide and the highest water level,
which can only be reached by
exceptional storm waves.

A

backshore

97
Q

Spring tides will achieve
their highest tidal range during apogee
and aphelion.

A

false

98
Q

What process is responsible for the
formation of notches in coastlines?

A

wave action

99
Q

What structural mitigation measure to
counter floods and/or coastal erosion
involves the use of wire cages that are
filled with boulders?

A

gabions

100
Q

What Iron isotope accumulates in the
saprolitic zone/horizon B?

A

Fe (II)

101
Q

True or False: Typically, soil
profiles in arid regions will develop a
full suite of horizon, except Horizon
O, owing to accelerated rates of
weathering.

A

false

102
Q

It is the compass orientation of a
slope

A

aspect

103
Q

It is a carbonate texture classification
scheme that is based on depositional
texture and mud content

A

dunham

104
Q

The potential for flooding in a given area naturally increases as the ________ of rainfall increases.

A

intensity and duration

105
Q

floods that have short duration with relatively high peak discharge; small streams and rivers tend to rapidly overflow their banks

A

flash floods

106
Q
  • can be defined as one where a river leaves its channel farther down in its drainage basin, flowing out onto its floodplain and inundating large areas of the valley floor.
  • are caused by regional accumulations of water higher up in the drainage basin.
A

downstream floods

107
Q

blanc fixe

A

barium sulfate

108
Q

occurs when natural vegetation is removed from the landscape, which leads to increased overland flow and erosion that fills stream channels with excess sediment.

A

sediment pollution

109
Q

Wetlands (swamps) are commonly found in topographic depressions and adjacent to river channels, in which case they are called __________.

A

Riparian wetlands

110
Q

temporarily stores some the excesses water in a series of depressions which are constructed within the tributary network.

A

Retention basins

111
Q

a type of barrier in which vegetated strips line the banks of stream channels, trapping sediment before it can enter the drainage network.

A

stream buffers

112
Q

made of a synthetic fabric that is fine enough to trap sediment, but yet allows some water to pass.

A

silt fences

113
Q

are ponds constructed for the purpose of trapping any sediment that makes its way into a drainage system.

A

silt basins

Environmental Geology (1 decks)

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