GEOL 120 - Final Flashcards
Geologic Definition of Soils
Earth material altered to support rooted plant life.
Engineering Definition of Soils
Earth material removable without blasting.
O Horizon
Mostly organic (brown/black).
A Horizon
Organic materials and clay.
E Horizon
Clay and less organics (transition layer).
B Horizon
Ions precipitate to form new minerals (subsoil).
C Horizon
Transition to substrate/bedrock.
Zone of Leaching
Topsoil and transition layers (O, A, E).
Zone of Accumulation
The B horizon
Soil Color and Drainage
Well drained: red color due to iron oxidixing
Poorly drained: yellow color
Soil Fertility
Capacity to support plant nutrients. Improved by adding organic matter, nutrients, and drainage systems.
Hydraulic Conductivity
Ability of material to transmit fluids (permeability).
Agricultural Soil Erosion
Caused by plowing, flooding, pestisides. removes topsoil, reducees fertility.
Urbanization and Soil Erosion
Negatively affects soil duee to runoff and soil scraping.
Urban Waste Disposal Problems
Increasing due to population growth
Byproducts of Waste Incineration
Air pollutants and toxic ash residue
Leachates
Water percolated through solid, transporting chemicals/bacteria.
Sanitary Landfill Locations
Considers topography, groundwater, precipitation, soil, and proximity to sensitive areas.
Love Canal Environmental Problem
Toxic chemicals surfaced due to heavy rain/snowfall.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Governs solid and hazardous waste disposal.
Pros of Deep Well Disposal
Long-term operation, cost effective
Cons of Deep Well Disposal
Risk of earthquakes, groundwater contamination
Valuable Resource from Sanitary Landfills
Methane (natural gas)
Industrial Ecoloy Concept
Aim for “zero waste” by mimicking natural ecosystems
Limiting Liability for Contamination
Conducting environmental audits before purchasing real estate.
London Smog Crisis
Industrial pollution, burning of coal.
Atmosphere for Waste Disposal
Large, dynamic, fast-moving
Sources of Air Pollution
Point, mobile, area, and fugitive sources
Point Sources
Distinct location from which pollutants are discharged e.g pipes, smokestacks
Mobile Sources
Emmisions from a mobile source e.g cars
Area Sources
Pollution from multiple sources in a well-defined area e.g small urban communities
Fugitive Source
Pollution from open areas exposed to wind processes e.g wildfires
Examples of Secondary Pollutants
Ozone, sulfate, nitrate
Major Sources and Effects of Sulfur Dioxide
Fossil fuels, industrial processes; corrosion, lung damage, acid rain
Causes of Acid Rain
Chemical reaction of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides with water and oxygen
Effects of Nitrogen Dioxide
Eye/throat irritation, smog, acid rain
Atmospheric Inversions and Air Quality
Traps pollutants closer to the surface
Photochemical/LA smog
Formed by complex reactions, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and solar radiation, related to automobile usage.
Air Pollution Patterns
Worsen during afternoon-evening peak sun
Radon Gas
Comes from soil, problematic in basements and first floors
Blue Zone and Longevity Factors
Demographic/geographic areas with longer life spans; proximity to urban areas/highways.
Life Span in the US
Shorter in south/southeast, longer in northeast/west coast/midwest.
Well Being in the US
Better in west, average in northeast/west coast/southwest, lowest in midwest/south.
Easter Island
environmental damage (extinction, deforestation) due to resistance to change
Mayans
environmental damage (deforestation, soil erosion), climate change (droughts) hostile neighbors (chronic warfare), resistance to change (kings isolated from issues)
Greenland Norse
environmental damage (deforestation, soil erosion), climate change (colder), hostile neighbors (military problems), changes in friendly trade partners (Europe cutoff), resistance to change (refused to adapt to changing times)
Sustainability and Challenges
Equal access to resources for future generations; cost, politics, delayed recognition.
Reasons for Societal Collapse
Environmental damage, climate change, hostile neighbors, changes in friendly trade partners, and resistance to change (political, economic, social)
