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bio 381 > Lec 4 > Flashcards

Lec 4 Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Renewable resources

A

Resources that can be replenished over short periods of time

Sunlight, wind, organic matter etc.

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2
Q

Non-renewable resources

A

Can not be replenished or take a very long time to be replenished

As they are used, their remaining stock in the environment becomes depleted

Cannot be used in a sustainable fashion, can only be “mined”

Fossil fuels, minerals, aquifer water

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3
Q

Sustainability

A

The process of living within the limits of available physical, neutral and social resources in ways that allow the living systems in which humans are embedded to thrive in perpetuity

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4
Q

Fossil fuels

A

Highly combustible substances formed from remains of organisms that accumulate over time in sediments

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5
Q

Natural gas

A

Mostly methane, with some additional volatile hydrocarbons

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6
Q

Volatile

A

Can become a gas easily, has high vapor pressure

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7
Q

Biogenic natural gas

A

Formed at “shallow” depths

Formed via anaerobic decomposition of organic material by bacteria

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8
Q

Thermogenic

A

Formed at deeper depths

Formed via compression and heating of organic materials

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9
Q

How is natural gas extracted today

A

Fracking (hydraulic fracturing)

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10
Q

Pros of fracking

A

Get natural gas and other fuels that otherwise are locked up

Provides economic benefit

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11
Q

Cons of fracking

A

Massive potential environmental implications

Can cause earthquakes

Risk of groundwater contamination

Risk of pond spills

Loud and ugly

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12
Q

Other non-traditional gas sources

A

Landfills

Farms

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13
Q

The problem with natural gas

A

It is getting harder to extract

Fracking-based methods can be harmful for human health and the environment

We are running out

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14
Q

Coal

A

Organic material that has been so compressed is had become rock

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15
Q

Problems with metal and all types of mining

A

Erosion

Acid drainage (lots of water used and lots of chemicals deposited)

Toxic tailings

Loss of habitats and biodiversity to create a mine

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16
Q

Diamonds and gemstone mining

A

Started mining in Canada in the mid 90s

Important from an economic POV

Occurs in more Arctic area

17
Q

Most important nuclear fuels

A

Uranium and plutonium

18
Q

Use of nuclear fuels

A

Decay through fission into lighter elements, use the released heat energy to produce steam and then electricity

19
Q

Is nuclear fuel problematic for the environment

A

No but the location of the plant can be

20
Q

In situ leach mining

A

Mixing water with chemicals in order to create nuclear fuel

Problem for the environment

The water and chemical mix is released back into the environment

21
Q

Greatest use of phosphorous (P)

A

Fertilizer

22
Q

Problems with Mining P

A

Phosphate is mined as an ore which causes air pollution, water contamination and wildlife habitat destruction

23
Q

Solutions to fossil fuels

A

Wind energy

Solar energy

Hydro energy

24
Q

Solutions to harmful metals and gems

A

Better waste management

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

25
Q

Solution to nuclear fuel problems

A

Use uranium and plutonium in a safe way

Build nuclear plants in a safer area

Use more efficient tools such as fast-breeder reactors

26
Q

Phosphorous mining solutions

A

Stop using excess fertilizer

Increase erosion controls (stop digging up soil to reach the phosphate)

27
Q

Resource

A

Stuff we use to live comfortably

28
Q

Peat

A

Coal precursor

Compressed soil with decomposed organic matter (mostly decayed plants)

Under high pressure and heat, it undergoes physical and chemical changes and becomes coal

29
Q

How is coal mined

A

Subsurface mining

Strip mining

30
Q

Problems with burning coal

A

Formation of smog

Production of the highest amount of CO2 per unit heat

31
Q

“Clean” coal

A

Use methods to reduce the amount of SO2 and NO(X) emissions

Still produces massive amounts of CO2

32
Q

Outlook for coal

A

Clean tech helps, but we still need to reduce the use of coal

33
Q

Oil

A

Eclipsed coal as the most popular source of energy in the 60s

Canada is the 5th largest oil producer and the 7th largest consumer

34
Q

Tailing ponds

A

Engineered dam facilities to store tailings safely

35
Q

Problems with tailing ponds

A

Air pollution

Water pollution (Crude leaks, hydrocarbons)

Soil pollution (solid waste put into landfills, can reach soil)

36
Q

Problem with burning oil

A

CO2 and other GGs

37
Q

Peak Oil: The Hubbert Peak Theory

A

Point of maximum global production of oil

Oil production will eventually decline until all oil is depleted

Should be right about now

38
Q

Outlook for oil

A

Really need to reduce our reliance on oil as a fuel

Save it for plastics and other non-fuel uses

It is dirty, dangerous and limited

39
Q

Metals

A

All metals are limited in quantities

bio 381 (21 decks)

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