Lithosphere Flashcards
Describe the igneous processes that can cause the formation of metal ores around batholith.(2)
Hydrothermal/hot solutions;
cooling/freezing out/coming out of solution/crystallisation/separation; in vein;
magmatic segregation;
crystal/mineral density/melting point;
contact metasomatism;
mineral/rock replacement;
named mineral/ore;
[R metal unless elemental mineral]
Describe how future mineral supplies can be increased by better exploration techniques.(2)
Named technique;; description of how it works;; eg remote sensing monitoring from a distance/aerial/satellite surveys
gravimetry
density/force of gravity/igneous ores/named dense mineral
scintillometry/Geiger counter
radioactivity/named radioactive material
magnetometry
magnetic materials/magnetite/pyrrhotite/ilmenite/other named example
resistivity
ease of passage of electricity/metal ores/named ore
seismic/sonar
reflected/vibrations
core
sampling chemical/physical analysis
IR emission
analysis of different wave lengths
geobotany
plants associated with minerals
Explain the difference in the meanings of ‘resource’ and ‘reserve’. (2)
Resource
amount present/that can theoretically be exploited;
reserve
amount that can be exploited economically now/with existing technology;
Explain why the chemical form of a metal ore may affect the viability of exploitation. (2)
Named ore/mineral/metal;
qualified ease of (chemical) separation/bond breaking;
ref to reactivity;
Outline a technique that can be used to exploit low-grade ores. (2)
Named technique;
detail of method;
acid added
dissolves
bacteria/Thiobacillus
acid produced bioconcentration
hyperaccumulators/named taxon eg brassicas
precipitation/displacement
named chemical added eg Fe to displace Cu
electrolysis
ion deposition/electrode
ion substitution
named (ion) exchange material eg resin
open-cast mining
economies of scale
Explain the meaning of the term ‘cut-off ore grade’. (2)
Lowest grade;
that can be economically exploited;
Describe the effect that increased mechanisation has had on the amount of metal ore that can be mined. (2)
Increased amount;
deeper mining;
less labour intensive;
lower production/extraction costs/increased profit/more can be spent on mining
Suggest how the rapidly expanding industrial economies of China and India may affect the viability of tin mining at South Crofty. (3)
Increased demand;
higher (market) price/reduced cut-off ore grade;
increased viability;
OR
increased supply;
reduced price/increased cut off ore grade;
reduced viability/shuts
Describe how the typical pH of drainage water from the mine may be measured. (3)
Large sample numbers/long time period/regular samples/sample location;
pH meter; calibration; OR pH papers/solution/universal indicator/ref to pH/values; colour comparison; barium sulfate/sediment removal;
[R litmus papers]
Describe how the organic matter content of a soil sample may be estimated. (4)
Dry soil; weigh sample (of dry soil afterwards); heat to approx 500 °C/with Bunsen burner; burn off/oxidise organic matter; re-weigh (burnt soil); constant mass; mass difference = OM content (dry – burnt); calculate OM as a percent of dry soil;
Suggest how bacteria in the soil may affect its fertility. (4)
Nitrogen fixation; root nodules; nitrification; dentrification; decomposition; nutrients released; named nutrient (released);; humification; weathering; respiration; pH change/organic acids produced; toxin production; named bacterial taxa eg Rhizobium, Nitrobacter, Nitrosomonas, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, Nostoc;;
Outline how topography may affect the suitability of a site for reservoir construction. (2)
Named/described topographical feature;
impact on suitability;
eg
valley shape, steep sides, narrow exit for dam
effect on volume, evaporation rate, land loss
Outline how geology may affect the suitability of a site for reservoir construction.(2)
Named/described geological feature; impact on suitability; eg permeability speed of flow into/out of bedrock
stability/seismic activity/faults
collapse risk
stability/strength
subsidence risk
Outline two features of the overburden above the mineral that can affect the viability of the mine. (4)
Feature;; advantage/disadvantage;; eg hard difficulty mining
loose, uncompacted
landslides, more removed
deep
increased cost
permeable
drainage problems
chemical composition
pollution risk
Outline two methods of reducing environmental problems caused by mine machinery. (4)
Method to reduce problem 1;
detail of method 1;
method to reduce problem 2;
detail of method 2;
eg
water sprays for dust
settling
baffle mounds/trees for noise
absorption/deflection
timing/routing of traffic
avoid sensitive times/areas
choice of quieter transport method
rail replaces lorries
change of fuel to reduce spillage problems (biofuel)
biodegradable
One method used in spoil heap reclamation is the addition of soil followed by tree planting. The soil must have the right texture to reduce the risk of soil erosion.
Outline a method used to estimate the proportions of sand, silt, and clay in a soil sample. (2)
Add water and suspend/shake; allow to settle; measure proportions; OR dry; (shake through) sieve; weigh;
Suggest two ways in which exploiting low grade ores may cause increased environmental damage. (4)
Increased quantity that must be mined;
increased land take;
increased waste production;
named problem caused by waste;
increased energy use;
named problem of energy use;
Use an example to outline how material substitution can be used to conserve finite resources.(2)
Named new and replaced materials; named use/property; eg plastic replaces steel/chromium bumpers/body panels/lower density/cheaper
plastic replaces copper
fibre optics/light/total internal reflection
plastic replaces copper/lead
lighter/cheaper/glueable/piping
plastic replaces aluminium
reduced use of fossil fuels
biodiesel replaces fossil fuels
renewable
Describe how better exploratory techniques can be used to increase the proven reserves of minerals. (4)
Up to 3 named methods;;; up to 2 features of how methods work;; eg remote sensing/airborne surveys gravimetry scintillometry magnetometry resistivity submarines/ROV radar GPS soil/rock chemical analysis
A student planned a practical activity to determine the organic matter content of the soil in a field.
Describe a sample collection procedure which would ensure that the samples were representative of the whole field. (3)
Random/systematic/stratified sampling; how sampling sites are located; eg grid/random numbers number of samples; sample size; depth of samples; timing of samples; standardised collection method; explanation of why samples are representative;
Describe how the organic matter content of a dry soil sample could be measured. (3)
Weigh;
heat to high temperature/500−800°C/use Bunsen burner;
burn off/oxidise organic matter;
constant mass;
calculate mass drop/difference/percentage
Soil organisms play important roles in the nitrogen cycle.
Describe a method used to extract detritivores from soil.(3)
Tullgren funnel; heat/light; downward movement; collection; OR detergent/irritant/alternative material; collection area; worms come to surface; detail of timing; OR measured area; measured depth; dig up soil; hand sort/count worms;
Outline methods, other than revegetation, that can be used to stabilise mine spoil heaps. (4)
Method 1;
how method works;
Method 2;
how method works;
Method 3;
eg
landscaping/reduced slope angle/regraded/flatten out/spread
runoff slower/shearing reduced
organic matter incorporated
soil particle cohesion increased/stick together
addition of fertiliser/nutrients/lime/pH control
increased growth/root binding
compaction
increased cohesion/lower water content/soil particles stick together
drainage control/terracing/runoff collection/redirection
reduced lubrication/saturation/soil mass
toe foot support/retaining wall
barrier to movement/reduces shearing (stress)/prevents basal erosion
ground anchors/piles/poles and net/mesh
holds spoil together/allows plants to grow through
[R method if description is contradictory]
Describe how a Tüllgren funnel may be used to extract small invertebrates from a soil sample. (4)
Soil sample in middle/lower container/above funnel/below light; light/heat; time; organisms repelled/move away (from light/heat); [R movement due to gravity] through grill/mesh/filter/seive; collected (in container); preservative/named preservative; named taxon;
Explain why some soil invertebrates cannot be extracted using a Tüllgren funnel. (2)
Not mobile/too slow;
too large/big to pass through holes/grill/mesh/filter;
[R too large to enter funnel]
desiccation/die;
not repelled by/attracted to light/heat/dryness;
named taxon;
Habitat biodiversity is affected by soil pH. Describe how soil pH may be measured. (3)
EITHER multiple/many samples; addition of distilled water; pH meter;calibration; OR multiple/many samples; add distilled water; barium sulfate addition; pH papers/solution/universal indicator; colour comparison/reference to range of colours; [R litmus papers/red-blue]
Outline how soil structure affects soil fertility. (2)
Named ped/structure/description of ped feature;
eg crumb/block/plate/shape and size
property affecting fertility;
eg drainage/leaching/nutrient content/nutrient release/water content/aeration/root penetration/ temperature/ thermal capacity
[R reference to properties caused by texture/sand/silt/clay]
Describe one method that can be used to analyse the texture of a soil sample.(3)
EITHER Sieves/filters; dry soil; shake; ref to sequence different sizes of holes; ref to order of sand, silt, clay (in sieve stack); mass/volume percentage calculation; OR sedimentation: water; shake; settle; ref to order of (settling of) sand, silt, clay; mass/volume percentage calculation;
