Natural Resources Flashcards
Source of products that are inherent to earth
Natural Resources
Two types of natural resources
Renewable and Nonrenewable
Examples of Renewable resources
Solar energy
Air/wind, Water/tides,
Soil/plants
Example of nonrenewable resources
Fossil Fuels
Metallic
Nonmetallic
example of fossil fuels
Oil
Coal
Natural Gas
Example of metallic minerals
Iron
Copper
Aluminum
example of nonmetallic minerals
Salt
Phosphates
Enlarging of human population putting pressure on the utilization of almost all natural resources.
Overpopulation which brings about over-exploitation
Such practices have claimed much space of the natural resources because farmers resort to converting forests and grasslands to croplands
Intensive Agricultural and Farming Practices
The severe changes in climate pattern as a result of human activities and overpopulation that generate greenhouse gases and carbon footprint in the atmosphere threatens biodiversity as well as other numerous natural resources
Climate Change and Global Warming
The majority of natural resources have been destroyed and a large portion is under immense threat due to toxic substances and chemicals emitted from industries, homemade utilities, and agricultural products among other processed materials.
Environmental Pollution
This lifestyle humans demand more comfortable living in
terms of education, entertainment, recreation, transport, clothing, and
shelter which will demand use of more resources and more production.
20th Century lifestyle
This often causes over-exploitation of the natural resources
Overpopulation which brings about over-exploitation
8R’s in saving natural resources
Reuse
Repurpose
Rot
Repair
Recycle
Refill
Reduce
Refuse
Causes of energy crisis
Overconsumption
Overpopulation
Poor infrastructure
Unexplored renewable energy options
Delay in commissioning of power plants
Waste of energy
Poor distribution
Major accidents and natural calamities
Water attacks
Miscellaneous Factors (strikes, political events, tax hikes)
One of the latest technologies nowadays that can
secure the earth’s energy requirement and at the same
time address the issues of climate change
Ocean thermal energy conversion
Three types of Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC)
Closed cycle or Anderson OTEC cycle
Open cycle or Claude OTEC cycle
Hybrid System
Which OTEC system:
A fluid with low boiling point like the ammonia is used to power up turbine in order to generate electricity.
Close cycle or Anderson OTEC cycle
Which OTEC system:
The heat exchanger pumps the warm surface seawater, where the ammonia is vaporized. It then turns the turbogenerator.
Close cycle or Anderson OTEC cycle
Which OTEC system:
The second heat generator now pumps the cold deep seawater then
condenses the vapor back into a liquid.
Close cycle or Anderson OTEC cycle
Which OTEC system:
The warm seawater is placed in a low-pressure container to boil. The steam produced powers the turbine attached to an electrical generator.
Open cycle or Claude OTEC cycle
Which OTEC system:
The steam produced is salt free, almost pure and fresh water. Once exposed to cold temperatures from deep ocean water, the steam will be condensed back into liquid.
Open cycle or Claude OTEC cycle
This OTEC system combines the features of both Closed and Open cycle.
Hybrid system
Which OTEC system:
The OTEC power plants are of two different kinds. There are floating power plants or sea based and
another is the land based. Both land and sea-based power plants work almost the same.
Hybrid system
Advantages of OTEC technology
Produces clean, green renewable energy
No chemical pollution
Does not involve burning fossil fuels
Provides potable water from the ocean
Produces fuels such as hydrogen
Can be used for aquaculture, refrigeration and air conditioning
Disadvantages of OTEC
Only suitable in tropical areas
Electricity produced is costly
Construction of OTEC powerplants requires great amount of investment
Construction of powerplants may damage coral reefs and marine ecosystem
OTEC may result to political concerns
Current Issues the environment is today
Air Pollution
Water Pollution
Soil and land pollution
Climate change
Global warming
Deforestation
Increasing Carbon footprint
Genetic modification
Effect on marine life
Public health issues
Overpopulation
