Resource security Flashcards
1
Q
Name two water transfer schemes.
A
South Africa, and Lesotho
2
Q
What is a stock resource?
A
A resource that is finite and therefore can be exhausted.
3
Q
What is a flow resource?
A
These are ongoing, and either immediately available or created at a comparable rates to consumption.
4
Q
Reasons for mineral resources.
A
Mineral content discovered within a rock.
The conditions geologically.
The accessibility in relations to the market.
5
Q
What is a resource frontier?
A
They are exploited once it can be determined what is located in an area. Not previously explored.
6
Q
What is a resource peak?
A
The point where resources reaches a point whereby it begins to diminish.
7
Q
What is the name for the idea of peak resources?
A
Hubbert’s Curve
8
Q
When is it predicted that peak oil will occur?
A
2030
9
Q
What determines peak production?
A
The availability and discovery of reserves.
Development of new technologies.
Demand for the resource.
The grade of the available resource.
10
Q
How can resources be managed sustainably?
A
Long term planning, in order that extraction doesn’t occur too quickly.
Ensuring that there is a plan for workers after the collapse of the resource.
Aiming to prolong the extraction process.
11
Q
What is an EIA?
A
Environmental Impact Assessment
12
Q
What is the purpose of an EIA?
A
Assess the potential impacts of a resource development project, and is completed before this occurs.
13
Q
What do EIA’s contain within them?
A
The potential dangers created by a project, the damage it can have upon flora and fauna along with the damage to the topography.
Suggests ways to mitigate against any major environmental impacts.
14
Q
What does an EIA lead to?
A
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
15
Q
What is an inferred resource?
A
Has possible economic viability, but not known.
16
Q
What is a possible resource?
A
Expected that the inferred resource could materialise, with further exploration.
17
Q
What is an Indicated resource?
A
Conditions and location of the resource is can be predicted, and planning for exploitation can occur.
18
Q
What is a measured resource?
A
Detailed planning has occurred, and the resource is certain.
19
Q
Why do LIC’s require more minerals?
A
To aid development and technological advancements.
20
Q
What are the trading patterns of minerals?
A
Increased demand, as they are required by more nations.
Minerals are shipped from multiple nations, towards China. This aids in the creation of technology.
Creates a global trading network, that enables technology consumption.
21
Q
What is geopolitics?
A
The factors of both political and geographical, that influence the use of land and resources.
22
Q
How can environmental impacts of mineral extraction be mitigated?
A
Spraying water on mine roads to reduce toxic dust in the air.
Not mining on environmentally unstable areas.
Processing onsite processing to reduce emissions of transporting it elsewhere.
23
Q
How can environmental impacts of mineral transport be mitigated?
A
Driverless trains and trucks are more efficient, decreasing emissions.
Using more efficient fuels in vehicles.
24
Q
How can environmental impacts of mineral processing be mitigated?
A
Creating aluminium having only oxygen as a bi-product, making it carbon neutral.
Improving efficiency in mining.
Powering plants using renewable sources of energy.
25
What is a mineral?
A naturally occurring compound formed by chemical processes, meaning that they are not organic.
26
How can a site be restored following extraction?
Planting trees.
Stabilising waste material.
Tailing management Facilities- used to store waste
Planting vegetation on piles to remove toxins within the ground
27
What makes copper sustainable?
It can be recycled, meaning the amount of mining required is much less than previous years.
28
How much is water demand predicted to increase by 2050?
55%
29
What is water stress?
When demand supersedes the available amount of clean and safe water.
1700m3 per person.
30
What can water stress lead to?
Over-exploitation of long term water stores, such as aquifers.
31
What is eutrophication?
The process of de-salination within bodies of water, due to the cover of vegetation preventing light into water.
32
What is economic water scarcity?
A country has enough water, but due to their economic status they are unable to exploit it .
33
What are the patterns of global energy trade?
Many nations are beginning to develop alternate domestic sources of energy.
It is becoming much less economically viable to import stock energy sources.
34
What has changed the dynamics of water geopolitics?
Climate change and population growth.
35
What are the concerns is diplomatic solutions are not made about water sources?
Water wars between nations.
36
What will river management aim to prevent?
severe shrinking of main rivers, that act as water sources.
Water wars, and to allow each nation sufficient water.
37
Where is the majority of drinkable water stored?
Antarctic ice caps
Greenland.
38
How much water is directly available for human consumption?
1%
39
Why is water demand predicted to increase?
Higher demand from LIC's and NEE's for resources.
Expansion of economic activities.
40
Which areas are at most risk for water stress?
Highly urbanised areas, especially in areas that have exploited all groundwater.
41
How might cities combat water stress in the future?
Digging deeper into aquifer stores.
Collecting rainwater, in water catchments.
Desalination of sea water.
42
How can water supply be increased?
Storage- Dams
Diversion- moved from its natural course
Water Transfer
Desalinisation
Water Catchment
43
How does water catchment increase water supply?
Wetland restoration or reforestation allows for more rainwater to be collected. Water companies are able to block drainage to increase water retention, whereas farmers can use higher surface runoff.
44
How does water storage increase water supply?
The construction of temporary dams means that the needs for water can be met with each season. During the wet season water can be stored, and during the dry season this water can be diverted to fields.
45
How does water diversion increase water supply?
Provides better irrigation for the areas that require it, and drinking water. However it has to be carefully managed to avoid long term damage.
46
How does water transfer increase water supply?
Moving water from areas of excess, to areas of deficit ensures equal share of water.
47
How does desalinisation increase water supply?
Over 96% of earth's water is found in the ocean. By converting some of this into practical water, it allows for nations with access to the ocean to create more freshwater.
48
What processes are used in desalinisation?
Thermal distillation and reverse osmosis.
49
Why is desalinisation not a strong solution to increasing water supply?
It is highly expensive.
It is energy intensive.
Creates highly saline products that are then required to be disposed of safely.
50
Why does climate have an impact upon water supply?
Summer periods produce less low pressure, meaning that there is less rain.
Extreme weather conditions can produce high levels of overland flow, or extreme shortages of water.
Summer seasons make it hard for infiltration due to hard ground. Similarly, there is increased snow melt and evapotranspiration.
51
Why does geology have an impact upon water supply?
Permeable and porous rocks act as aquifers.
Alternating bands of rock, can lead to natural water gathering in basins or synclines.
Hard resistant rock can increase surface runoff, and relief rainfall.
52
Why does drainage have an impact upon water supply?
Higher drainage densities come from rivers, meaning they are more efficient water gathers.
53
What are the climate predictions for the UK?
Warmer, Drier summers and wetter winters.
Average rainfall across the nation will decrease slightly.
More extreme weather.
54
What are the strategies to manage water consumption?
Food consumption
Water conservation
Water meters.
55
How can water consumption be managed at home?
Dual flush toilets.
Water harvesting storage (water butt)
Energy saving washing machine.
Shut off hosepipe.
Water plants early or late in the day, to minimise evapotranspiration.
Turn off taps when not using them.
56
How does food consumption help manage water consumption?
Livestock and crops require large amounts of water to produce food. Therefore, changes to diet may be required to reduce water consumption.
Eating fruit in season would also decrease water consumption.
57
How does food consumption help manage water consumption?
Livestock and crops require large amounts of water to produce food. Therefore, changes to diet may be required to reduce water consumption.
Eating fruit in season would also decrease water consumption.
58
How does water conservation help manage water consumption?
New technologies enable for household devices to use less water when used. By using a dishwasher, more water is saved than if hand washed.
Equally using a shower over a bath, less water is used.
59
How does a water meter help manage water consumption?
It allows people to only pay for the water that they actually use. This forces people to think about the water they use before they use it.
60
What does successful water consumption reduction look like?
A change in people's attitudes, towards a more sustainable way of living.
61
What are methods of water management?
Greywater Recycling
Rainwater collection
Groundwater management.
62
What is greywater recycling?
Water from showers, sinks and washing machines is sent to a recycling plant. This water is then Plumbed back into toilets and garden taps.
63
Why is greywater recycling not widely used?
I t is expensive and energy intensive to pump water to the areas that it is needed.
Hard to treat and store the 'dirty' water.
64
What is rainwater collection?
Water is collected from roofs, and diverted into pipes to flush toilets and wash clothes.
65
Why is rainwater collection a good method of water management?
It is not expensive.
Rainwater is less likely to carry bacteria.
The water does not have to be stored.
66
What is ground water management?
It provides 30% of freshwater.
It maintains sustainable water reserves, rather than lots of water abstraction.
67
What are primary energy sources?
Raw materials used in their original form, such as coal, oil and wood.
68
What are secondary energy sources?
A raw material converted into a practical and convenient form. Such as petrol, diesel and electricity.
69
What are the key locations that produce and consume coal?
China is the largest consumer and producer.
The North American belt contains nearly 70% of the world's coal.
Little coal is mined in the Southern hemisphere.
70
What are the trends of coal usage?
HIC's are aiming to remove/phase out all coal usage.
Increased use in China and India, as developing nations.
Increased usage in eastern Europe.
71
What are the key locations related to oil?
OPEC members control 3/4 of the market.
Large reserves in the Caspian sea, and the Mexican gulf.
72
What are the trends of oil sources?
Exploration into the Arctic due to price inflation.
Moves towards fracking to meet needs within nations.
73
Where are the main producers of natural gas?
Russia, Canada and the USA.
74
What has occurred with NG production recently?
Increased very quickly.
European production is declining slowly.
Fracking may not produce as much product.
75
Where is the main producer of Uranium?
Kazakhstan.
76
What is the global energy mix?
A drastic decline in Coal.
A growth in oil dependence.
Growth in gas dependence, due to the decline in coal.
Movement towards renewable technology.
77
What is the relationship between geography and energy?
Geology holds stock energy sources.
Climate Change might give opportunities for more use of renewables.
The environmental impacts of some sources, can lead to them being unexploitable due to surroundings.
78
What is energy security?
The access to reliable and affordable energy sources.
79
What is the distribution of global energy sources?
Uneven, as physical geography dictates the abundance of stock resources.
Large stock reserves are located in politically unstable nations, meaning that supply can be unpredictable.
80
What are energy supplies like in a globalised world?
Energy has become vital, meaning that alliances have become vital in determining energy security. The geopolitics of energy have become important, due to the heavy reliance of energy.
81
Why is there a need to increase energy supply?
Most energy is supplied by stock resources, that will run out.
Global population is still growing meaning that demand will continue to grow.
Energy poverty continues to plague LIC', meaning they are trapped in a cycle.
82
How can oil and gas increase energy supply?
Exploration for new sources ensures that current demands can continue to be met.
Shale and oil fracking have the ability to be highly profitable.
Deep offshoring in environmentally challenging areas, such as Antarctica.
83
How can nuclear power increase energy supply?
It is highly efficient, and produces large amounts of energy.
It is a carbon neutral process, making it environmentally friendly.
84
What are the negatives of nuclear power?
It is extremely expensive.
Only HIC's are able to afford it, so it doesn't solve the universal issue.
They can be highly dangerous- Chernobyl.
They produce toxic waste as a by-product.
85
What are the advantages of Solar Power?
No pollution.
Photovoltaic cells are cheap.
Potential to work in the Tropics.
86
What are the disadvantages of solar?
Requires sun to work.
Requires large surface areas for the cells to be laid.
87
What are the advantages of Wind?
No pollution.
Easy to implement in smaller areas.
Low running costs.
88
What are the disadvantages of wind?
Requires wind to work.
Creates noise and visual pollution.
Expensive to build.
Can affect bird and marine life.
89
What are the advantages of wave power?
No pollution.
Largest storm waves are during the periods of high energy demand.
90
What are the disadvantages of wave power?
Weather dependant.
High maintenance and construction costs.
Affects marines life.
Not commercially viable.
91
What are the advantages of tidal power?
No pollution.
Tides are predictable.
92
What are the disadvantages of tidal power?
High installation costs.
Limited suitable tidal ranges.
Barrages disrupt ships and trade.
93
What are the advantages of geothermal power?
Very low running costs.
No pollution.
94
What are the disadvantages of geothermal power?
Expensive to install.
Limited numbers of suitable locations.
95
How does geothermal power work?
Generates electricity through steam, produced by pumping water onto volcanically heated rocks.
96
How can energy consumption be managed?
Making improvements to electricity generation, that currently is inefficient.
Moving to more efficient methods of electricity gen, such as HEP or renewables.
Encourage through taxation, meaning that companies get tax incentives if they adopt energy efficient methods.
Introducing the ULEZ areas, can mean less consumption.
97
How can decentralising energy generation manage consumption?
Using Combined Heat and Power, electricity can be generated locally.
This creates heat, and electricity through a steam turbine, which can then be pumped into homes purely when required.
Allows for excess electricity to be pumped back into the grid, giving owners money.
98
Where uses CHP to power homes?
Denmark, can small areas of the UK.
99
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
Short wave radiation is allowed to the earth's surface, and then Long wave radiation is trapped by GHG's.
Acts a trap for heat, to provide earth's climate.
Increasing the amount of GHG's in the atmosphere, amplifies this impact.
100
Why is the enhanced Greenhouse effect important?
It aids climate change. Meaning that:
We have increased extreme seasons.
Intense rainfall
More environmental migrations.
101
What can be done to curb GHG emissions?
Reducing car travel, and improving efficiency.
Converting coal plants into natural gas.
Carbon capture schemes.
Using Nuclear power.
Increasing solar panel surface areas.
102
How can a home conserve more energy?
Insulation in the roof.
Underwater tank of rainwater to fuel toilets.
Light bulbs to be energy efficient.
Movement sensors mean that lights are only one when needed.
All kitchen appliances are A rated.
Solar powered water heating.
Energy efficient Gas boiler.
103
How can people actively conserve more energy?
Reducing food miles.
Switching devices off at the wall.
Flying less.
Driving less, or car sharing.
Calculating our carbon footprint.
104
Why do GHG's lead to acid rain?
Sulphur dioxide collects in clouds, due to emissions from power stations.
This then leads to sulphuric and nitric acid pouring over vegetation.
This led to trees having stunted growth or dying.
This led to clean air acts being passed to prevent this issue.
105
What needs to be considered when building nuclear power stations?
Careful storage of the waste products.
Requirement of a geologically stable area for construction and storage.
Terrorism risks.
Effects upon the local economy and population.
106
Why is copper such an important metal?
It conducts electricity, so can be used in all transmission cables.
It is used in construction for water pipes, tanks and taps.
Used as parts of railway tracks.
Used in fridges and Aircon systems.
Combined with nickel to make a corrosion- resistant material in shipbuilding.
107
What are the different types of oil?
Heavy crude- Found in the North Sea.
Light 'sweet' crude- Found in Saudi Arabia.
108
What is concentrated solar power?
Testing in Morocco.
Mirrors reflect light onto a central point, heating it to generate power. It takes time for the heat to dissipate, meaning it also generates heat at night.
109
What are the straights of Hormuz?
20% of the worlds oil travels between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
In 2011, Iran threatened to close the straight.
110
What are current events involving geopolitics of gas?
Germany relies heavily on Russian gas, with £220 million spent a day.
In 2023, the Nordstream pipeline has been blown up, as Germany is no longer accepting russian gas.
111
What is a current event involving water geopolitics internationally?
Ethiopia building the Grand Renaissance on the Nile River.
It blocks water flowing downstream into Egypt, disrupting their farming.
Egypt has threatened military action.
112
What are the sustainability issues with copper extraction?
Land take- more land is required for the mining than the mine itself, leading to habitat loss.
Dust Pollution- Created by blasts and vehicle movement.
Noise pollution- machinery disturbs wildlife, however baffle mounds can be added to absorb sounds.
Toxic leachates- Chemicals that are unearthed during mining can become soluble killing plants and animals.
113
What are the sustainability issues of copper trade?
The mining and metals Scenarios 2030- aimed to examine global economics and trade futures of minerals.
Green trade alliance- Aimed to promote sustainability without compromising competition. Introducing protectionist measures for the members of the treaty.
114
What are the sources of Copper?
Latin America contains half of all copper reserves.
The ore is only found in cavities of igneous rock, meaning that metal content is very low in copper.
The second largest reserve is found in Australia.
115
Where are the largest areas of copper consumption?
Asia
China overtook USA due to it's rapidly developing economy.
116
What determines a successful site restoration after copper extraction?
The characteristics of the site
The quantity of material removed.
Depth of the deposit.
The composition of surrounding rocks.
117
How sustainable is copper processing?
Smelting creates sulphur dioxide gas, however most of the gas can be collected and used in fertiliser.
It is easily recycled.
