Resources Flashcards
What is a renewable resource and give examples
A resource that will replenish itself over time. Such as: water wood animal and plant products sunlight wind
What is a non-renewable resource and give examples
A resource that will not replenish itself over time, or takes a long time to do so. Such as: Oil Coal Natural gas Uranium All metals mined from the Earth
Why do fossil fuels have this name?
Fossil fuels means that these energy sources come from life from the ancient past. They were made millions of years ago by microscopic sea creatures (oil) and plants living in swampy conditions (coal) that became trapped under layers of sediment and have undergone a fossilisation process.
Uses of fossil fuels
petrol electricity generation plastic production heating cooking
Process for formation of coal
Ancient plants die millions of years ago and formed layers of rotting materials on the floors.
Under pressure from layers above, material turns into peat (a soft, dark, rotting mass).
Sea levels fall and rise and sediments are deposited on top of peat.
Heat and pressure turn peat into brown coal (lignite).
Further heat and pressure turn lignite into bituminous coal and eventually, black coal (anthracite).
Formation of oil and natural gas
They are formed y the remains of tiny sea animals and plants buried on the ocean floor.
After millions of years of heat and pressure, form sedimentary rocks.
Chemical reactions slowly turn this into oil and natural gas.
Porous rocks like limestone and sandstone allow substances to seep through and move upwards.
The oil and natural gas keep moving up until they are stopped by a layer of non-porous or impermeable rock.
Common minerals
Bauxite to aluminium
Haematite to iron
Cinnabar to mercury
Define the term ore
A compound or mixture of compounds from which it is economic to extract a desired substance such as metal.
What is the process of extracting a metal from an ore?
Mining - to extract the ore from the ground.
Milling - to concentrate or purify the ore, usually with physical techniques
Smelting - to extract crude metal from ore using chemical techniques
Refining - to purify the crude metal
Lithosphere
Solid, rocky part of the Earth. Common elements include carbon, silver, gold, oxygen, hydrogen and tin.
Hydrosphere
Watery part of the Earth. Common elements include hydrogen, sodium, potassium, oxygen and chlorine
Atmosphere
Gaseous part of the Earth. Common elements include nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, oxygen and carbon.
Biosphere
Parts of the Earth where living things are found. Common elements include carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen.
Resources from each sphere
Lithosphere: rocks, metals, minerals, gemstones and pigments
Hydrosphere: water and salts
Atmosphere: gases
Biosphere: meat, leather, wood, paper, fruits and vegetables
Define recycling
Any process or treatment that can be applied to waste materials to make them suitable for reuse.
Household items that can be recycled
metal, paper, glass and plastic
Use of the plastic codes
Recyclable plastics have codes printed on them with the number printed inside the recyclable logo. Different numbers stand for different things. Such as:
PETE (1) - Polyethylene terephthalate
HDPE (2) - High Density Polyethylene
Items that require special recycling programs
Printer cartridges Mobile phones batteries Computers White goods (washing machines etc.)
Process in recycling aluminium cans
At a centralised sorting centre, cans are screened to remove any made of other metals like steel.
Cans are crushed
Cans are weighed before being formed into large blocks, then transported to a furnace.
Cans are melted, poured into moulds, and cooled to produce ingots of aluminium.
Ingots are rolled into thin sheets by manufacturers and made into new cans.
Define the term mining
A process that involves the removal of useful ores and other materials form the Earth.
Different types of mining
Open cut Underground Strip mining Alluvial Quarry
Factors considered before mining takes place
Amount of resource available World-wide demand Type of mining necessary Cost of processing and transporting ore Environmental damage Cost of rehabilitation Location of mine
Purpose of the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement)
It is a document what a company must sign before mining, drilling or construction operations can commence. It outlines how the company intends to manage the environmental aspects and how the environment will be rehabilitated.
Factors considered in the EIS
Air quality Biodiversity Heritage Land Noise and visual Public safety Transport Water
Role of water as a natural resource
Domestic use Agricultural use Electricity generation Bodies of water for transport Recreational purposes In the industry (solvent, cleaning agent etc.)
Role of water in weathering
Rain and rivers wash loose material away
Glaciers cut paths from mountain tops to oceans
Ice wedging
What is the process of the water cycle
Evaporation to condensation (clouds), then precipitation. From there it can go to either run off back into bodies of water, or seepage where it may become ground water or lead to transpiration.
Technologies used to collect data about water usage
Satellites and planes carry sensors which collect info about clouds and surface moisture.
Probes and other instruments detect moisture in the Earth’s surface.
Specialised instruments can measure the flow of water on and below the surface
Radar can detect the presence and properties of clouds.
Where is most of our water collected from?
Most of our water is currently collected in dams or pumped from aquifers deep in the ground. Neither of these sources are sustainable.
What is potable water?
Drinking water
Ways to harvest water from rainwater
capture it in the roof through gutters leading to rainwater tanks.
Ways to harvest water from greywater
Can be used from the laundry, shower or bah. Instead of going to a sewer, it can be piped onto the garden.
Ways to harvest water from stormwater
It usually runs off into drains, or into local creeks and rivers. Though it can be collected and treated the same way as sewage.
Ways to harvest recycled water
Water from sewage systems or from industrial processes can be cleaned.
What are the strategies in place at Booderee National Park regarding the Indigenous people working with the Australian government.
The park is owned and managed by the Aboriginal Community.
They, and the Aussie Government work together in creating plans and goals for the park which are rewritten every 7 years.
The Koori have a lot of knowledge of the land, because their people have been living there for hundreds of years. This knowledge shared, enables the park to be properly managed. And makes sure that the land, water and animals are being protected and conserved.
Viewpoint of a local resident on mining
increased noise and visual pollution. damage to local environment increased employment improved economy increased traffic
Viewpoint of a mining company on mining
increased income
increased availability of resources
Viewpoint of the government on mining
increased availability of resources
increased employment
improved economy
Viewpoint of a scientist on mining
increased availability of resources
increased employment
