SCIE 1P50 Midterm Exam Flashcards
When does restoration mining occur?
When the mine is no longer profitable
Name 4 ways in which humans depend on the environment.
- It contains all materials necessary for our life
- It absorbs our wastes
- It provides climate stability
- It protects us from ultraviolet radiation
What is the purpose of mine restoration
Preventing further irrigation of leftover material
How does one retore a mine?
Filling in and grading the area
Why did Acid Rain occur in the Sudburry incident?
High levels of SO2 were immitted into the atmosphere due to mining.
What were the 2 things done to prevent further issues with Acid Rain in Sudburry?
[1) 1972 2) 1980’s]
1) 1972 a 380m superstack was constructed to disperse/dilute emisions
2) 1980’s scrubbers were used to capture SO2
When is Leaching mining used?
Used to remove metals from ores
How is Leachign mining done?
Using acids and basic solutions to release the metals
What are some examples of Leaching mining?
Basic Cynaide (NaCN) used for Au Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4) used for Cu, Ni
What is is the process of Sulphid Mining and what chemicals does it produce?
Heated in air without smelting to transform suphides to ocides
What is the process of Smelting Mining?
Using a blasting furnace to seperate metals from ores
Define biotic material and give 3 examples
biotic material = living things, e.g. plants, forests, soils
Define abiotic material and give 3 examples
abiotic material = nonliving things e.g. oceans, clouds, icecaps
Name three components of the environment with which humans interact
biotic material, abiotic material, our built environment (human structures & institutions)
What are 2 purposes of environmental science?
- To establish general principles about how the natural world functions
- to identify, understand and solve problems
Who began the study of ecology?
Ernst Haekel
When did the study of ecology formally begin?
Around 1869
What are 2 definitions of ecology?
- The study of inter-relationships among organisms and their environment
- the study of the home life of organisms
What are natural resources?
Substances and energy sources needed for survival
What are 4 environmental issues associated with mining?
1) Disturbing Lands and Habitats
2) Land becomes suseptable to further damage due to erosion
3) Contamination of streams (particularily in acid mines)
4) Over uses water supplies
What are the environmental impacts associated with refining?
Tailings cause waste to be left behind; left in toxic piles
What percentage of mined ore is impure?
80%
What is the proccess of Placer Mining?
The mining of river beds, where water is used to wash deposits
What is an example of Placer Mining?
The gold rush
Where is Placer Mining done in present day? What is being mined?
-The Congo (African countries)
-The mining of Tantalum
(used in electronics-holds an electric charge)
What is the process of Sub-Surface Mining?
Mining done deep into the ground
ie. through shafts
What is the most common comodity to be aquired through Sub-Surface Mining?
Coal
What are the positives of Sub-Surface Mining?
Less land disturbance
What are 2 Negatives of Sub-Surface Mining?
1) More expensive then other methods
2) Significantly more hazardous
What is the Process of Surface Mining?
mining done near the surface through open pits where overburden is removed
What are the 3 main commodities mined through Surface Mining?
Iron, Copper and Gravel
What are the 5 steps of Mining
1) Locate Deposit
2) Analyze Composition (ie. can money be made)
3) Mine for the metal or mineral in question
4) Process the metal or mineral
5) Refine the Product
What is an Ore
a mixture of elements
20% of the world’s population (developed countries) consumes how much of the world’s aluminum?
3/4 or 75%
20% of the world’s population (developed countries) consumes how much of the world’s harvested timber?
3/4 or 75%
20% of the world’s population (developed countries) consumes how much of the world’s energy?
2/3 or 67%
What two things must be true of economic growth in order for it to be sustainable? (2 points)
1) meets the needs of the present
2) does not compromise the future.
20% of the world’s population (developed countries) consumes how much of the world’s freshwater?
about half
What is neodymium?
A rare earth metal found predominantly in China, used for green technologies
Name some specific uses of neodymium
magnets, batteries in electric cars, hybrid cars
Which two people are important in the study of Population, Consumption & Environmental Impact?
Paul Ehrlich and John Holdren
What did Ehrlich blame resource depletion on?
population
What did Holdren blame resource depletion on?
affluence
What equation did Ehrlich and Holdren develop?
I = PxAxT where I = environmental impact, P = population, A = affluence per person and T = technology used
What is DDT and what are its impacts on humans and animals?
A pesticide said to “kill anything” but causes cancer in humans, weakens birds’ shells and leads to malformed beaks and feet/claws
In general, what sort of restrictions on DDT exist in different parts of the world?
Banned in developed countries, still used in developing countries
What is DDT used for in developing countries?
kills malaria-carrying mosquitos
Name 4 global environmental problems
- Global warming
- deforestation
- threatened oceans
- ozone depletion