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AQA Environmental science questions > The Lithosphere > Flashcards

The Lithosphere Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the igneous processes that can cause the formation of metal ores around batholith.(2)

A

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;

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2
Q

Describe how future mineral supplies can be increased by better exploration techniques.(2)

A

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

IR emission
analysis of different wave lengths

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3
Q

Explain the difference in the meanings of ‘resource’ and ‘reserve’. (2)

A

Resource
amount present/that can theoretically be exploited;

reserve
amount that can be exploited economically now/with existing technology;

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4
Q

Explain why the chemical form of a metal ore may affect the viability of exploitation. (2)

A

Named ore/mineral/metal;
qualified ease of (chemical) separation/bond breaking;
ref to reactivity;

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5
Q

Outline a technique that can be used to exploit low-grade ores. (2)

A

acid added
dissolves

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

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6
Q

Explain the meaning of the term ‘cut-off ore grade’. (2)

A

Lowest grade;

that can be economically exploited;

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7
Q

Describe the effect that increased mechanisation has had on the amount of metal ore that can be mined. (2)

A

Increased amount;
deeper mining;
less labour intensive;
lower production/extraction costs/increased profit/more can be spent on mining

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8
Q

Describe how the typical pH of drainage water from the mine may be measured. (3)

A

Large sample numbers/long time period/regular samples/sample location;
pH meter;
calibration;

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9
Q

Describe how the organic matter content of a soil sample may be estimated. (4)

A

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;

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10
Q

Suggest how bacteria in the soil may affect its fertility. (4)

A

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;;

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11
Q

Outline how topography may affect the suitability of a site for reservoir construction. (2)

A

valley shape, steep sides, narrow exit for dam
effect on volume, evaporation rate, land loss

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12
Q

Outline how geology may affect the suitability of a site for reservoir construction.(2)

A

permeability
speed of flow into/out of bedrock

stability/seismic activity/faults
collapse risk

stability/strength
subsidence risk

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13
Q

Outline two features of the overburden above the mineral that can affect the viability of the mine. (4)

A

hard
difficulty mining

loose, uncompacted
landslides, more removed

deep
increased cost

permeable
drainage problems

chemical composition
pollution risk

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14
Q

Outline two methods of reducing environmental problems caused by mine machinery. (4)

A

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

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15
Q

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)

A

Add water and suspend/shake;
allow to settle;
measure proportions;

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16
Q

Suggest two ways in which exploiting low grade ores may cause increased environmental damage. (4)

A

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;

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17
Q

Use an example to outline how material substitution can be used to conserve finite resources.(2)

A

biodiesel replaces fossil fuels
renewable

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18
Q

Describe how better exploratory techniques can be used to increase the proven reserves of minerals. (4)

A

remote sensing/airborne surveys
gravimetry
scintillometry
magnetometry
resistivity

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19
Q

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)

A

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;

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20
Q

Describe how the organic matter content of a dry soil sample could be measured. (3)

A

Weigh;
heat to high temperature/500−800°C/use Bunsen burner;
burn off/oxidise organic matter;
constant mass;
calculate mass drop/difference/percentage

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21
Q

Soil organisms play important roles in the nitrogen cycle.

Describe a method used to extract detritivores from soil.(3)

A

measured area;
measured depth;
dig up soil;
hand sort/count worms;

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22
Q

Outline methods, other than revegetation, that can be used to stabilise mine spoil heaps. (4)

A

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

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23
Q

Describe how a Tüllgren funnel may be used to extract small invertebrates from a soil sample. (4)

A

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;

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24
Q

Explain why some soil invertebrates cannot be extracted using a Tüllgren funnel. (2)

A

Not mobile/too slow;
too large/big to pass through holes/grill/mesh/filter;

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25
Q

Habitat biodiversity is affected by soil pH. Describe how soil pH may be measured. (3)

A

multiple/many samples;
addition of distilled water;
pH meter;calibration;

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26
Q

Outline how soil structure affects soil fertility. (2)

A

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

crumb peds allow for high aeration and therefore good drainage rates and root penetration resulting in good soil fertility versus platey peds

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27
Q

What is soil structure?

A

The way in which soil particles clump together to form aggregates called peds

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28
Q

Describe one method that can be used to analyse the texture of a soil sample.(3)

A

sedimentation:
water;
shake;
settle;
ref to order of (settling of) sand, silt, clay;
mass/volume percentage calculation;

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29
Q

Describe how the texture of a soil affects its properties. (4)

A

Named particle type;
how texture directly affects:
drainage/permeability;
porosity;
leaching;
capillary action;
water content;
nutrient content;
aeration;
decomposition rate;
aerobic biota;
temperature/thermal capacity;
erodibility;
friability/ease of cultivation/root penetration;
particle charges/attraction;

30
Q

Outline the reasons why a mine may not be developed, even if rich ore deposits have been found. (4)

A

Ore body distribution/fragmented/irregular shape;
chemical form/difficulty of chemical extraction;
named land use conflict/local opposition;
ease of site access;
named overburden property/hard/loose;
depth of deposit/overburden thickness;
drainage difficulties;
seismic problems;
infrastructure problems; eg transport, energy, water
workforce availability/cost;
political/named economic problems;
named technological problem;

31
Q

Describe the main processes that have produced deposits of minerals and rocks that may be exploited by humans.

Quality of Written Communication will be assessed in this answer. (10)

A

Igneous;
named eg;
igneous processes;;;
eg
tectonic/plate movements
magma/molten rock
extrusive/intrusive
batholith
rate of crystallisation
hydrothermal
solubility
temperature
contact metasomatism
magmatic segregation

metamorphic;
named eg;
metamorphic processes;;;
eg
changing form of existing rock
intense heat
intense pressure
source of heat/pressure

sedimentary;
named eg;
sedimentary processes;;;
eg
weathering/erosion (of existing rock)
wind deposited
alluvial
sorting
placer deposits
evaporite
biological deposits
compaction
cementation
chemical precipitation

32
Q

Explain the effect of the development of new methods of exploiting low-ore grades on the quantity of a metal that can be extracted economically. (2)

A

(reserves) increase/more deposits become accessible/exploitable;
reduced production costs/ lower energy inputs;
bioleaching/phytomining/electrolysis/named low ore grade extraction technique;

33
Q

Explain the effect of an increase in the market price of the purified metal on the quantity of metal that can be extracted economically. (2)

A

(reserves) increase;

previously uneconomic deposits become economic/cut-off ore grade decrease/ can afford to spend more on extraction;

34
Q

Explain the effect of an increase in the cut-off ore grade on the quantity of a metal that can be extracted economically. (2)

A

(reserves) decrease;

previously exploitable/ lower grade deposits no longer economic;

35
Q

Explain how the timing of sampling may have been standardised to collect representative data of the pH of the river which receives the acidic drainage water. (2)

A

frequent enough/ monthly or more frequently;

to detect fluctations

36
Q

Suggest two reasons to explain the fluctuations in the pH of the river water. (2)

A

fluctuation in rainfall/runoff
snow melt
fluctuation in evaporation
changes in pumping/ discharge from mine/ mine activity

37
Q

Describe the processes involved in the formation of hydrothermal metal ores that make present-day economic exploitation viable. (3)

A

mineral dissolved in hot water;
movement away from batholith/ along fissures
cooling;
reduced solubility;
crystallisation;
order of deposition/ separation of different minerals (by solubility);
in veins/lodes/local concentration

38
Q

Name the physical conditions under which metamorphic processes produce marble.(1)

A

intense heat and pressure;

39
Q

Describe how two named exploratory techniques may be used to find previously undiscovered mineral deposits (4)

A

IR spectroscopy
emission of different wavelengths

gravitmetry
density

magnetometry
magnetic minerals

seismic surveys/ ground penetrating radar
sound/pressure waves- depth/density/shape

resistivity
ease of conduction of electricity

trial drilling
chemical analysis

40
Q

Outline how remote sensing may be used to detect the location of mineral deposits. (3)

A

magnetrometry
magnetic minerals/iron/named iron ore

gravimetry
density/named metal ore

resistivity
changes in conductivity/named conductive material/metals

41
Q

Suggest why a mine may not be developed, even if ore deposits above the cut-off ore grade have been found. (5)

A

size/shape of deposit;
depth;
overburden hardness;
overburden stability;
named land-use conflict;
transport infrastructure;
energy supplies;
hydrology;
political problems;
wrong chemical form;
faulting/seismicity;
stated economic cost;

42
Q

How would the area that may be mined economically change if the COOG decreases? (1)

A

increases;

43
Q

Explain why the exploitation of low-grade ores may increase the environmental damage caused by mineral exploitation. (3)

A

greater area mined/more habit loss;
more overburden/spoil;
more rock/ore extracted;
more energy used;
more waste produced/pollution caused;

44
Q

What is meant by resource? (2)

A

(quantity that is) theoretically exploitable;

at any price with any technology;

45
Q

What is meant by reserves? (2)

A

(quantity that is) exploitable now;

at current prices with existing technology;

46
Q

Outline two other environmental problems for local rivers, which may be caused by mine drainage water, and suggest how the mine drainage water may be treated to control each problem. (4)

A

turbidity/suspended solids
sedimentation/filtration/settling
or
heavy metal leachate
lime/high pH reduced solubility/phytoremediation/electrolysis
[R toxic leachate unless qualified]
or
altered river flow rate
control of pumping rate
or phosphates
iron salts/flocculation/reed bed/phytoremediation

47
Q

Describe methods that may be used to reduce the environmental problems caused by the solid wastes produced by mining. (4)

A

spoil compaction
increased particle cohesion/reduced erosion
reduced water content

netting/bolting
reduced particle mobility

drainage
reduced particle mobility/reduced lubrication/reduced mass

top soil addition
increased plant growth

fertiliser addition
increased plant growth

vegetation planting
root binding
reduced wind velocity/reduced water velocity

backfilling

alternative use of spoil

water spray
dust aggregation

48
Q

Before a mine can be developed, thorough surveys of the mineral deposits and associated geological structures must be over taken.

Outline how an assessment of the viability of a mine requires information about the mineral deposits. (3)

A

ore purity;
chemical form;
ore body area;
ore body shape;
total mass/quantity;
effect of feature on viability;

49
Q

Before a mine can be developed, thorough surveys of the mineral deposits and associated geological structures must be over taken.

Outline how an assessment of the viability of a mine requires information about the associated geological structures. (3)

A

overburden hardness (of removal);
overburden stability (for landslip risk);
depth/overburden thickness;
drainage;
faulting;
shape of structure/anticline/syncline/dome/dip/named example;
designated/protected geological feature;
effect of feature on viability;

50
Q

Suggest one reason why the energy used for extraction increases as the ore grade declines. (1)

A

more ore/rock needs to be extracted/processed/waste removed/ named processing activity;
(chemically) difficult to extract very low concentrations/ separate metals from ore/ extra processes needed/more refining;

51
Q

Describe one method that is used to extract metals from low ore grade. (2)

A

leachate collection/recycling/evaporation
electrolysis

52
Q

Suggest why an increase in the market price may change the cut-off ore grade of a mineral. (3)

A

more money available for extraction/investment/expensive techniques;
lower grade ores can be exploited;
COOG goes down;

53
Q

Outline the advantages and disadvantages of using satellite techniques rather than ground-based surveys. (4)

A

advantages;;
eg
large area surveyed rapidly
surveys of inaccessible areas
cost effective/less labour intensive
lower habitat impact

disadvantages;;
eg
high inital cost
less detailed information
less sub-surface information
clouds obscure surface
no physicalsamples (for analysis)

54
Q

Explain why the market price caused the estimates of reserves to increase. (1)

A

previously uneconomic resource/lower grade ore becomes economic

55
Q

Use one example to describe how material substitution may be used to conserve the reserves of metal minerals. (2)

A

copper pipes
plastic

56
Q

Describe a method that may be used to extend the operation of a mine by exploiting low-ore grades.(2)

A

leachate collection/recycling
electrolysis

57
Q

Outline methods that may be used to reduce the environmental problems caused by machinery noises. (2)

A

Acoustic insulation (of machinery);
absorption;baffle mounds/embankments/walls/vegetation;
buffer zone;
reflection/deflection;
operations at less annoying times/time zoning;
maintenance/lubrication of machinery;
transport routes away from sensitive areas;

58
Q

Outline methods that may be used to reduce the environmental problems caused by dust (2)

A

Water sprays/sprinklers/bowsers/road washing;
settling/collection;
compaction;vegetation/trees;
overed loads;
filters/face masks/electrostatic

59
Q

Outline two other ways in which open-cast mining causes more environmental damage than deep mining. (4)

A

proximity to sensitive areas
aesthetics

mobility of pollutants
more overburden removed
waste disposal

greater surface disturbance
habitat loss

turbid drainage water
reduced light/photosynthesis/smothering organisms

(spoil) leachate
named toxic material

more/larger spoil heaps
stability/landslides

60
Q

Describe how baffle mounds reduces environmental problems. (2)

A

reflects/deflects/absorbs (sound);

61
Q

What 5 things is soil made of?

A

Minerals (supply many essential nutrients), water (too much can lead to waterlogging), air (for respiration), organic matter (dead organic matter adds nutrients) and biota (organisms such as worms sort and aerate the soil)

62
Q

How does soil temperature affect the activity of all the organisms in the soil?

A

Increases enzyme activity, encourages root growth, encourages seed germination and increases decomposition which increases nutrients

63
Q

How does high soil PH affect soil fertility?

A

Under alkaline conditions phosphates become insoluable

64
Q

How does low soil pH affect soil fertility?

A

can increase the leaching of plant nutrients and damage root cell membranes

65
Q

List and briefly explain 5 human activities that affect soil fertility

A

1) Aeration by ploughing and drainage: Ploughing and drainage make soils more aerobic which increases the rates of nitrogen fixation and nitrification
2) Soil nutrient levels: Soil nutrient levels increased by adding inorganic fertilisers, organic matter or by supporting natural processes such as bacterial nitrogen fixation.
3) Irrigation: Irrigation increases the fertility of the soil where water is a limiting factor in growth. Water also dissolves nutrients which can then be absorbed by plants in ionic form.
4) Soil compaction: Reduces aeration and makes waterlogging more likely, especially when the soil is wet.
5) pH control: Ensures nutrients are soluble but not too easily leached.

66
Q

Ways humans can decrease rates of soil erosion

A

1) Planting of vegetation
2) Crop rotation
3) Contour ploughing
4) Addition of organic matter eg mulching
5) Zero-tillage cultivation
6) Multi-cropping

67
Q

What are the types of water erosion of soil and explain them.

A

1) Rain splash erosion: When soil particles are dislodged by the splash of a raindrop, soil particles are dispersed in all directions. Over time, this can result in the downhill movement of a large amounts of soil.
2) Surface runoff erosion: This is caused by surface runoff when the infiltration capacity of the soil has been exceeded. This can occur when the rainfall is heavy or prolonged, or if the soil is relatively impermeable so more of the water flows over the ground surface.
3) Slumping and landslides: When soil on slopes becomes very wet, the increased mass and lubrication of the water makes the downward movement of large amounts of soil more likely
4) Wind erosion

68
Q

Activities that increase soil erosion

A

1) Deforestation: Less vegetation to intercept rain, fewer roots to bind the soil, soil organic matter may decline, increased wind speed at ground level.
2) Overgrazing: Livestock hooves damage roots, loosen soil and make it more likely to be washed or blown away.
3) Soil compaction: The use of machinery and the loss of soil biota increases compaction which can increase runoff erosion.
4) Ploughing vulnerable soils: ploughing breaks up the soil structure, exposing soil particles to erosion by water or wind.

69
Q

Explain how new technologies to extract metals from low-grade ores may reduce environmental impacts (9 marks)

A

1) Phytomining- plants take up metals through soil or water and these become concentration in the leaves.
2) Bioleaching- breakdown of metals by microorganisms due to acid release which can then be extracted through things such as electrolysis, increasing concentration.
3) Leachate collection- running acid through spoil heaps and recycling the leachate
4) Displacement reactions- used to concentrate metals through the reuse of old metals

70
Q

features of a fertile soil

A

1) Water content- not waterlogged but retains enough for survival of biota
2) Soluble materials and nutrients
3) Air content- for aerobic respiration of organisms
4) Dead organic matter- releases nutrients, increases water retention, provides food for soil biota
5) PH
6) Soil biota

71
Q

Explain why water draining from mines often has a low PH (1)

A

mine spoil/ oxidation of ores

AQA Environmental science questions (10 decks)

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