Using Resources Flashcards
What is meant by the term ‘finite’ when it comes to natural resources?
They will never run out.
What are renewable resources?
Resources that reform at a similar, or faster, rate than we use them such as timber.
What is a life cycle assessment (LCA)?
An assessment of the environmental impact of a product over each stage of its life.
What is the life cycle assessment stages of plastic bags?
RAW MATERIAL ⟶ crude oil.
MANUFACTURING AND PACKAGING ⟶ key compounds extracted by fractional distillation. Waste has other uses.
USING THE PRODUCT ⟶ reusable.
PRODUCT DISPOSAL ⟶ recyclable, not biodegradable.
What is the life cycle assessment stages of paper bags?
RAW MATERIAL ⟶ timber.
MANUFACTURING AND PACKAGING ⟶ takes a lot of energy to pulp timber and creates lots of waste.
USING THE PRODUCT ⟶ single use.
PRODUCT DISPOSAL ⟶ biodegradable and recyclable.
What is selective LCA?
LCA where some information has been removed to make a product look better that it really is, often to give positive advertising.
What is sustainable development?
Meeting the needs of present society while not damaging the lives of future generations.
What are three ways to improve sustainability?
> reducing the amount of raw material used.
reusing products instead of throwing them away.
recycling products that can’t be reused.
How is metals and glass recycled?
RECYCLING METALS
↳ waste metal ⟶ melted down ⟶ recast into new products.
RECYCLING GLASS
↳ waste glass ⟶ separated by colour and chemical composition ⟶ crushed and melted ⟶ reshaped.
What is potable water?
Water that is safe to drink.
[it is not chemically pure as it can contain low levels of dissolved salts and microbes]
What is the source of ground water and its treatment?
SOURCE ⟶ underground rocks.
TREATMENT ⟶ must be filtered and sterilised.
What is the source of salt water and its treatment?
SOURCE ⟶ sea water.
TREATMENT ⟶ must be desalinated.
What is the source of waste water and its treatment?
SOURCE ⟶ sewage treatment and agricultural systems.
TREATMENT ⟶ requires a lot of treatment.
Why is mesh used to treat ground water?
To remove any large debris such as twigs.
Why is sand and gravel filtration used to treat ground water?
To remove any smaller solid bits.
