Using Resources Flashcards
What do humans use earths resources for ?
Warmth
Shelter
Food
Transport
What do we use natural resources supplemented by agriculture for ?
Food
Timber
Clothing
Fuels
What is sustainable development?
Development that meets the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
What is a finite resource ?
One that will run out e.g. coal
For humans, what should drinking water have ?
Sufficiently low levels of dissolved salts and microbes
What is water that is safe to drink called ?
Potable water ( ground water )
How is most potable water produced ?
Choosing an appropriate source of fresh water
Passing the water through filter beds
Sterilising
What are the 3 sterilising agents used for potable water ?
Chlorine
Ozone
Ultraviolet light
If supplies of fresh water are limited what has to be done ?
Desalination of salty water or sea water
How can desalination be done ?
Distillation
Reverse of osmosis using membranes
What is an issue with desalination ?
It requires large amounts of energy
What is pure water ?
Natural fresh water
What 2 things cause large amounts of waste water ?
Urban lifestyles
Industrial processes
What does sewage, agricultural and industrial waste water require ?
Removal of organic matter and harmful microbes
What is the method for treating sewage ?
- Screening and grit removal
- Sedimentation to produce sewage sludge and effluent
- Anaerobic digester of sewage sludge
- Aerobic biological treatment of effluent
What part of earths resources are limited ?
Metal ores
What are 2 new ways of extracting copper from low-grade ores ?
Phytomining
Bioleaching
What is phytomining ?
Using plants to absorb metal compounds
The plants are harvested then burned to produce ash that contains metal compounds
What is bioleaching ?
Using bacteria to produce leachate solutions that contain metal compounds
Why are life cycle assessments performed?
To assess the environmental impact of products
In LCAs what do they assess about the product ?
Extracting and processing raw materials
Manufacturing and packaging
Use and operation during its lifetime
Disposal at the end of its useful life, including transport and distribution at each stage
What are two ways we can reduce the use of resources?
Reuse
recycling
How can glass be reused ?
Melted and made into a different product
