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Details Title: Earth's Resources Description: notecards to review for test with Total Flash Cards: 71 Created: 01/31/2008 13:29:20	To study from this set of flash cards, or to create your own your own study flash cards, register HERE. If you are already a registered user, CLICK HERE.
Cards Term Chapter 4, Section 1      what is a nonrenewable resource give one example   Definition takes million of years to form and accumulate ex: coal, oil, natural gas Term fossil fuel give examples Definition any hydrocarbon that may be used as a source of energy ex: coal, oil, natural gas Term What is a renewable resource? Give examples Definition can be replinished over fairly short time ex: plants and animals Term how does coal form?   Definition when heat and pressure transform plant material over millions of years Term what are the four stages of coal development? Definition 1. peat-partially decayed plant material that sometimes looks like soil. 2.  peat becomes lignite 3. continued heat and pressure transforms lignite into bituminous coal (soft coal) 4.  metamorphic rock called anthracite Term what is the problem with coal? Definition surface minig for coal scars the land, underground mining is dangerous, burning coal can create air pollution problems in the form of sulfur oxide which can cause acid precipitation Term ______________ and ______________ form from the remains of plants and animals that were buried in ancient seas. Definition petroleum (oil) and natural gas Term what is an oil trap? Definition a geologic structure that allows large amounts of liquid to accumulate example would be an anticline Term Some experts believe that fuels dervied from ____ ______ and ____ ______ could become good substitutes for the dwindling petroleum supplies. Definition tar sands and oil shales Term tar sands Definition mixture of bitumen, water, clay, and sand Term oil shale Definition rock containing mixtures of hydrocarbons called kerogen Term what are mineral resources? Definition deposits of useful minerals that can be extracted Term mineral reserves are.... Definition deposits from which minerals can be extracted profitably Term ore Definition a useful metallic mineral that can be mined as a profit Term Some of the most important mineral deposits form through __________ processes and __________ solutions. Definition igneous hydrothermal Term As a large body of magma cools, heavy minerals crystallize early and settle to the bottom of the magma chamber.  This is how _____deposits form. An mineral example would be..... Definition magma, chromite or platinum Term How do hydrothermal deposits form? Definition from hot, metal-rich fluids that are left during the late stages of the movement and cooling of the magma. As magma cools, and becomes solid , liquids and various metal ions collect near top of magma chamber. Term Placer deposits are formed when..... Definition eroded, heavy minerals settle quickly from moving water while less dense particles remain suspended and continue to move. Term   _________ is the best known placer deposit. Definition Gold Term Examples of nonmetallic minerals include... Definition fluorite and limestone Term Nonmetallic resources are divided into two broad groups: _________ materials and ______________materials. Definition building, industrial Term T or F? Nonmetallic mineral resources are used as a source of energy. Definition true Term Chaper 4, Section 2   List some alternative energy sources: Definition solar, nuclear, wind, hydroelectric power, geothermal, tidal Term Solar energy is..... Definition the direct use of the sun's rays to supply heat or electricity. Term What are two advantages of solar energy? Definition the "fuel" is free, it's non-polluting Term The fuel for nuclear plants comes from radioactive materials that release energy through _______ __________. Definition nuclear fission Term In nuclear fission the nuclei of heavy atoms such as uranium-235 are bombarded with _________.  The uranium nuclei then split into smaller nuclei and emit ________ and ______ energy. Definition neutrons, neutrons, heat Term At a nuclear power plant, a nuclear chain reaction releases heat, which drives steam turbines that turn ________ __________. Definition electrical generators Term Some experts estimate that in the next 50 to 60 years, ______ power could meet b/w 5 to 10% of the country's demand for electricity. Definition wind Term What is hydroelectric power? Definition the power that falling water generates Term The water held in a ____1_____ behind a __2___ is a form of stored energy that can be released through the ___2__ to produce electric power. Definition 1. reservoir 2. dam Term Geothermal energy is harnessed by... Definition tapping natural underground reservoirs of steam and hot water. Term Hot water is used directly for ________ and to turn __________ to generate electric power. (in relation to geothermal energy) Definition heating, turbines Term Geothermal power is clean but not ________. Definition inexhaustible Term Tidal power is harnessed by constructing a ___1__ across the mouth of a __2____ or _____3___ in coastal areas with a large tidal range. The strong in and out flow that results drives ____4___ and electric _____5______. Definition 1. dam 2. bay 3. estuary 4. turbines 5. generators Term Chapter 4, Section 3     Each day people use fresh water for ________, __________,  _________, and ________ ______. Definition cooking, bathing, growing food, drinking Term What are the two types of water pollution? Definition Point source pollution and nonpoint source pollution Term What is point source pollution? Give an example   Definition pollution that comes from a known and specific location Ex: factory pipes, sewer pipes Term What is nonpoint source pollution?   Definition pollution that does not have a specific point of origin   Term ________ often carries nonpoint source pollution. Definition runoff Term What is runoff? Definition the water that flows over the land rather than seeping into the ground Term The ________ composition of the atmosphere helps maintain life on Earth. Definition chemical Term Earth's atmosphere is a blanket of...... (4 answers) Definition nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor, other gases Term What does the layer of protective ozone high in the air protect Earth from? Definition sun's UV radiation Term What are gases that help maintain the warm temperatures near the surface of the Earth called? What are some examples? Definition greenhouse gases; carbon dioxide, methane, Term _______ _________ combustion is the major source of air pollution. Definition Fossil fuel Term Power plants release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.  These pollutants combine with water vapor in the air to create _____ ____________. Definition acid precipitation Term An increase in carbon dioxide has altered the carbon cycle and conributed to the unnatural warming of the lower atmosphere which is known as __________ ____________. Definition gloabl warming Term Global warming could cause the melting of glaciers which would then contribute to _______________ and _______________. Definition a rise in sea level, in the flooding of coastal areas Term Earth's land provides ______ and forests, as well as mineral and _______ resources. Definition soil, energy Term Mining can cause _____ ______, create _________, tear up the Earth's surface, and destroy _________. Definition soil erosion, pollution, vegetation Term Heavy pumping for irrigation of dry areas(related to agriculture) is ________ the _____________. Definition depleting, groundwater Term Overtime, irrigation can cause ______________, or the build-up of salts in soil. Definition salinization Term What is the danger related to landfills? Definition they can leak harmful wastes that get into soil and underground water Term Chapter 4, Section 4       Conservation Definition the careful use of resources Term Starting in the ______'s, the federal government passed several laws to prevent or decrease pollution and protect resources. Definition 1970's Term Clean Water Act (CWA) Definition requires industries to reduce or elminate point source pollution into surface waters led to huge increase in the number of sewage treatment plants   Term Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 Definition helped protect drinking resources set maximum containment levels for a number of pollutants that could harm the health of people     Term In 1970, Congress passed the _____ ____ Act, the nation's most important air pollution law. Definition Clean Air Act Term The Clean Air Act established National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six "criteria" pollutants known to cause health problems. What are these 6 criteria? Definition carbon monoxide ozone lead sulfur dioxide nitrogen oxides particulates (fine particles) Term Increased use of clean, alternate energy sources such as _____, ______, and ___________ power, can also help clean the air. Definition solar, wind, hydrolelectric Term Protecting ___1___ resources involves preventing pollution and managing ___1___ resources wisely Definition land Term Contour plowing Definition famers plow across the contour of hillsides, this decreases water runoff that washes away topsoil Term Strip cropping Definition crops with different nutrient requirements are placed in adjacent rows, helps preserve the fertility of soil Term selective cutting Definition only some trees in a forest are cut, this practice preserves topsoil as well as the forest habitat Term clear cutting Definition removing whole forest areas Term compost Definition partly decomposed organic material that is used as fertilizer Term The ____1_____ ____1________ and __1_______ Act if 1976 has decreased the illegal and unsafe dumping of hazardous waste.  The law requires companies to __2___, ____2____, and ___2_____ of hazardous waste according to strict guidelines. Definition The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act store, transport, dispose Term The 1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund) mandates....... Definition the cleaning up of abandoned hazardous waste sites that are a danger to the public or the environment Term Recycling Definition the collecting and processing of used items so they can be made into new products Term DON"T FORGET TO LOOK OVER.......... Definition All the charts throughout Chapter 4 Safety Rules and Symbols Pages 85, 338, 573