resources Flashcards

1
Q

what are finite resources

A

resources that are being used up faster than they can be replaced, limited amount

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2
Q

what are renewable resources

A

resources that can be replaced at the same rate or an even faster rate that they are being used

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3
Q

examples of finite resources

A
  • metal ores used to extract metal
  • crude oil used to make polymers
  • limestone to make cement or concrete
  • crude oil to make petrol, diesel
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4
Q

what happens when the amount of resources needed aren’t met

A
  • supplement natural resources
  • use synthetic alternatives
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5
Q

supplementing natural resources

A

sometimes nature is unable to provide us with as much of a resource as we need to so we use agriculture to supplement the natural supply

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6
Q

synthetic alternatives

A

man made alternatives of a product are used
- polyester instead of cotton
- PVC instead of wood

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7
Q

sustainability vs renewability

A
  • renewable resources are infinite, they can’t run out
    (eg. sunlight and wind)
  • resources are sustainable when they can be maintained so that there is a supply for future generations
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8
Q

what is potable water

A

water that is safe for humans to drink, contains small amounts of salt and microbes

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9
Q

how can you make fresh water potable

A
  • fresh water is taken from lakes… and any solid impurities (mud) are removed by filter beds, the water seeps through layers of sand.. and solids are removed
  • the water is then sterilised by adding chlorine, ozone or uv lights
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10
Q

making salty water potable

A
  • distillation
  • reverse osmosis
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11
Q

distillation

A

impure water is heated, pure water evaporates and particles pass through condenser and is collected

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12
Q

reverse osmosis

A

when a force is exerted onto the impure water it passes through a semi-permeable membrane and contaminants are filtered out leaving clean water

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13
Q

how is waste water released back into the environment

A

1) screening
2) primary sedimentation
3) aerobic digestion
4) secondary sedimentation
5) clean water or anaerobic respiration

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14
Q

what is screening

A

a metal grid is used to trap large object sand grit from the water

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15
Q

what is primary sedimentation

A

the sold particles in the waster water are allowed to settle to the bottom and are then separated from the water (called effluent)

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16
Q

what is aerobic respiration

A

useful bacteria are added to the effluent and feed on the harmful ones or any remaining waste
(aerobic means it happens in the presence of water)

17
Q

what is done with the now clean water

A

it is returned to the rivers
- sometimes it may need some extra sterilising

18
Q

what is anaerobic respiration

A

useful bacteria is added to the sludge and feed on the harmful ones and the sludge is left to dry
(anaerobic means it happens without oxygen)

19
Q

what is done with the products of anaerobic respiration

A
  • dried sludge are sent to landfills but can be used as fertiliser or fuel to generate electricity
  • biogas can be used as fuel
20
Q

extracting metal from high grade ores

A
  • displacement
  • electrolysis
21
Q

what is displacement

A

the metal is extracted by reacting it with different elements

22
Q

what is electrolysis

A

the metal is extracted using an electrical current and involves high temperatures

23
Q

extracting metal from low grade ores

A
  • bioleaching
  • Phytomining
24
Q

what is bioleaching

A

bacteria is grown on the ore to absorb the metal and produces a liquid called leachate from which the metal is extracted

25
Q

what is phytomining

A

plants are grown on the ore and absorb metal into their cells, they are burned or harvested to produce ash which the metal is extracted from

26
Q

what is a life cycle assessment (LCA)

A

looks at the impacts of an item from every stage of its life

27
Q

problems with (LCA)

A

allocating numerical values involves subjective judgements, is biased

28
Q

how can we protect our resources and nature

A

reduce, reuse and recycle