Resources under stress

Question 1

What is a resource?

Answer 1

A resource is any type of asset, commodity or item which has value to enhance the quality of human life

Question 2

What are stock resources?

Answer 2

Stock resources are finite and will eventually run out eg fossil fuels

Question 3

What are flow resources?

Answer 3

Flow resources are infinite and can be replenished and renewed eg biofuels

Question 4

What are inferred resources?

Answer 4

Inferred resources = economic viability of resource is uncertain

Question 5

What are possible resources?

Answer 5

Possible resources = expected and inferred resource could become indicated for further exploration

Question 6

What are indicated resources?

Answer 6

Indicated resources = conditions and location of resource can be predicted to allow initial planning

Question 7

What is measured resources?

Answer 7

Measured resources = detailed mine planning possible

Question 8

What is meant by resource exploration and exploitation?

Answer 8

Resource exploration = process of searching for available resources and then upgrading the resource from inferred to measured if appropiate

Exploitation is the process of extracting the material from the ground and its use is depending on the economic viability of a resource

Question 9

Why does economic viability vary?

Answer 9

Economic viability varies because:
-Grade of deposity (high grade = morevariable, quantity of high decreases due to exploits)
-Geological structure of the ground (resources close to the surface are easy and cheap to exploit, resistant more expensive)
-Proximity to markers (stock are bulky, travels longer - less important for expensive materials)

Question 10

What is a resource frontier?

Answer 10

A resource frontier is the boundary between exploited areas and areas considered too difficult to exploit under current political and technological conditions
-Frontiers changing as tech advances and climate changes

Question 11

What is a resource peak?

Answer 11

Resource peak = Hubbert’s curve - production increases exponentially until it peaks above halfway before decreasing (bell-shaped curve)

Question 12

What is the resource peak dependant on?

Answer 12

Peak production is dependant on:
-Availability and discovery of reserves
-Development of new technologies
-Demand for the resource
-Grade of available resources

Question 13

What is sustainable resource development:

Answer 13

Sustainable resource development:
-Production of stock resources
-Long-term planning that ensures exctraction doesn’t increase too quickly
-Includes a long-term environmental plan (EIA)

Question 14

What is an environmental impact assessment? (EIA)

Answer 14

EIA:
-Assesses possible environmental impacts of a resource development project
-Suggests ways to mitigate impacts
-EIA leads to EIS (environmental impact statement)

Question 15

What should an environmental impact assesment (EIA) include?

Answer 15

EIA should include:
-Project description
-Alternative considerations
-Description of the environment
-Mitigation of potential issues

Question 16

What are minerals?

Answer 16

Minerals are naturally occuring compounds formed by chemical processes
-not organic
-found in igneous rock

Question 17

Global trading networks

Answer 17

Global trading networks are where minerals are shipped globally, usually to places of manufacturing then places for consumption

Question 18

What is meant by water stress?

Answer 18

Water stress = demand exceeds the available amount of clean water during a certain period
-Leads to over-exploitation of long-term water stores such as aquifers

Question 19

Water scarcity

Answer 19

Water scarcity = when annual water supplies drops below needed amount so water cannot be fully satisfied across all sectors
-Economic scarcity = economic state rstricts exploitation of water reserves
-Physical scarcity = demand exceeds available water resources
-Absolute scarity = less than 500m^3 of water per person per year

Question 20

Why has the demand for water increased?

Answer 20

Demand for water has increased because:
-Population growth
-Socio-economic factors
-Development (greater demand in industry and agriculture)

Question 21

Why can water supply not always meet demand?

Answer 21

Supply cannot meet damand because:
-Aquifers over-exploited
-Water utilised in long-term stores, faster than it is being recharged
-Climate change
-Water tables decreasing

Question 22

How does the physical environment impact water supply quality?

Answer 22

Physical environment:
-Climate (seasonal variations and climate change)
-Geology
-Srainage

Question 23

How does climate impact water supply quality?

Answer 23

Impact of climate on water supply quality:
-Season variation -> soil water budget changes depending on the season + monsoon season important in replenishing supply
-Climate change
-El nino events may decrease water supply in some areas

Question 24

Impact of geology on water supply quality

Answer 24

Impact of geology on water supply quality:
-Permeable rocks can be infiltated and water stored in aquifers as a long term storage
-Areas with water quality from surface water affect with pollution and eutrophication risks

Question 25

How does drainage impact water supply quality

Answer 25

Impact of drainage on water supply quality:
-Grater drainage density and inputs to a river ensures a consistent water supply
-If one water supply decreases, it can be replenished by other water sources downstream
-This can cause conflict if rivers cross multiple countries

Question 26

Methods of increasing water supply

Answer 26

Methods of increasing water supply:
-Storage
-Diversion
-Water transfer
-Desalination
-Catchment

Question 27

What are the environmental impacts of major water supply schemes?

Answer 27

Environmental impacts of major water supply schemes:
-Prevents sedediment travelling downstream, reducing nutrients for fish
-Reduces drinking supply downstream

Question 28

Sustainable water management methods

Answer 28

Sustainable water management methods:
-Recycling wastewater
-GM crops (tolerant of saline and dry conditions)
-Catchment
-Reduce leakages
-More effecient appliances
-Water Meter

Question 29

What is virtual water trade?

Answer 29

Virtual water trade:
-Process of trading items that have a water footprint
-LIC countries suffers from water shortages are exporting the most water intensive products

Question 30

How are water resources used to wage conflict?

Answer 30

-Attacks on water and sanitation infrastructure
-Stopping flow of water
-Contaminating water
-Attack son water and sanitation workers
-Denial of humanitarian access

Question 31

What is meant by energy security?

Answer 31

Energy security refers to the capacity of a country for ensuring an adequate supply of energy for both domestic and industrial use. Russia and Canada are energy secured countries wheras USA is energy insecure.

Question 32

What are the factors responsible for energy security?

Answer 32

Factors responsible for energy security:
->Lack of energy supply
->Poor economy
->Affected imports/trading links
->Political instability of energy-producing countries

Question 33

What are the possible measures that promote energy security?

Answer 33

Measures that promote energy security:
->Renewable energy sources
->Promote recycling measures
->Energy-efficient appliances
->Collaboratives with energy-producing countries

Question 34

What are the stakeholders who can contribute to the process of energy security?

Answer 34

Stakeholders:
->Legislation of appropiate laws
->Public awareness

Question 35

What are the types of renewable energy?

Answer 35

Types of renewable energy:
->Biomass
->Hydroletric (older it is = lack of water supply to HEP plants)
->Wave and tidal energy (new but expensive method)
->Geothermal energy
->Solar energy
->Wind energy

Question 36

What are the types of non-renewable energy

Answer 36

Types of non-renewable energy:
->Fossil fuels (eg fracking for gas, oil and coal exploitation)
->Nuclear energy (made from recovered uranium)