Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the process of mining?
Which of the following best describes the process of mining?
- The geological assessment of underground water reserves.
- The process of extracting commercially valuable resources from the Earth. (correct)
- The natural formation of mineral deposits over geological timescales.
- The artificial synthesis of minerals in a laboratory setting.
Mineral deposits are evenly distributed around the globe.
Mineral deposits are evenly distributed around the globe.
False (B)
Name two types of resources extracted through mining.
Name two types of resources extracted through mining.
Ores/metals, precious stones, or building stones
An exponential rise in mineral consumption is generally considered ________ because mineral resources are typically nonrenewable.
An exponential rise in mineral consumption is generally considered ________ because mineral resources are typically nonrenewable.
Why have mineral reserves not been depleted despite increased consumption?
Why have mineral reserves not been depleted despite increased consumption?
All mineral extraction can continue indefinitely due to ongoing discoveries of new reserves.
All mineral extraction can continue indefinitely due to ongoing discoveries of new reserves.
Name one factor that has allowed low-grade mineral deposits to become economical to extract.
Name one factor that has allowed low-grade mineral deposits to become economical to extract.
Which of the following describes strip mining?
Which of the following describes strip mining?
Underground mining involves removing minerals by scraping the surface.
Underground mining involves removing minerals by scraping the surface.
Which mining method uses explosives to blow up a mountain for resource extraction?
Which mining method uses explosives to blow up a mountain for resource extraction?
Mining activities can disturb habitats and pollute _______ if proper regulations are not followed.
Mining activities can disturb habitats and pollute _______ if proper regulations are not followed.
What is a primary method for extracting natural gas and oil?
What is a primary method for extracting natural gas and oil?
Fossil fuels are evenly distributed around the globe.
Fossil fuels are evenly distributed around the globe.
Besides habitat disturbance, what is another potential environmental problem associated with fossil fuel extraction?
Besides habitat disturbance, what is another potential environmental problem associated with fossil fuel extraction?
Match the following resources with their estimated lifespan (according to the provided data):
Match the following resources with their estimated lifespan (according to the provided data):
According to the information provided, which fossil fuel is the most abundant?
According to the information provided, which fossil fuel is the most abundant?
Fossil fuels are being produced at a rate that keeps up with human consumption.
Fossil fuels are being produced at a rate that keeps up with human consumption.
List two factors that could prevent the depletion of fossil fuels.
List two factors that could prevent the depletion of fossil fuels.
What is the term for when groundwater is withdrawn from aquifers faster than natural recharge can replace it?
What is the term for when groundwater is withdrawn from aquifers faster than natural recharge can replace it?
Groundwater is not a significant source of water worldwide.
Groundwater is not a significant source of water worldwide.
What is a consequence of excessive groundwater pumping?
What is a consequence of excessive groundwater pumping?
Technological advances in _______ have allowed many low-grade deposits to become economical to extract.
Technological advances in _______ have allowed many low-grade deposits to become economical to extract.
What is the definition of mining?
What is the definition of mining?
Fossil fuels are a renewable resource.
Fossil fuels are a renewable resource.
What is mined through strip mining?
What is mined through strip mining?
Flashcards
What is mining?
What is mining?
The process by which commercially valuable resources are removed from the Earth.
What is strip mining?
What is strip mining?
A type of surface mining where strips of land are scraped to remove the top layer, which allows minerals close to the surface to be extracted.
What is underground mining?
What is underground mining?
Removing minerals from underground by creating a tunnel.
What is mountaintop removal?
What is mountaintop removal?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is groundwater overdraft?
What is groundwater overdraft?
Signup and view all the flashcards
What is resource depletion?
What is resource depletion?
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
- Resources can run out
- Mining involves extracting commercially valuable resources from the Earth
- Distribution of mineral deposits are not even around the globe
Mining
- Impacts how much of a resource can be found and where
- Process by which commercially valuable resources are removed from Earth
- Resources include ores, precious stones, and building stones
Mineral Extraction Lab
- "Mine" for the beads using forceps for five minutes
- Place mined beads on the paper towel
- Count and record the number of beads extracted per minute in the data table
Dwindling Deposits
- Demand for minerals continues to increase because of population growth and more countries becoming industrialized
- Minerals are typically a nonrenewable resource, thus the rise in consumption is unsustainable
Mineral Supplies
- Scientists have warned about the potential for depletion of mineral reserves due to exponential demand growth
- Depletion has not occurred because total reserves have kept growing
Factors Contributing to Reserve Increases
- Geologists improved ability to locate new reserves through sophisticated exploration techniques
- Technological advances in mining made many low-grade deposits economical to extract
- All mineral extraction can not go on indefinitely
Methods of Mining
- Strip mining is a type of surface mining where strips of land are scraped to remove the top layer to get to minerals
- Underground mining comprises making a tunnel to remove minerals
- Mountaintop removal is a type of surface mining that involves using explosives to blow up a mountain to get to resources
Fossil Fuel Extraction
- Coal can be mined like a mineral
- Natural gas and oil can be extracted by drilling
- Extracting fossil fuels can disturb habitats and pollute water
- Fossil fuels are non-renewable
Farewell Fossil Fuels
- Oil estimates to last another 50 years
- Natural gas estimates to last another 80 years
- Coal reserves are projected to last until the year 2300
- The differences in reserve projections are due to differing abundancy, with coal be most abundant and oil the least
Supply and Demand
- Coal is more abundant than oil and natural gas
- Coal reserves are projected to last over 275 years, but natural gas and oil may run out sooner
- Fossil fuels are forming all the time
- Fossil fuels will be depleted unless more deposits are found, technology improves, or usage rates change
Groundwater
- The primary water source for over two billion people globally
- Nearly half of all Americans rely on supplies for drinking and domestic uses
- Groundwater is being withdrawn from aquifers faster than natural recharge in many areas, called groundwater overdraft
- Excessive pumping has dried up wells, leading to abandonment of farms, ranches, and towns
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
