Soil and Weathering Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What are the three different forms of weathering?

Magnetic, Chemical, Biological

Temperature, Biological, Erosion

Mechanical, Chemical, Thermal

Physical, Chemical, Biological (correct)

Which mechanism does NOT contribute to enhanced plant growth through microorganisms?

Increasing nutrient bioavailability

Manipulating hormonal signaling

Increasing soil temperature (correct)

Repelling pathogenic microbes

Which benefit of soil microbes improves soil structure?

Enhancing decomposition (correct)

Protection from pathogens

Creating humus

Nutrient availability

How does soil function in the carbon cycle?

It acts as a carbon sink Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a threat to soil?

Saturation Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT one of the three major technological advances in modern agriculture?

Application of organic farming practices Signup and view all the answers

Which example does NOT relate to soil degradation?

Increase in microbial diversity Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is responsible for salinization in soil?

Accumulation of salts Signup and view all the answers

What are Rare Earth Elements primarily used for?

High-tech and clean-energy products Signup and view all the answers

Which country produces the majority of the world's lithium?

Australia Signup and view all the answers

What is a major consequence of land degradation due to metal mining?

Destruction of ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a driver behind the demand for metals in the 21st century?

Demographic decline Signup and view all the answers

How does mining contribute to water pollution?

Through acid mine drainage Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant feature of Rare Earth Elements regarding their separation?

Their chemical similarities make them difficult to separate Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of global lithium refining capacity is found in China?

65% Signup and view all the answers

What type of pollution is primarily caused by mining activities?

Water pollution Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant environmental benefit of aquaponics compared to traditional farming?

Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is true?

IPM aims to reduce environmental impact while managing pests. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of agroforestry?

It integrates trees and shrubs with crops or livestock. Signup and view all the answers

How does composting impact landfill waste?

It reduces landfill waste and methane emissions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of silvopasture in agroforestry practices?

To support sustainable food production while preserving ecosystem services. Signup and view all the answers

What is a downside of aquaponics?

It requires substantial initial investment and expertise. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major benefit of conservation tillage?

Improved carbon sequestration. Signup and view all the answers

What role do fish play in the aquaponics system?

They provide waste that serves as nutrients for plants. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main goals of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

Reduce long-term costs while minimizing environmental harm. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes mob grazing?

A concentrated grazing technique that promotes deeper root growth and plant diversity. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a watershed?

The land area from which surface runoff drains into a specific water body. Signup and view all the answers

Which is an ecological benefit of agroforestry?

Sequesters carbon through deeper root systems. Signup and view all the answers

How has global freshwater use changed over the last century?

It has increased sixfold and continues to grow by approximately 1% annually. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the driving forces behind the increase in freshwater use?

Changes in consumption patterns, especially increased meat consumption. Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge linked to conservation tillage?

Management of pests and upfront equipment costs. Signup and view all the answers

What consequence is commonly associated with the depletion of groundwater?

Land subsidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the significant increase in the demand for metals in clean energy technologies?

They require more materials than fossil fuel-based technologies. Signup and view all the answers

Which metal is specifically crucial for electric vehicles (EVs)?

Cobalt Signup and view all the answers

What does the Life Cycle Approach (LCA) help analyze regarding metals?

The environmental impacts of metals throughout their entire life cycle. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is essential for determining the success of metal recycling?

High intrinsic value of materials. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of thermal energy?

Heat from geothermal sources. Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial stage in the formation of fossil fuels?

Accumulation of organic matter in low-oxygen environments. Signup and view all the answers

At what temperature does the formation of natural gas occur during fossil fuel development?

150°C Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a necessary aspect of mining in the context of energy transition?

It remains essential to supply critical minerals. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation associated with extracting shale oil?

Low net energy yield Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the dominance of liquid fossil fuels?

Reliability of supply Signup and view all the answers

What is a core function of a nuclear power plant in generating electricity?

Controlling nuclear fission Signup and view all the answers

Which potential solution addresses the downside of intermittency in renewable energy sources?

Energy storage systems Signup and view all the answers

What does the Jevons Paradox suggest about increased resource efficiency?

It can lead to higher overall consumption of the resource Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following limitations is specifically associated with tar sands?

High water usage Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the rebound effect in energy efficiency efforts?

Increased consumption of energy-intensive services Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the expensive extraction of extra-heavy oil?

High viscosity of the oil Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Session 6

Weathering is the gradual breakdown of rocks into soil, occurring in three forms:
- Physical weathering: Mechanical processes like temperature fluctuations, abrasion, or frost.
- Chemical weathering: Chemical reactions between rocks and water, air, or other chemicals.
- Biological weathering: Breakdown by living organisms (plant roots, burrowing animals).
Microorganisms boost plant growth by:
- Regulating plant hormones to promote growth.
- Controlling harmful microbes that harm plants.
- Increasing soil nutrient availability for plant uptake.
Benefits of soil microbes:
- Improved soil structure.
- Nutrient availability enhancement.
- Protection of plants from pathogens.
- Contribution to humus formation through decomposition.
Soil's role in the carbon cycle:
- Soil acts as a significant carbon sink, storing more carbon than the atmosphere.
- Carbon is accumulated through photosynthesis and organic matter decomposition.
- Carbon release happens through respiration and oxidation, but healthy soil management can sequester carbon.
Soil threats:
- Deforestation
- Salinization
- Soil compaction
- Soil erosion

Session 7

Three major technological advancements in modern agriculture:
- Irrigation systems.
- Synthetic fertilizers.
- Synthetic pesticides.
Natural capital degradations resulting from modern agriculture:
- Soil Degradation:
  - Loss of organic matter
  - Soil compaction
- Water contamination:
  - Fertilizer runoff to cause eutrophication
  - Pesticides contaminating groundwater
- Biodiversity loss:
  - Reduced pollinator populations
  - Habitat destruction from monocultures
- Climate change contribution: -Increased greenhouse gas from fertilizers
  - Carbon release from soil degradation.
Aquaponics combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soilless plant cultivation), which is a sustainable, water-efficient system.

Session 8

A watershed is the land area where water from rainfall drains to a specific water body (rivers, streams, lakes).
Freshwater use has increased six-fold over the last century due to:
- Population growth.
- Improved living standards.
- Changing consumption patterns.
- Expansion of irrigated agriculture.

Session 9

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are crucial in high-tech and clean energy products but are chemically similar and difficult to separate; China dominates production.
Lithium is mainly produced from Australia, Chile and China, and processed in China.
Drivers of metal demand in the 21st century include infrastructure development, the electronics revolution, and the shift towards renewable energy.
Environmental issues of metal mining include land degradation, water pollution (acid mine drainage, toxic metals), and air pollution.
The energy transition impacts metal demand, requiring more materials than fossil fuels. Mines are still needed even with recycling due to the specific needs of certain technologies.
LCA (Life Cycle Approach) assesses the environmental impacts throughout a product's entire life cycle.

Session 10

Factors determining successful metal recycling include the intrinsic value of materials, efficiency of recycling processes, waste collection and pre-sorting, and a robust metallurgical industry.
Different energy forms include thermal, mechanical, chemical, and electrical energy.
Fossil fuels form from ancient organic materials (plant remains and organisms) in anaerobic environments like swamps over millions of years.
Non-conventional oil sources include shale oil (extracted by heating oil shale), tar sands (bitumen mixed with sand/clay, processed with water and energy), and extra-heavy oil (viscous oil extracted from oil shale rock from Venezuela; high viscosity makes extraction difficult).
The Jevons paradox is increased resource efficiency leading to higher consumption due to cheaper costs and increased use.
Fission nuclear energy involves splitting large atomic nuclei to release energy (e.g., Uranium 235). Nuclear power plants use controlled nuclear fission to generate steam to produce electricity.
Renewable energy sources (wind and solar) have intermittency problems due to weather variability, which demands solutions like energy storage, demand response programs, and grid modernization.

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Description

Explore the fundamental processes of weathering and the crucial role of soil microbes in promoting plant growth. This quiz covers physical, chemical, and biological weathering as well as the benefits of soil microorganisms and their impact on the carbon cycle. Test your understanding of these essential ecological concepts.

Soil and Weathering Concepts - Session 6

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