Earth Science Notes PDF

four subsystems Earth Science Atmosphere- layer of gases surrounding earth or other celestial body created by: ziara a.) exosphere- 800 to 3000 km b.) thermosphere- 80-90 to 800 km c ) mesosphere- 40-50 to 80-90km d.) stratosphere-...

four subsystems Earth Science Atmosphere- layer of gases surrounding earth or other celestial body created by: ziara a.) exosphere- 800 to 3000 km b.) thermosphere- 80-90 to 800 km c ) mesosphere- 40-50 to 80-90km d.) stratosphere- 11 to 50 km e.) troposphere- 0 to 12-18km Biosphere- made up of parts of the earth where life exists. Hydrosphere- total amount of water in the planet Geosphere- the earth itself: the rocks, minerals, and landforms of the surface and interior. Mineral Mineral- naturally occurring inorganic element or compound having an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties Characteristics of Minerals a.) naturally occurring- products of earth's natural processes b.) inorganic- must be product of earth's physical processes c.) homogeneous solid- should have definite volume and rigid shape d.) definite chemical composition- represented by a chemical formula e.) orderly crystalline structure- arranged in an orderly and repeating pattern Properties of mineral a.) color- color may change depending on the surface b.) streak- color of the powder left behind when it is scratched on a white tile c.) hardness- ability to scratch another miner or be scratched d.) cleavage- resistance to being broken and fracture e.) crystalline structure/habit- ideal shape of crystal faces f.) diaphaneity/transparency- ability to allow light pass through it transparent- object viewed through it is distinct translucent- transmits light but no object can be seen through it opaque- even on its thinnest edges, no light is transmitted g.) Luster- the way light bounces off the surface of a mineral (may be metallic or shiny, dull, glossy, or pearly) h.) tenacity- describes the minerals reaction to stress i.) brittleness- mineral turns into powder j.) malleability- can be flattened by pounding with a hammer k.) ductility- can be stretched into wire l.) sectility- ability to be sliced by a knife m.) flexible but inelastic- minerals are bent and remain to its new position n.) flexible and elastic- minerals are bent but return to its original position Rock- naturally occurring solid aggregate of one or more minerals a.) igneous- formed from the cooling and solidification of molten (melted) rock b.) sedimentary- formed from pre-existing rocks or pieces of once-living organisms. They form from deposits that accumulate on the Earth's surface. c.) metamorphic- when rocks are subjected to high heat, high pressure, hot mineral-rich fluids or, more commonly, some combination of these factors Mining Surface mining- extracting minerals near the surface of the earth open-pit mining- open-cast or open-cut mining. extracts rock or minerals from eartha and used when deposits or ore or rocks are found near the surface where overburden is thin strip mining- employed in coal reserves where the overburden is removed in rectangular blocks in plan view called pits/strips dredging- removal of sediments and debris from bottom of lakes, rivers, harbors, and other water bodies underground mining- used to extract ore from below the surface of the earth safely, economically, and with as little waste as possible Mineral Processing Sampling- removal of portion which represents a whole needed for the analysis Analysis- evaluating the components of an ore. this includes chemical, mineral, and particle size analysis Communition- process where components of an ore are separated through crashing and grinding Concentration- involves the separation of ore from raw materials Dewatering- involves filtration and sedimentation of suspension and drying of the solid matriaks harvested from this suspension Coal- combustible black or brownish black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams Gas- substance that is in a gaseous or vaporous state of matter Petroleum (Oil)- also called crude oil, is a fossil fuel. Like coal and gas, petroleum was formed from the remains of ancient marine organisms, such as plants, algae, and bacteria. Three main types of geothermal energy plants Dry steam power plant- most common geothermal tech used today. underground steam flows directly to a turbine to drive a generator that produces electricity Flash steam power plant- a pump pushes hot fluid into a tank at the surface, where it cools. As it cools, the fluid quickly turns into vapor–or "flash" vapors. these vapors then drive a turbine and power a generator. Binary cycle power plant- uses two types of fluids. hot fluid from underground heats a second fluid called heat transfer fluid, in a giant exchanger. when the second fluid flashes, it spins a turbine that drives a generator. Effects of poor water disposal Surface water contamination- technically , this is called water pollution, this will affect all ecosystems existing in the water. it can also harm animals that drink from such polluted water Soil contamination- can harm plants when they take up the contamination through their roots. Overgrazing- desertification and biodiversity loss Types of waste Liquid waste- commonly found both in household as well as in industries. Solid waste variety of items found in your household along with commercial and industrial locations a.) plastic waste- consists of bags, containers, bottles, and many other product l. plastic is not biodegradable, but many types can be recycled b.) paper/card waste- includes packaging materials, newspapers, cardboards, and other products. c. tins & metals- appliances, product packaging, paint cans d.) ceramics & glass- figurines, jalousie, wine or liquor bottles, glass can be recycled indefinitely Organic waste- all food waste, such as raw peelings, and stems, garden waste, such as grass clippings, branches, and leaves Hazardous waste- CANNOT be disposed of in regular garbage. Any product which is labeled WARNING, CAUTION, POISONOUS, TOXIC, FLAMMABLE, etc. should be considered hazardous Waste according to generation (origin) Municipal solid waste- include household garbage, rubbish, construction and demolition debris, sanitation residues, trade refuges and other managed by any municipality Industrial waste- liquid and solid waste that are generated by manufacturing and processing units of various industries like chemical, petroleum, coal, metal, gas, anitary and papers Agricultural waste- waste generated from farming activities Fishery waste- generated due to fishery activities. extensively found in coastal and estuarine areas Radioactive waste- ccommonlybyproducts of nuclear processes. sometimes industries that are not directly involved in nuclear activities may also produce some Radioactive waste E-waste- generated from any modern establishments. they may be described as discarded electrical or electronic devices Biomedical waste- solid or liquid waste including containers, intermediate, or end products generated durong diagnosis, treatment, and research activities of medial sciences. two main sources of water Surface water- form of oceans, rovers, lakes, reservoir, ponds and steams Underground water- cam be obtained by digging wells or sinking tube Soil- can be defined as organic and inorganic materials on the surface of earth that provide the medium for plant growth Tillage- preparation of soil for planting and the cultivation of soil after planting Farming- traditional sources of income in our country done by planting crops or raising livestock. Construction of structures- grading and filling, reduce soil quality on construction sites Buffer strip- permanent vegetation used to reduce water and wind erosion No-till farming- approach that allows crops to remain in place for a season Fewer concrete surface- requires an adequate amount of water in order to function properly Plant wondbreak areas- composed of shrubs, plants and trees. they work in combination and serve a conservation purpose. Terrace planting- done by maximizing the topography of the land Crop rotation- process that works to conserve soil. accomplished by planting and growing a diff crops in the same soil Maintain pH- indication of the acidity or alkalinity of soil and is measured in pH units Indigenous crops- native crop options that enhance the soil. Monitor grazing- helps prevent depletion of the soil and addresses the tissue of hoof damage which can occur to the soil Dams- structures work to prevent soil erosion. dans offer additional protection Fertilizers- use of organic fertilizers improves the quality of soil bcs it is composed of readily biodegradable materials No soil compacting- do this by creating dedicated paths in your garden. this helps you to not walk on wet soil causing it to be compacted Control storm water- set up large container to hold excess water in problem locations Monitor growth- checking the salient composition and fertility. this is done through regular monitoring of the soil and overall plant growth Kinds of waste Solid waste- types of wastes in solid form like domestic, commercial, and industrial waste such as plastics, styrofoams, papers, scral iron, and sludge from wastewater treatment plant or air control facility Liquid waste- liquid form such as chemicals, oils,, and waste water from ponds and manufacturing industries. includes sewage as well as waste water from industrial and agricultural processing Gaseous waste- usually originates from chopping and dissolution operations. Classification of waste Biodegradable- can be degraded (ex: papers, woods, fruits) Non-biodegradable- cannot be degraded (ex: bottles, plastics, machines, cans) Hazardous- unsafe to use and have ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity Non-hazardous- safe to use and usually create disposal problems