Earth's Natural Resources PDF

EARTH’S NATURAL RESOURCES The Green Revolution, occurring primarily from the 1940s to the late 1980s, was a significant period of agricultural transformation that aimed to increase food production worldwide, particularly in developing countries. This movement is characterized by the introdu...

EARTH’S NATURAL RESOURCES The Green Revolution, occurring primarily from the 1940s to the late 1980s, was a significant period of agricultural transformation that aimed to increase food production worldwide, particularly in developing countries. This movement is characterized by the introduction of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of crops, especially cereals like wheat and rice, along with advancements in agricultural techniques and technologies. Key Features:  High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs)  Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides  Irrigation Improvements:  Increased Crop Production: SOIL EROSION Soil erosion is the detachment and movement of soil particles from the point of origination through the action of water or wind. Thus, minimizing the impact of water or wind forces is the main objective for erosion control. Soil erosion by water occurs when bare sloped soil surface is exposed to rainfall, and the rainfall intensity exceeds the rate of soil intake, or infiltration rate, leading to soil-surface runoff. Soil erosion can occur in two stages: 1) detachment of soil particles by raindrop impact, splash, or flowing water; and 2) transport of detached particles by splash or flowing water. Therefore, soil erosion is a physical process requiring energy, and its control requires certain measures to dissipate this energy. THE CAUSES, EFFECTS AND PREVENTION OF SOIL EROSION Cause of Soil Erosion:  RAINFALL AND FLOODING: Higher intensity of rainstorms is the main cause of soil erosion. Four types of soil erosion are caused by rainfall:  Sheet erosion (water) - is almost invisible. Lighter colored soils are a sign that over the year’s erosion has taken its toll.  Wind erosion - is highly visible. Although it is a problem, water erosion is generally much more severe.  Rill erosion - occurs during heavy rains, when small rills form over an entire hillside, making farming difficult.  Gully erosion - makes gullies, some of them huge, impossible to cross with farm machinery.  Ephemeral erosion - occurs in natural depressions. It differs from gully erosion in that the area can be crossed by farm equipment.  AGRICULTURE The farming practices are the major cause of soil erosion. The agricultural activities disturb the ground. The trees are cleared and the land is ploughed to sow new seeds. Since most of the crops are grown during the spring season, the land lies fallow during winters. Most of the soil is eroded during winters. Also, the tires of tractors make grooves on the land, making a natural pathway for water. Fine soil particles are eroded by wind.  GRAZING The grazing animals feed on the grasses and remove the vegetation from the land. Their hooves churn up the soil. They also pull out plants by their roots. This loosens the soil and makes it more prone to erosion.  LOGGING AND MINING A large number of trees are cut down to carry out the logging process. Trees hold the soil firmly. The canopy of the trees protects the soil from heavy rainfall. The leaf litter that protects the soil from erosion, is also lost during logging. Mining activities also disturb the land and leave the soil more prone to erosion.  CONSTRUCTION The construction of roads and buildings exposes the soil to erosion. The forests and grasslands are cleared for construction purposes, which exposes the soil making it vulnerable to erosion.  RIVERS AND STREAMS The flowing rivers and streams carry away the soil particles leading to a V-shaped erosion activity.  HEAVY WINDS During dry weather or in the semi-arid regions, the minute soil particles are carried away by the wind to faraway lands. This degrades the soil and results in desertification. EFFECTS OF SOIL EROSION  LOSS OF ARABLE LAND Soil erosion removes the top fertile layer of the soil. This layer is rich in the essential nutrients required by the plants and the soil. The degraded soil does not support crop production and leads to low crop productivity.  CLOGGING OF WATERWAYS The agricultural soil contains pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, and several other chemicals. This pollutes the water bodies where the soil flows. The sediments accumulate in the water and raise the water levels resulting in flooding.  AIR POLLUTION The dust particles merge in the air, resulting in air pollution. Some of the toxic substances such as pesticides and petroleum can be extremely hazardous when inhaled. The dust plumes from the arid and semi-arid regions cause widespread pollution when the winds move.  DESERTIFICATION Soil erosion is a major factor for desertification. It transforms the habitable regions into deserts. Deforestation and destructive use of land worsens the situation. This also leads to loss of biodiversity, degradation of the soil, and alteration in the ecosystem.  DESTRUCTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE The accumulation of soil sediments in dams and along the banks can reduce their efficiency. Thus, it affects infrastructural projects such as dams, embankments, and drainage. SOIL EROSION PREVENTION 1. Plant trees on barren lands to limit erosion of soil. 2. Add mulch and rocks to prevent the plants and grass underneath to prevent soil erosion. 3. Mulch matting can be used to reduce erosion on slopes. 4. Put a series of fibre logs to prevent any water or soil from washing away. 5. A wall at the base of the slope can help in preventing the soil from eroding. 6. Every household should have a proper drainage system so that water flows down into proper water collecting systems. Pesticide toxicity – Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification Bioaccumulation  refers to the concentration of pollutants from the environment, which occurs within a trophic level, i.e., one level of a food chain, usually the first organism in the food chain.  Bioaccumulants are toxic substances that increase in concentration in tissues of living organisms. They enter the organism through contaminated air, water, or food and are very slowly metabolized or excreted. Biomagnification  It is also known as bioamplification or biological magnification.  This is the way substances become concentrated in living things as the substance moves through a food chain. (up trophic levels). It is the increase in concentration of a pollutant that occurs in a food chain as a consequence of: 1. Persistence (can't be broken down by environmental processes) 2. Bioenergetics in the food chain  3. Low rate of internal degradation/excretion of the substance often due to water- insolubility  Biomagnification occurs when substances such as pesticides or heavy metals move up the food chain by working their way into the environment. e.g. Pollutants in rivers or lakes are taken up by microorganisms like plankton and are eaten by aquatic organisms such as fish, which in turn are eaten by large birds, animals, and humans. The substances become concentrated in tissues or internal organs as they move up the chain. In order for biomagnification to occur, the pollutant must be: 1. Long-lived – the chemical persists in the environment for a long time before breaking down. 2. Mobile – if it will stay in one place, it is unlikely to be taken up by organisms. 3. Soluble in fats – if it is soluble in water, it will be excreted by the organism. 4. Biologically active – if it is not active biologically, it may biomagnify, but it won't cause any problems. Persistent pollutant Short-lived pollutant  Pollutants that dissolve in  If a pollutant is short-lived, it will be fats(persistent pollutants) are broken down before it can become retained for a long time. dangerous.  Lipid or fat soluble substances can  If it is not mobile, it will stay in one not be diluted, broken down, or place and is unlikely to be taken up excreted in urine. by organisms.  They accumulate in fatty tissues of  If the pollutant is soluble in water it an organism if the organism lacks will be excreted by the organism. enzymes to degrade them.  Biomagnification is a well-known phenomenon for toxicants like mercury and DDT.  DDT: dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane, (chlorinated hydrocarbon) - used as pesticide. DDT (cont'd)   not very toxic for humans but  highly toxic to insects  in high concentrations it can cause problems in other animals  shell-thinning and feminization in birds DDT has a half-life: 15 years, which means if you use 100 kg of DDT, it will break down as follows: Mercury levels in fish across West Bengal  Alarming levels of toxic mercury were found in 264 samples of popular fish (like Rohu, Bhola, Tangra, Aar, Bhetki and other fish varieties)collected across West Bengal. [organisations : Toxics Link and DISHA on 2012]  129 of the fish showed methyl mercury levels (a metabolized and more poisonous form of mercury) exceeding the 0.25 ppm PFA stipulations. Causes:  Coal firing  Mining  Thermal plants  Industrial effluents directly discharged into water bodies  Municipal waste water streams. High level of mercury causes:  Neurotoxicity and impairs motor skills  Stunts psychological development and growth  Can cause serious mental disorders over a gradual period of time Fish with the Highest Levels of Mercury  King Mackerel  Swordfish  Tilefish   Shark Fish and Seafood with Mid-Range Mercury Levels  Tuna  Bluefish  Lobster  Weakfish (sea trout)  Halibut  Sablefish Fish and Seafood with Low Mercury Levels  Crab  Squid  Monkfish  Carp  Whitefish  Spiny lobster Fish and Seafood with Very Low Mercury Levels  Tilapia  Oyster  Salmon  Sardine  Catfis Sustainable Agriculture Water and Air Resources Water Resources  Water is essential to life on Earth. Humans can live for more than month without food, but we can live for only a few days without water. Two kinds of water found on Earth:  Fresh water - the water that people can drink, contains little salt.   Salt water - the water in oceans, contains a higher concentration of dissolved salts. The Water Cycle Water is a renewable resource because it is circulated in the water cycle.In the water cycle, water molecules travel between the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere.  Water evaporates at the Earth’s surface.  Water vapor rises into the air.  As the vapor rises, it condenses to form clouds. Eventually the water in clouds falls back to the Earth.  The oceans are important because almost all of the Earth’s water is in the ocean. Global Water Distribution  Although 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, nearly 97 percent of Earth’s water is salt water in oceans and seas.  Of the fresh water on Earth, about 77 percent is frozen in glaciers and polar icecaps.  Only a small percentage of the water on Earth is liquid fresh water that humans can use. (~1%)  The fresh water we use comes mainly from lakes and rivers and from a relatively narrow zone beneath the Earth’s Surface Water Surface water is all the bodies of fresh water, salt water, ice, and snow, that are found above the ground. The distribution of surface water has played a vital role in the development of human societies. River system River system is a flowing network of rivers and streams draining a river basin. Watersheds A watershed is the area of land that is drained by a water system.The amount of water that enters a watershed varies throughout the year. Groundwater Groundwater is water that exists underground in saturated zones beneath the land surface. As water travels beneath the Earth’s surface, it eventually reaches a level where the rocks and soil are saturated with water.   This level is known as the water table.  In wet regions, the water table may be at the Earth’s surface.  In deserts, the water table may be hundreds of meters beneath Earth’s surface.  The water table has peaks and valleys that match the shape of the land above. Groundwater tends to flow slowly from the peaks to the valleys. Aquifers An aquifer is a body or rock or sediment that stores groundwater and allows the flow of groundwater. Porosity Porosity is the percentage of the total volume of a rock or sediment that consists of open spaces. Permeability Permeability is the ability of a rock or sediment to let fluids pass through it open spaces or pores. The Recharge Zone  To reach an aquifer, surface water must travel down through permeable layers of soil and rock.  Water cannot reach an aquifer from places where the aquifer is covered by impermeable materials.  The recharge zone is an area in which water travels downward to become part of an aquifer.  Recharge zones are environmentally sensitive areas because any pollution in the recharge zone can also enter the aquifer. Wells A hole that is dug or drilled to reach groundwater is called a well.  Humans have dug wells to reach groundwater for thousands of years.  The height of the water table changes seasonally, so wells are drilled to extend below the water table.  If the water tables falls below the bottom of the well during a drought, the well will dry up. Air Resource  The mixture of gases that surrounds the earth and that w breathe. Nitrogen - 78.09% Oxygen - 20.94% Inert Gas 0.97% ATMOSPHERE The atmosphere protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for liquid water to exist on the Earth’s surface, absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation. Exosphere -is leaking out of earth atmosphere into outer space. Thermosphere - The aurora, the Northern Light and Southern Lights, occur in Mesosphere - most meteors burn up in the mesosphere. Stratosphere- Ozone is found in this layer. Troposphere-Humans live in the troposphere. Most clouds appear here. IMPORTANCE OF AIR AND ATMOSPHERE  There are gases that are essential to the living things.  Air can influence the quantity and quality of other resources  Help adjust the temperature of the world.  Helps to prevent sun rays.  Objects falling from the sky PETROLEUM RESOURCES/FOSSIL FUELS What are Fossil Fuels?  Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, coal products, natural gas, derived gas, crude oil, petroleum products and non-renewable wastes. These fuels originate from plants and animals that existed in the geological past (for example, millions of years ago). Fossil fuels can be also made by industrial processes from other fossil fuels (for example in the oil refinery, crude oil is transformed into motor gasoline).  For decades fossil fuels satisfy most of the human energy requirements. Fossil fuels are carbon-based and their combustion results in the release of carbon into the Earth's atmosphere (carbon that was stored hundreds of millions years ago). It is  estimated that roughly 80% of all manmade CO2 and green-house gas emissions originate from fossil fuels combustion.  Coal- A solid fossil fuel formed from decomposed plant matter, primarily used for electricity generation. Example: Burning coal in power plants to generate electricity.  Oil (Petroleum)- A liquid fossil fuel formed from marine organisms, primarily used for transportation fuels and manufacturing. Example: Refining crude oil into gasoline to power cars.  Natural Gas- A gaseous fossil fuel primarily composed of methane, used for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. Example: Using natural gas to heat homes and cook meals. Petroleum: The "Rock Oil"  The word petroleum comes from Medieval Latin petroleum (literally 'rock oil'), which comes from Latin petra 'rock' (from Greek pétra ) and oleum 'oil' (from Greek élaion).  Petroleum is a naturally occurring yellowish-black liquid mixture. It consists mainly of hydrocarbons, and is found in geological formations. The term petroleum refers both to naturally occurring unprocessed crude oil, as well as to petroleum products that consist of refined crude oil. Formation: 1. Organic Matter Accumulation- Plankton and algae die and sink to the ocean floor, accumulating in layers. 2. Burial and Sedimentation- These layers are buried under sediment, increasing pressure and temperature. 3. Transformation- Over millions of years, heat and pressure transform the organic matter into kerogen, a waxy substance. 4. Petroleum Formation- Further heat and pressure convert kerogen into hydrocarbons, forming oil and natural gas. Extraction:  Oil Drilling- Wells are drilled into underground reservoirs to extract crude oil.  Fracking- A controversial technique used to extract oil and gas from shale formations, involving injecting high-pressure fluids into the rock to fracture it. Refining:   Distillation- Crude oil is heated and separated into different products based on their boiling points, such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and asphalt. Examples of Petroleum Products:  Gasoline- Used as fuel for cars, trucks, and other vehicles.  Diesel Fuel- Used for heavy-duty vehicles, trains, and ships.  Kerosene- Used as jet fuel and for heating.  Asphalt- Used for paving roads and parking lots.  Plastics- A wide variety of plastics are derived from petroleum.  Pharmaceuticals- Some medicines and chemicals are derived from petroleum. Importance of Fossil Fuels:  Energy Source- Fossil fuels provide a significant portion of the world's energy needs, powering homes, industries, and transportation.  Economic Impact- The fossil fuel industry is a major contributor to global economies, providing jobs and revenue.  Technological Advancements- Fossil fuels have fueled many technological advancements throughout history. Challenges of Fossil Fuels:  Environmental Impacts  Climate Change- Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, which contribute to global warming.  Air Pollution- Fossil fuel combustion releases harmful pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause respiratory problems and acid rain.  Water Pollution- Oil spills and runoff from mining operations contaminate water sources.  Land Degradation- Mining and drilling operations damage landscapes and ecosystems.  Depletion- Fossil fuels are finite resources, and their continued use will eventually lead to depletion. Moving Towards a Sustainable Future:  Renewable Energy- Transitioning to cleaner energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower.  Energy Efficiency- Reducing energy consumption through technology and behavioral changes.  Conservation- Protecting natural resources and reducing waste  NUCLEAR POWER NUCLEAR ENERGY – a powerful source of energy is generated during a nuclear reaction, by change in the nucleus of an atom. EINSTEIN’S THEORY – the source of nuclear energy is the mass of the nucleus and energy generated during a nuclear reaction is due to the conversion of mass into energy. TWO WAYS TO OBTAIN NUCLEAR ENERGY: 1. NUCLEAR FISSION REACTION – the nucleus of a heavy radioactive element like uranium, plutonium or thorium splits up into smaller nuclei, when bombarded by low energy neutrons. 2. NUCLEAR FUSION REACTION – a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei come close enough to form one or more different atomic nucleic and subatomic particles (protons and neutrons). ADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR ENERGY:  CLEAN ENERGY  HIGH QUANTITIES  HIGH RESERVES  RELIABILITY  LOW OPERATION COST  CONCENTRATION  LOW WASTE  CHEAP   LOCATION DISADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR ENERGY:  RADIAITION ACCIDENT  RADIOACTIVE WASTE  REQUIRES HIGH INITIAL CAPITAL COST  EUTROPHICATION LEADING TO DEATH OF AQUATIC LIFE  IMPACTS ON HUMAN HEALTH  IT’S NOT RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE  NATIONAL RISK DUE TO TERRORISM  FUEL AVAILABILITY NUCLEAR REACTOR – contain and control nuclear chain reactions that produce heat through a physical process called fission. PARTS OF THE NUCLEAR REACTOR PELLETS – the basic fuel. MODERATOR – substance that slow the neurons and helps control the fission process. CONTAINMENT- keeps radioactive gases and liquids inside, where they can’t hurt anyone. COOLANT – absorbs and transmits heat. CONTROL RODS – made with neutron absorbing mmaterial such as cadmium, hafnium, or boron. TYPES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS: 1. THE BOILING WATER REACTOR – boil the water sorrounding the nuclear fuel, heating it directly into steam inside the reactor vessel. 2. PRESSURIZED WATER REACTOR – heat the water surrounding the nuclear fuel, but keep the water under pressure to prevent it from boiling. NUCLEAR POWER PLANT -atomic power station is a thermal power station in which the heat source is a nuclear reactor.  POSITIVE IMPACT OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT:  LOW POLLUTION  LOW OPERATING COSTS  RELIABILITY  MORE PROFICIENT THAN FOSSIL FUELS  RENEWABLE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT:  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT  RADIOACTIVE WASTE (DISPOSAL AND DECAY)  NUCLEAR ACCIDENT  URANIUM IS FINITE  THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION  CANCER  IODINE  WASTE HEAT NUCLEAR FUEL - fuel that is used in a nuclear reactor to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. NUCLEAR DISASTER  CHERNOBYL DISASTER  FUKUSHIMA ACCIDENT  THREE MILE ISLAND  ATOMIC BOMBING AT HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI  PHILIPPINE ACCIDENT NUCLEAR DISASTER MANAGEMENT  STABILIZE THE ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY  STORE FUEL IN DRY CASKS  INSTALL FILTERED VENT SYSTEM  CHANGE WIRES IN EVERY 2 YEARS  BE SAFE WHILE USING RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE – path that we put heavy atoms through in order to extract energy from them, starting at the day we find them and ending when their wastes have decayed to stability and are no longer dangerous.  NUCLEAR WASTE - a byproduct from nuclear reactors, fuel processing plants, hospitals and research facilities. DISPOSAL OF LIQUID WASTE – the disposal of liquid wastes in done in two ways: 1. DILUTION – liquid waste are diluted with large quantities of water then released into the ground. 2. CONCENTRATION TO SMALL VOLUMES AND STORAGE – the liquid waste are concentrated to small volumes and stored in underground tanks. DISPOSAL OF GASEOUS AND SOLID WASTES - GASEOUS WASTE – most easily results in atmospheric pollution. - SOLID WASTE - discarded materials that are no longer required by the owner or user. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Resources Renewable and sustainable energy resources- are energy sources that can be replenished naturally over time, unlike fossil fuels which are finite. These resources are considered sustainable because they do not deplete the environment.Types of Renewable and Sustainable Energy 1. Solar Energy:  Solar Photovoltaic (PV): Converts sunlight into electricity.  Solar Thermal: Uses sunlight to heat water or other substances. Major solar farms in the Philippines can be found in Cavite, Pampanga, Ilocos Norte, and Cagayan de Oro. 2. Wind Energy:  Wind Turbines: Capture wind energy and convert it into electricity. Wind power plants in the Philippines are located in Ilocos Norte, Rizal, Guimaras, and Aklan. 3. Hydropower:  Dams: Harness the energy from flowing water to generate electricity. Hydroelectric power plants in the Philippines are located in Pangasinan, Benguet, Laguna, Isabela, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Sur, Bohol, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, and Misamis Oriental. 4. Biomass:   Biofuels: Made from organic materials like plants and waste. Biomass power plants in the Philippines are located in Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Laguna, Isabela, and Metro Manila. 5. Geothermal Energy:  Heat Pumps: Utilize heat from the Earth’s interior to generate electricity or heat. Geothermal plants in the Philippines are located in Laguna, Sorsogon, Albay, Batangas, Negros Occidental, Leyte, and North Cotabato. 6. Ocean Energy:  Tidal Power: Captures energy from the tides.  Wave Power: Harvests energy from ocean waves. Initial ocean energy potential sites identified include the Hinatuan Passage, Camarines, Northeastern Samar, Surigao, Batan Island, Catanduanes, Tacloban, San Bernardino Strait, Babuyan Island, Ilocos Norte, Siargao Island and Davao Oriental. Benefits of Renewable and Sustainable Energy  Environmental: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.  Economic: Creates jobs and reduces dependence on foreign oil.  Energy Security: Provides a reliable and diverse energy supply. Challenges and Considerations  Initial Costs: Can be higher than traditional energy sources.  Intermittency: Some renewable resources, like solar and wind, are dependent on weather conditions.  Infrastructure: Requires significant investment in new infrastructure. Source: https://solenergy.com.ph/renewable-energy-spots-philippines/ Prepared by: Climaco, Johnrey R. Day, Quennie Marie S. Pazo, Wenjelyn P. Quezada, Chrisgyn A. Quizada, Alyssa Mae G. Sombilla, Mary Grace S.