Chapter 30
ABC Oil wants to drill down to a large oil reserve, but that reserve is directly below a protected wildlife habitat and drilling is not allowed. What method can ABC Oil employ to access the oil profitably and incur the least amount of damage to the environment? A) Horizontal drilling should be used to economically access the desired oil and make the least amount of impact on the drilling area B) Contract a petroleum geologist to evaluate the area and advise the company how to proceed C) Use 3-D seismic technology to drill and access the oil from a more remote point D) There is no option for them as drilling is not allowed in a protected area.
A
How does subsistence farming threaten environmental sustainability? A) The deforestation leads to soil erosion and other problems. B) The heavy use of irrigation threatens ground water supply. C) The use of commercial farming equipment uses high amounts of oil. D) The high level of supply subsistence farmers seek threatens to overuse the land.
A
Jones Energy Inc. has been asked by the state government to stop using non-renewable fuel sources, and begin using Biomass. Jones Energy Inc. has disputed this request. Which of the following would be a legitimate and documented reason why using Biomass would NOT be feasible for their company? A) Biomass has a high initial cost barrier, making it financially difficult for the company. B) Biomass is a fossil fuel, and subject to environmental concerns. C) Biomass produces excessive carbon dioxide emissions. D) Biomass will run out, and thus isn't a feasible alternative.
A
One of Earth's materials, _____, is a mixture of decomposed organic matter and two other types of Earth's materials, _____. A) soil; broken down rock and minerals B) rocks; soil and minerals. C) minerals; soil and broken down rock D) soil; water and minerals
A
Solar energy can be defined as A) energy that comes from the sun B) energy that is nonrenewable C) energy that is fused and nonradiant D) energy obtained through photosynthesis E) energy derived from non-vibrating light particles
A
Total Logging wants to start cutting down trees in a particular area, but they are an environmentally friendly logging company and they want to ultimately preserve the woodland. What can they do to accomplish this? A) Selective logging B) Sustainable logging C) Selective deforesting D) There is no way to do logging and preserve the woodland.
A
What decay particle is released by Pu-239? A) alpha B) both alpha and beta-plus C) beta-plus D) beta-minus
A
What is an agrarian society? A) A society where cultivating the land is the primary source of wealth: where the focus is on agriculture and farming. B) A society where the focus is on trade and commerce. C) None of the other answers are correct. D) A society where fishing in the main source of income. E) A society where people move around season by season, year by year.
A
What is the significance of using 3-D Seismic Technology for oil and natural gas exploration? A) it uses sound waves to create images of underground formations and get a picture of what lies beneath the Earth's surface B) it uses sound waves to direct the path taken for directional drilling C) it uses sound waves as a method of communication to workers below the water's surface in offshore drilling D) it uses sound waves to safely access areas where drilling is not allowed due to wildlife management or existing structures
A
What is the term used for crops that are grown for the specific purpose of being used as biomass energy? A) Energy Crops B) Bio Crops C) Photosynthetic Crops D) Carbon Active Crops
A
What was the gold rush? A) A rapid movement of people because of the discovery of gold, especially to California and other parts of the Western United States in the 19th century. B) A rapid movement of people away from California and other parts of the Western United States in the 18th century. C) The rush to buy as much gold as possible in the 18th century. D) A rapid movement of people because of the discovery of gold, especially to California and other parts of the Western United States in the 18th century. E) None of the other answers are correct.
A
What were the main factors that decided where hunter-gatherers settled down when forming agrarian societies? A) The presence of water and fertile soil. B) The presence of wood, stone and metal ores. C) The presence of gold, silver and oil. D) The presence of water and food to gather. E) The presence of water and gold.
A
When a petroleum geologist evaluates an area and finds an oil deposit that can be economically recovered using existing technologies, it is said to be _____. A) a Proved Reserve B) a Seismic Field C) an Extraction D) a Fossil Fuel
A
When carbon is heated up with copper ore and takes the oxygen from the copper, what has taken place? A) High temperature carbon reduction of copper oxide B) Cementation C) Carbon burning D) Wastewater recovery
A
Which of the following descriptions best explains environmental sustainability? A) Responsible interaction with the environment to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources and allow for long-term environmental quality B) The ability for all individuals regardless of nationality to enjoy the natural resources of the environment C) The ability of the environment to keep producing minerals and other energy sources D) The term that is used to describe the economic value of the natural environment
A
Which of the following is FALSE about minerals? A) Minerals are always round in shape. B) Minerals have a crystalline structure. C) Minerals are naturally occurring and formed through natural geological processes. D) Minerals have a definite chemical composition.
A
Which of the following is NOT true of acid mine drainage? A) It separates the metals from the impurities. B) Harmful components are picked up by rainwater. C) It occurs from abandoned coal mines. D) Water involved contains metals and toxins.
A
Which of the following is a giant, circular, swirling storm? A) Hurricane B) Earthquake C) Tsunami D) Mudslide
A
Which of the following is an explosion of the Earth? A) Volcanic eruption B) Hurricane C) Earthquake D) Tsunami
A
Which of the following statements is FALSE concerning sustainable agriculture? A) Sustainable agriculture farmers often grow monocrops, which means they grow a single crop year after year. B) Sustainable agriculture is the use of farming techniques that protect the environment. C) It grew out of concerns over the industrialization of agriculture. D) With sustainable agriculture, farmers minimize usage of chemical pesticides and fertilizers
A
How does surface mining work
A large pit is created as machines scrape off any earth that is not ore and is set aside. The overburden (discarded mineral) is removed, explosives are used to break up the ore minerals and then taken to be refined
How does subsurface mining work
A long tunnel is made Tunnels reinforced by wood and ventilation shafts
Contrast the way natural gas and oil are formed to the way coal is formed. A) Natural gas and oil are formed by decomposed animal matter only; coal is formed by decomposed plant matter only. B) Natural gas and oil are formed by decomposed plant and animal matter; coal is formed by decomposed plant matter only. C) Natural gas and oil are formed by decomposed animal matter only; coal is formed by decomposed plant and animal matter. D) Natural gas and oil are formed by decomposed plant matter only; coal is formed by decomposed animal matter only.
B
How does smog develop? A) It develops as a result of climate change over time. B) The burning of fossil fuels releases pollutants that mix with particles in the air. C) Overdrilling in areas releases chemical pollutants from the ground, creating smog. D) Fossil fuels release pollutants into the air whether they are burned or not, creating smog.
B
Plants are a renewable resource that provide which of the following product(s) for our use? A) Food B) Plants provide all of these C) products for our use D) Energy E) Shelter
B
What is the main difference between renewable and non-renewable resources? A) Where they are found on Earth B) How quickly they can regenerate C) How they are used in our everyday lives D) How long they can be stored
B
Which of the following compares longwall mining to solution mining? A) Longwall mining involves hot water injected into the ore to dissolve it while solution mining is used to shear coal from mine walls. B) Longwall mining is used to shear coal from mine walls while solution mining involves hot water injected into the ore to dissolve it. C) Longwall mining involves hot water injected into the ore to dissolve it while solution mining involves a series of explosion. D) Longwall mining involves a series of explosion while solution mining is used to shear coal from mine walls.
B
Which of the following descriptions of people BEST mirrors how nuclei undergo 'nuclear fusion'? A) An employer delegates his work to lighten his load. B) Individual activists join forces for a collective protest. C) An instructor provides real world examples for his students to fuse learning to long-term memory. D) A mediator diffuses tension between two judicial parties. E) An artist uses a combination of mediums in her self portrait.
B
Which of the following is NOT an advantage to using fossil fuels? A) They are abundant and accessible. B) They produce carbon dioxide. C) They provide a great deal of energy. D) They are transported relatively easily.
B
Which of the following is TRUE of Biomass Energy? A) It is a limited resource B) It is energy derived from organic material C) It is a fossil fuel D) It is non-renewable
B
Which of the following is a major disadvantage associated with burning fossil fuels? A) Ozone depletion B) Acid precipitation. C) Eutrophication D) Rapid urbanization
B
Which of the following is an advantage of biomass energy? A) It produces carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere B) It is an abundant resource C) It is easily and cheaply transported and stored D) It comes with absolutely no environmental concerns
B
Which of the following isotopes is used as a nuclear fuel? A) U-238 B) U-235 C) Pb-204 D) Pu-244
B
Which sentence best describes what happens in cementation? A) Copper is obtained from coal B) A reactive metal trades places with a less reactive metal C) Carbon is heated up and takes oxygen D) Copper is mixed with water
B
Which type of radioactive decay does U-235 undergo? A) beta-minus B) alpha C) beta-plus D) gamma
B
Why are petroleum geologists continually developing new technologies to reach and extract oil that was previously inaccessible or too costly to recover? A) Oil and natural gas reserves are now found deeper in the earth due to over-drilling in the past. New technology must be derived to drill deeper and reach them. B) Proved reserves of oil and gas are not projected to have an endless supply. Oil and gas in areas that are difficult to reach and extract must be cost effectively accessed. C) New technology has been proven to be more cost effective than traditional drilling methods. D) New drilling methods were created in conjunction with the development of 3-D Seismic technology.
B
How to convert biomass to E
Burn, heat in broilers to produce steam, or co-firing
Co-firing
Burning two forms of fuel (biomass with coal) at the same time
Choose the appropriate statement that refers to open-pit mining. A) Open-pit mining is a method used to shear coal from mine walls. B) Open-pit mining is used when ore is found in a wide area but not very deep. C) Open-pit mining is used for very large, surface deposits of ore. D) Open-pit mining creates a mine deep underground.
C
How does industrial agriculture threaten environmental sustainability? A) It causes the release of carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. B) It is the leading cause of global climate change. C) It relies heavily on irrigation, which could deplete groundwater. D) It is a subsistence activity that leads to deforestation.
C
How is smelting most harmful to the environment? A) It can lead to landslides. B) It creates noise pollution. C) It can cause air pollution. D) It causes leaching of toxic chemicals into the ground.
C
Subsurface mining is _____ disruptive to the earth and produces _____ waste than surface mining. A) less, more B) more, less C) less, less D) more, more
C
What role does a 'photon' play in the procurement of solar energy? A) Photons are produced through nuclear fusion, a necessary process for solar energy. B) Photons are in the top of the electromagnetic spectrum and are, thus, best suited for solar energy procurement. C) Photons are the bits of energy the sun releases that sets the stage for all solar energy. D) Photons bind to form electronic waves which have an unpredictable frequency to be harnessed. E) Photons originate from the outer depths of the solar system and bounce off the sun to produce energy.
C
When hunter-gatherers settled down to form farming communities, where did they tend to settle most often? A) In deserts. B) At the South Pole. C) On the flood-plains of rivers. D) In the mountains. E) Near the sea.
C
Which of the following is NOT a natural disaster? A) Hurricane B) Hailstorm C) Rain D) Flood
C
Which of the following is a storm with large chunks of falling ice? A) Typhoon B) Tsunami C) Hailstorm D) Avalanche
C
Which of the following is an application of environmental sustainability? A) Sustainable fossil fuels B) Sustainable monocrops C) Sustainable forestry D) Sustainable oil
C
Which of the following is not a potential source of sustainable energy? A) Wind B) The sun C) Oil D) Energy crops
C
Why is pore space important in earth's soil? A) Pore space allows nutrient production and water retention. B) Plants attach their roots to the pore spaces. C) Pore space allows water and air to circulate in the soil. D) Soil is mostly pore space (50%).
C
Why is recycling so important to the environment? A) It prevents non-renewable resources from being extracted from the ground B) It prevents the waste of non-renewable resources only C) It prevents the waste of both renewable and non-renewable resources D) It decreases the amount of time a renewable resource takes to regenerate
C
Cons of biomass E
Costly tech Heavy equipment Gases released need to be captured Crops used are also food crops which increases competition
Energy crops
Crops grown from organic materials
A certain island was evacuated because waves of 80 feet were coming towards the island. Which natural disaster prompted this evacuation? A) Earthquake B) Cyclone C) Blizzard D) Tsunami
D
Biomass can be burned simultaneously with coal. What is this process called? A) Gasification B) Biofueling C) Neutralizing Carbon D) Co-firing
D
Compared to extracting metals from the earth, recycling metals: A) Creates infrastructure B) Boosts the economy C) Creates numerous jobs D) Reduces pollution
D
How is U-235 and Pu-239 used as fuels? A) Inside the reactor core U-238 is refined to U-235 through the bombardment of neutrons, which releases energy turning liquid water into high energy steam. B) Inside the reactor core U-235 and Pu-239 undergo radioactive decay, which releases a lot of energy. This energy turns liquid water into high energy steam. C) Both isotopes are burned in the core of a nuclear reactor and the steam generated is used to turn liquid water into high energy steam. D) Both isotopes are bombarded with neutrons causing them to split, which releases a lot of energy. This energy turns liquid water into high energy steam.
D
If an individual wanted to completely remove products created by and through the use of oil and natural gas from their life or benefit from them in any way, what are some things that would be different? A) The individual could only travel by the use of public transportation B) The individual should move to a country that is completely independent from oil and gas resources C) Not much would change in this person's life. D) The individual would not: own a phone or computer as they contain plastic, eat food produced using fertilizer, pesticides or machines, work in a building using oil or gas for heat or air conditioning nor would they use it to heat or cool their homes, use most cosmetics or even a plastic razor or toothbrush
D
Of the freshwater stored on earth, most is stored as: A) surface water B) ocean water C) ground water D) ice
D
Rocks are often classified by how they are formed. What are the three types of rocks found on Earth? A) Sedimentary, igneous, and metarocks B) Igneous, metamorphic, and granite C) Granite, sedimentary, and igneous D) Sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic
D
Select the set that contains the three major types of fossil fuels. A) Coal, firewood, and oil B) Firewood, coal, and natural gas C) Peat, coal, and oil D) Coal, oil, and natural gas
D
What is one reason a community may want mining, or extracting metal from the earth? A) Release of carbon dioxide B) Soil pollution C) Water pollution D) Raw metals are valuable
D
Which nuclide is present in a reactor's core that absorbs a neutron and decays into Np- 239, which decays into Pu-239? A) U-244 B) Pu-230 C) U-235 D) U-238
D
Which of the following is NOT an environmental factor that affects where human settlements are located? A) An absence of hurricanes, earthquakes and active volcanoes. B) The presence of valuable resources like gold, silver and oil. C) Moderate climates. The presence of water and fertile soil. D) The desire to be near other people.
D
Which of the following is NOT an example of a renewable resource? A) Fish B) Wind C) Water D) Coal
D
Which of the following is a pro of cementation? A) Can store iron B) Must sacrifice iron C) Release of carbon dioxide versus other toxic materials D) Can get copper from wastewater
D
Which of the following is true about fossil fuels? A) They are renewable resources. B) They are formed over the course of ten years. C) They are found within the top layers of the Earth's crust. D) They are the remains of once-living organisms.
D
Which term is best described as the responsible interaction with the environment to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources and allow for long-term environmental quality? A) Environmental justice B) Environmental stability C) Environmental ethics D) Environmental sustainability
D
Why is hydroelectric energy from water considered a renewable resource? A) It is impossible to use up all of the Earth's water B) The water regenerates as it passes through the dam C) New water cannot be created D) The water is not actually taken out of the system
D
How are fossil fuels made
Dead plants and animals sunk down into the ocean, settles, got layered with sediment, more layers increased pressure, over millions of years it become oil and natural gas
How is coal made
Dead trees and plant matter sink to swamp/bog, peat is formed and buried under sediment (increases pressure) and water gets squeezed out, after millions of years becomes coal
How does mining effect the surface
Disrupts landscapes, ruin drainage, vegetation, soil, and rocks
All of the following represent challenges to solar energy EXCEPT? A) The sun is an inconsistent energy source. B) Solar energy is difficult to store. C) Adequate sunshine is not available in all areas of the world. D) Solar cells are expensive to install and maintain. E) Solar energy produces greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.
E
What is the MOST reasonable explanation for why scientists continue to work on capturing solar energy to be converted to usable energy? A) Solar energy is natural and, therefore, cheaper than traditional utility. B) Solar energy is nonradient with particles that resist vibration, making it relatively easy to procure. C) Most life on earth already relies on solar energy indirectly, so it is a natural next step to start relying on solar energy directly. D) Solar energy is efficient, as none of the sun's energy is lost when solar cells are utilized. E) Solar energy is a renewable resource that cannot be depleted when used.
E
Biomass Energy
Energy derived from organic materials
How does fermentation of biomass produce E
Fermentation (breaking down of CHO using bacteria) of biomass liquids which converts into alcohol
Sedimentary
Formed by an accumulation of sediment that is deposited over time
Meyamorphic
Formed when existing rock changes due to heat, pressure, or some other physical force
Igneous
Formed when molten magma cools and solidifies
Which deep extraction method is the most efficient
Longwall mining
Soil
Mixture of decomposed organic matter and broken down rock and mineral
Rocks
Naturally formed aggregates of minerals or mineral like substances. They can have one type of mineral, several minerals, or no minerals
Minerals
Naturally occurring inorganic solids that have crystalline structure and definite chemical composition
Non-renewable resources
Not easily replenished by the environment
Biomass
Organic material including plants and animals
Pros/cons of solar E
Pros- Does not produce GHG Cons-Lots of E is lost through process, tech is expensive, sun goes down at night
What are the advantages of fossil fuels
Provide a large amount of concentrated E for a low cost. Oils can be transported easily through pipes
Surface Mining
Removing minerals that are near the earth's surface
Pros of biomass E
Renewable E Use of organic waste that would end of in landfills anyway Carbon neutral (amt released is removed from atm) Reduces dependence on imported oil
Renewable resources
Resources that are replenished by the environment over relatively short periods of time
What is strip mining
Same as surface mining but a narrow pit is made and the overburden is removed and dumped back into the pit when finished
What are the three types of rocks
Sedimentary, igneous, metamorphic
Disadvantages of fossil fuels
They have to be burned which releases CO2 and pollutants. Nonrenewable
Open pit minig
Used for very large ore deposits, a large open pit is created as machines scrape off any earth that is not ore and set up to the side
Subsurface mining
Used when minerals are deep underground
Gasification
When biomass is heated in a low oxygen environment, broken down and refined to produce fuel gas
Longwall mining
When coal is sheared from the wall and collection on a conveyor belt
Solution mining
When hot water is injected into the ore to dissolve it. Then air is pumped into it and it bubbled to the surface
Water
colorless, odorless, and tasteless which is comprised of hydrogen and oxygen
Ore
metal or valuable mineral
