Unit 2: Resources and Their Impact
Natural gas is considered the most efficient and cleanest fossil fuel. As it rises in popularity and use, what are some of the future consequences we expect to see?
- habitat destruction and loss of life due to fracking earthquakes - habitat destruction in order to build pipelines - water and air pollution due to emissions and waste
What are some of the environmental consequences of using solar power?
- habitat destruction due to solar power plants - habitat destruction due to mining of rare earth minerals for batteries
Historically, many towns and cities were built near rivers. What necessities do rivers provide that are so vital as to make them influence human activity?
- hydropower for water-powered mills to grind food - freshwater supply for drinking and washing - transportation of goods and people
What are the benefits of nonrenewable resources like rare earth minerals and coal?
- inexpensive to mine - variety of uses like technology and energy - high market value
Which forms of energy do humans use to power many of their everyday devices, and their own bodies?
- thermal - chemical - electrical
Which natural resources can potentially be overused, thus limiting availability?
- umber - minerals - water
To reduce economic costs and environmental effects when developing solar energy, what are some strategies that can be used?
Install solar panels in places that do not cause habitat destruction, such as on rooftops and transportation vehicles.
As coal reserves are depleted, what is the likely outcome with regard to the environment?
NOT = habitat restoration as other resources are harvested and invested in
3. What do nuclear energy and petroleum have in common?
NOT Both are used at high rates and are very costly to produce.
Coal and oil are examples of nonrenewable energy because they cannot be replenished in a relatively quick period of time.
true
What is true about energy?
- Energy cannot be destroyed. - Energy cannot be created; it is transformed.
4. Where does uranium, the main source of nuclear power, come from?
Uranium is produced by mining deposits of this mineral found in Earth's crust.
2. Which describes renewable energy?
a resource that can be replenished by natural processes in a reasonably short period of time
Wastewater can be reused for conservation purposes. How is wastewater reused?
agricultural irrigation
Humans use water directly and indirectly. Which is an indirect use of water by people?
agriculture
Match each energy form with the correct example.
chemical = coal combustion electrical = static shock nuclear = atomic fission sound = horn blowing light = sunlight
Unit 2 Session
code: quiz1
20. When building towns and cities, sources of energy may not always be readily available. What are some of the ways energy can be sourced in these instances?
- Build structures like dams to generate hydroelectric power. - Pipe in oil or natural gas. - Transport coal and lumber via train or truck.
To reduce economic costs and environmental effects when developing hydroelectric energy, what are some strategies that can be used?
- Choose a site where the river narrows and there is a natural reservoir further upstream. - Ensure that raw materials for construction are available close by. - Make sure to not divert hydrological flow.
What do coal, oil, and natural gas have in common with regard to their production?
- Heat and pressure transform them into their current form. - They are formed from fossilized remains of animals and plants.
How have oceanic conditions influenced human behavior?
- High and low tide influence where structures are built. - Food availability leads to fishing villages and major ports along the coastline.
23. How is human activity influenced by hydrologic conditions?
- Homes have personal filtration systems installed to refine drinking water. - Cities build water treatment plants to create potable water.
A company is considering investing in several resources for energy production. Which correctly lists a cost or benefit that should be considered for an energy resource?
- Hydroelectric energy has the benefit that it does not rely on non-renewable resources to operate. - Wind energy has a disadvantage in that it needs rare earth metals that are very environmentally damaging to obtain.
Which statements regarding the production of lumber and its reliance on other natural resources is correct?
- Lumber relies upon water. - Lumber relies upon solar energy. - Lumber relies upon soil.
16. There is often a monetary and environmental cost associated with gathering lumber. Which is true about the harvesting of lumber from a forest?
- Modern machinery can quickly harvest large quantities, making it cost efficient. - Proper planning can create sustainable and useful habitats for wildlife.
All along the East Coast, in places like New York City and Miami, wetlands were drained to create farmland. Eventually, those lands were converted into cities. How did these hydrologic conditions influence human behavior?
- People chose wetlands because the fertile soil would be good for crops. - Settlements were built in locations with easy access to rivers and the ocean.
As nonrenewable resources are depleted, what trends will likely be observed regarding the use of alternative resources?
- Renewable alternatives that are easy to access will be used at greater rates. - Cheap nonrenewable alternatives will be used at greater rates.
24. When volcanoes erupt, they can often have far-reaching effects. What might be some impacts of these natural disasters?
- Roads are destroyed by lava flows and falling rocks. - Buildings burn due to hot lava. - Health hazards occur due to poor air quality.
What long-term effects do wildfires have on dry forest environments?
- Soil fertility can increase after low-intensity fires due to nutrients becoming more available. - Certain tree species evolve to become dependent on heat and fire in order to germinate.
15. Lumber is an important resource for energy and construction. How do other natural resources impact the ability of lumber to be a productive resource?
- Water is necessary for trees to perform photosynthesis. - Solar energy is necessary for trees to produce their own food.
Which energy sources are nonrenewable?
- coal - oil
What are some costs associated with nonrenewable resources?
- cost of environmental remediation after accidents - loss of ecological value due to habitat destruction - long-term health costs associated with pollution
12. Which is a source of freshwater?
- river - lake - stream
14. Which are water conservation methods?
- xeriscaping - rainwater collection - drip irrigation - restrictive watering
22. Architects and construction companies must consider climate and atmosphere. Humans alter their activities to accommodate these conditions. Match the human activity to the relevant atmospheric condition.
Construction of foundations and outer structures is restricted to certain months, while interiors can be completed year-round. = long harsh winters Construction is limited to the cool, dry months so materials are not damaged. = tropical summer storms Construction materials are clay-based rather than lumber-based, due to certain materials being available in limited amounts or not at all. = dry desert Construction occurs during early morning and late evening hours for the sake of safety and human health. = droughts
25. What long-term detrimental effects do hurricanes have on the coastal environment?
Destruction of biodiverse mangroves and coral reefs occurs.
19. What are some benefits of nonrenewable resources?
NOT - There is an abundant supply. - They are easy to extract and transport. NOT - They are made in a growing industry with many jobs available.
13. Humans use water directly and indirectly. Which is a direct use of water by people?
domestic use
Which is the best method of conserving water for agriculture in a dry environment?
drip irrigation
Which describes nonrenewable energy?
energy resource that cannot be replenished by natural processes in a reasonable period of time
Oceans are a source of freshwater
false
Solar energy is an example of renewable energy because it is limited.
false
Volcanic eruptions deplete oxygen levels in the ocean.
false
Which resource is renewable and must come from outside a city?
lumber
Which type of fossil fuel is the most environmentally beneficial and why?
natural gas, because it is the most efficient and produces the fewest emissions
11. Match each conservation technique for renewable resources with its appropriate definition.
recycle = converting the waste repair = fixing a broken resource reuse = using a resource more than one time repurpose = upcycling reduce = cutting consumption restore = cleaning or upgrading
Which resource is renewable?
solar energy
What is a large cost associated with solar energy?
the use of batteries to store energy
Hurricanes reshape coastal landscapes.
true
Wastewater use for agricultural is an example of water conservation.
true
What does the word conservation mean?
All of the above
1. According to the law of conservation of energy, what happens to energy when a pot of water is heated until it boils on an electric stove?
Energy is transformed from one type to another in order to heat the water in the pot.
5. Which statement best describes how rate of use and renewal of a natural resource limits its availability?
Trees take several decades to mature. They are frequently used for construction, heating, and cooking. Replanting must occur at high rates in order to continue using lumber.
A nonrenewable recourse is a natural resource that cannot be re-made or re-grown at a scale comparable to its consumption.
True
Washing dishes, laundry, and one's body are examples of direct uses of water.
true
What is an industrial use for water?
paper production
When describing renewable energy, which descriptors are correct?
replenishes quickly
Which describes nonrenewable energy resources?
resources that cannot be replenished by natural processes in a reasonable period of time
What are some of the environmental consequences of using dams for hydroelectric power?
- habitat destruction when building new dams - disruption of water flow - decrease in water quality
17. What are some of the costs of human activities such as farming, mining, and deforestation?
- increased air pollution - habitat destruction
As minerals are depleted for technological use, what outcome might occur?
- invention of new synthetic materials to replace the natural resource supply - increase in recycling of precious metals for other technological purposes
The Industrial Revolution resulted in a surge in coal use to power the numerous factories being built and run. What are some of the past consequences of this increase in use?
- more water pollution - worsened air quality - habitat destruction due to strip mining
Which options are nonrenewable energy resources that come from outside an ecosystem?
- oil - coal
Which techniques help keep lumber available as a resource?
- only harvesting large, older timber, leaving saplings to grow - replanting trees - use of synthetic and alternative materials like vinyl, bamboo, and clay
10. What are some effects that may occur as nonrenewable resources are depleted?
.17 of 1 - Prices are more likely to increase for energy sources. NOT - Fossil fuels are more likely to be invested in, leading to more efficient extraction.
8. Which of these are nonrenewable energy resources that come from outside an ecosystem?
.33 of 1 - petroleum NOT - coal
21. What are ways that an earthquake can affect human activity along the coast?
.67 of 1 - Destruction of buildings leads to frequent rebuilding. - There is development and use of earthquake-proof materials for safer buildings.
18. What are some of the costs associated with using solar energy?
.67 of 1 - limited availability of rare earth minerals - reliance on large battery capacity
7. Consider a typical house as a system. It gets its water from the city purification plant and electricity from a coal-burning power plant. Which of the following are renewable resources that come from outside of the house system?
.75 of 1 - food for eating NOT - wood for furniture - water for drinking
9. What is the consequence of using natural resources at a rate that is higher than the rate of renewal?
Resources become limited and less available for use.
6. Match each past environmental consequence to the nonrenewable energy source that caused it.
water pollution due to spills = petroleum earthquakes = natural gas habitat destruction = coal radiation poisoning = nuclear power
A consequence of using dams for energy is habitat destruction.
true
Harvesting of natural gas can lead to earthquakes.
true
Which processes of wastewater treatment are physical methods?
- filtration - UV light disinfection
What are the economic and ecological benefits of trees in an ecosystem, aside from their commercial use for lumber and energy?
- habitats for wildlife - natural carbon sequestration - improved water quality via erosion control and filtration
What are some of the environmental and economic costs associated with using wind energy?
- loss of life of flying organisms and destruction of local habitat - production and disposal of turbines - reliance on large battery storage
Which of these are sources of freshwater?
- surface flow - groundwater
What are some of the potential future consequences of the use of nuclear power?
- water and soil pollution due to accidents - habitat destruction due to mining of uranium - pollution due to improper waste disposal
Which correctly describes a renewable resource and how to conserve it so that the resource can be sustained?
- water; xeriscaping is a method to reduce water use and conserve this resource - lumber; trees are continuously planted so there are always reserves
What should be considered in a cost-benefit analysis when determining whether to harvest lumber in a forest?
.- economic value of a rare species of plant onsite - community benefits like jobs and construction supplies -profit from timber production
Which resource is nonrenewable and always accessed outside of the ecosystem?
.75 of 1 - natural gas - minerals - coal
What is true when comparing the use of coal and hydroelectric energy regarding their rate of renewal?
Both are continually produced, but the rate at which they are renewed differs greatly.
What do coal and solar energy have in common?
Both rely on mining for the energy they supply to be extracted or used.
As nonrenewable resources are depleted, what trends will be observed regarding the prices of those resources?
Prices will increase until they inevitably collapse, as a new resource will have to be invested in and used.
Chemical energy stored in batteries are commonly used to power large household appliances.
false
Construction is limited to midday in very hot environments.
false
Earthquake prone areas have buildings made of clay to withstand the intense heat.
false
Filtration is the last step to treating water.
false
Food is a renewable resource that always comes from outside of the local ecosystem.
false
Humans build cities away from water to improve crop growth and yield.
false
Infrequent, high-intensity wildfires increase soil fertility.
false
Intense hurricanes preserve coral reefs and protect fish.
false
Lumber sequesters carbon but is a nonrenewable resource
false
Match each natural resource with the correct means of production.
solar energy = the sun gives off heat and light freshwater = precipitation congregates lumber = forests are harvested food = plants and animals are harvested
Put the steps of drinking water treatment in the correct order.
step 1 = screening and straining step 2 = coagulation and flocculation step 3 = sedimentation step 4 = filtration step 5 = discinfection
Construction of building foundations and outer walls are restricted to a few months out of the year in places with long, intense winters.
true
Increasing sea levels due to climate change must be considered when building homes near the coast.
true
Lumber is a sustainable resource as long as it is used at a slower rate than it grows
true
Mineral availability can become limited when it is overused.
true
Precipitation can be collected as a source of freshwater.
true
Some tree species are dependent on fires to germinate.
true
When considering a patch of forest for harvesting lumber, both jobs and species present are weighted.
true
Xeriscape is a way to landscape using 7 water conserving principles.
true
All freshwater drains from one shared area into a common outlet like a river or lake. What is this area of land called?
watershed
