Environmental Science | Ch. 16 Test
the ____ regulates the release of hazardous substances into the air, soil, and water by mining
Comprehensive Response Compensation and Liability Act
a mining method used for large ore deposits near the surface that are mined downward
open-pit mining
what is NOT a regulation mining companies must follow?
the Hazardous Products Act
the _____ sets standards to minimize the surface effects of coal mining on the environment
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977
two or more metals combined
alloy
A quarry also could be called
an open pit
gangue minerals
are minerals that have no commercial value
Evaporites most commonly form in
arid regions where rates of evaporation are high
funds posted by a mining company before mine operations can begin
bond
What must hot subsurface waters contain in order to be considered hydrothermal solutions?
dissolved minerals
what hot, subsurface waters must contain in order to be considered hydrothermal solutions
dissolved minerals
what is one property that may be used to distinguish metallic from nonmetallic minerals?
electrical conductivity
acid mine drainage
harms or kills aquatic life
a mining method used to recover gold from ancient riverbeds
hydraulic mining
concentration of metal present in an ore
iron ore
mineral type that often conducts electricity well
metallic
Through _____, mining companies can identify areas where there may be valuable mineral resources.
mineral exploration
a process used by mining companies to identify areas where there may be valuable mineral resources
mineral exploration
placer deposits are surface mineral deposits that have been concentrated by
movement of wind and water
What can contaminate a river during dredging?
muddy sediments
mineral type that may be translucent
nonmetallic
what is NOT a method of subsurface mining?
open pit mining
what are minerals that contain valuable substances?
ore minerals
Collapse of _____ can lead to subsidence
pillars in abandoned mines
required by SMCRA
reclamation
Reclamation is the process of
returning land to its original or better condition after mining
type of subsurface mining
room and pillar
The layer of impurities on top of molten metal that forms during smelting is called
slag
From whom must mining companies obtain permits before mining a site?
state and federal agencies
a water contaminant that can cause acid mine drainage
sulfuric acid
what is a water contaminant that can cause acid mine drainage?
sulfuric acid
A mining method used when shallow ore deposits are located close to Earth's surface
surface mining
surface mining can cause
both air and noise pollution
salts left behind after evaporation
evaporites
what is NOT one of the ways that ore minerals may form?
flooding of empty streambeds and rivers
A material that bonds with impurities and separates them from molten metal during smelting is called a(n) ____________________
flux
bonds with impurities
flux
lead-containing ore
galena
Dredging streambeds may be an effective technique for mining
gold
mineral with the highest per capita consumption in the United States
grade
what would NOT likely be mined using solution mining?
gypsum
protected by the Endangered Species Act
habitat
the first step in surface coal mining is
to remove and set aside the soil that covers the area to be mined
one of the most serious consequences of coal mining
underground mine fires
what is NOT a characteristic of a mineral?
usually an inorganic solid