Enviromental Science - Chapter 11 Questions
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Florida SouthWestern State College, Fort Myers *
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1001C
Subject
Geology
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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2
Uploaded by BailiffRock12441
Chapter 11
Name the primary layers that make up our planet. Which portions does the lithosphere
include?
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The primary layers are the core, the mantle, and the crust. The lithosphere includes
the uppermost part of the mantle and all of the crust.
Describe what occurs at a divergent plate boundary. What happens at a transform plate
boundary? Compare and contrast the types of processes that can occur at a convergent
plate boundary.
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At divergent plate boundaries the tectonic plates push away from one another as
magma rises from up. Furthermore, at transform plate boundaries the plates grind
against each other creating friction that causes earthquakes. Following, at convergent
plate boundaries the plates come together and can cause two different things to occur
subduction and continental collision. In subduction is when a denser crust slides under
a lighter crust and can result in volcanoes or deep trenches. On the other hand
continental collision is when the plates resist subduction and instead crush together
and deform. This can result in mountain ranges being created.
Name the three main types of rocks, and describe how each type may be converted to the
others via the rock cycle.
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The three types of rocks include igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous and
metamorphic rocks can become sedimentary rocks through the process of weathering,
erosion, deposition, transport, and lithification. Following metamorphic rocks can
become igneous through melting, cooling, and crystallization. Igneous rocks can
become metamorphic once again through heating and pressure. Lastly sedimentary
rocks become metamorphic through heating and pressure and then become igneous by
heating and cooling.
Explain the processes that produce earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and mass wasting.
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Earthquakes occur when built up pressure at fault lines relieve pressure and result in
the shaking of the surface. Volcanoes are created when molten rock, gas, or ash erupts
out of the earth's surface. Mass wasting occurs when soil and rock move downslope due
to gravity.
Define each of the following: (1) mineral, (2) metal, (3) ore, (4) alloy. Compare and
contrast the terms.
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Minerals are naturally occurring elements or compounds that have a crystal structure,
a specific chemical structure, and distinct physical properties. Ores are a grouping of
minerals from which we extract metals. Following, metals are a type of chemical
element that is usually lustrous, opaque, malleable, and can conduct heat and
electricity. Lastly alloys are substances that are created by mixing or melting metal
with other metal or non metal substances.
A mining geologist locates a horizontal seam of coal very near the surface of the land.
What type of mining method will the mining company likely use to extract it? What is one
common environmental impact of this type of mining?
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The mining company is likely to use strip mining since the seam of coal is horizontal
and near the surface. One common environmental impact of strip mining is that it
obliterates natural communities and increases erosion after the soil is refilled.
How does strip mining differ from subsurface mining? How does each of these approaches
differ from open pit mining?
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Strip mining is different from subsurface mining because it involves mining for a
resource closer to the surface while subsurface mining involves mining the resources
found deeper underground. Lastly unlike both of the ones mentioned above open pit
mining involves making one giant hole to get to the resource needed.
What is acid drainage, and where does it come from in a mining context? Why can such
drainage be toxic to fish?
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Acid drainage occurs when sulfide minerals from exposed rock surfaces react with
oxygen and rainwater to produce sulfuric acid. This happens due to mining since rocks
are constantly being mined and exposed to air and water. The drainage can be
extremely harmful to fish because it can runoff into waterways and pollute nearby
water.
List five factors that can influence how long global supplies of a given mineral will last,
and explain how each might increase or decrease the time span the mineral will be
available to us.
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Five factors that can influence how long global supplies of minerals will last are the
discovery of new reserves which increase the number of years that a resource is
available, new extraction technologies which will increase the amount and rate at
which minerals are mined therefore decreasing how long its available, changing social
and technological dynamics which cause demand for certain mineral to either increase
or decrease, changing of consumption patterns which change the rate at which
minerals are consumed therefore altering the speed at which minerals are exploited,
and lastly recycling which involves recycling minerals that help increase the time span
that the minerals are available.
Summarize the major factors that influence our estimates of reserves of valuable minerals
and metals.
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The most major factor that influences our estimate of reserves is recycling. Most of
the metals currently in the U.S are recycled. For example, 73% of the lead we use
comes from recycled materials like car batteries.
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