Nonrenewable Resources
Nonrenewable resources are natural resources that cannot be replenished in a short period once they are consumed; they exist in finite amounts. Examples include:
- Fossil Fuels: Oil, coal, and natural gas.
- Minerals: Gold, silver, and copper.
Renewable Resources
Renewable resources are resources that can be replenished naturally over time, making them sustainable in the long term when managed correctly. Examples include:
- Solar Energy: Captured from sunlight.
- Wind Energy: Generated from wind currents.
- Hydropower: Produced from flowing water.
- Biomass: Organic materials that can be replenished through natural processes.
Sustainable Resource
A sustainable resource is one that can be maintained at a certain level over the long term without significantly harming the environment. Examples include:
- Sustainable Forestry: Harvesting trees at a rate that ensures future growth.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Farming practices that maintain soil health and biodiversity.
Making a Nonrenewable Resource Sustainable
It is generally not possible to make a nonrenewable resource sustainable because these resources exist in finite quantities and can take millions of years to form. However, efforts can be made to use them more efficiently and minimize environmental impact (e.g., carbon capture technology in fossil fuel use), but the resource itself will eventually deplete. Strategies such as recycling and transitioning to renewable resources can help mitigate reliance on nonrenewable resources.
Lesson 3: Rocks and Minerals
Why are rocks considered a natural resource?
Rocks are considered natural resources because they contain valuable minerals and provide raw materials for various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and technology.
What is a mineral?
A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure.
What is a mineral resource? Provide an example.
A mineral resource is a concentration of minerals of economic interest. An example is bauxite, which is an ore of aluminum.
What is an ore? Provide an example.
An ore is a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted profitably. An example is iron ore.
Is every mineral an ore?
No, not every mineral is an ore. Only those minerals that are economically viable for extraction are considered ores.
Lesson 4: Fossil Fuels
What are fossil fuels? Provide examples.
Fossil fuels are natural fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. Examples include coal, oil (petroleum), and natural gas.
Are fossil fuels renewable or nonrenewable? Why?
Fossil fuels are considered nonrenewable because they take millions of years to form and cannot be replenished on a human timescale once extracted.
What is the link between living things that died long ago and fossil fuels?
Fossil fuels formed from the organic remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago, which were subjected to heat and pressure over geologic time.
What is crude oil? Where is it found? What are some products produced by refining crude oil?
Crude oil is a liquid fossil fuel extracted from underground reservoirs. It's refined into various products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and plastics.
What is the source of the carbon that is burned in fossil fuels?
The source of the carbon in fossil fuels is organic matter from ancient plants and animals that were buried and subjected to heat and pressure over time.
Is coal renewable or nonrenewable? Explain your thinking.
Coal is nonrenewable because it forms over millions of years from accumulated plant material subjected to heat and pressure; it cannot be replenished on a human timescale.
What is coal primarily used for?
Coal is primarily used for electricity generation and as a fuel for industrial processes, such as steel manufacturing.
Lesson 5: Energy Exploration
Where does it all come from?
The vast majority of the United States' petroleum and fossil fuel needs are met through both domestic and imported sources, including oil from various global deposits.
How do we know where to find crude oil and natural gas deposits?
Geologists use seismic surveys, magnetic surveys, and other geological research methods to identify potential fossil fuel reserves.
What are oil platforms and how do they work?
Oil platforms are large structures used to extract oil and gas from underwater deposits. They can be anchored to the seabed and house drilling equipment and living quarters for workers.
What is one potential issue/concern about drilling for crude oil?
One major concern is the environmental impact, including oil spills, habitat destruction, and water contamination.
What is fracking?
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a method of extracting natural gas and oil from deep underground by injecting high-pressure fluid into rock formations to create fractures.
What is one potential issue/concern with fracking?
Fracking can lead to water contamination, increased seismic activity, and has been associated with environmental degradation and health risks.
What is Bitumen, where is it found and how is it used?
Bitumen is a thick, sticky form of crude oil found in tar sands. It is used in road construction, roofing, and can be processed into synthetic crude oil.
Where do we find coal and how do we obtain this resource?
Coal is found underground in seams, primarily in sedimentary rock formations. It is obtained through surface mining, underground mining, or mountaintop removal methods.
How does a nuclear power plant produce energy?
A nuclear power plant produces energy through nuclear fission, where the nuclei of uranium atoms are split, releasing a large amount of heat used to generate steam that drives turbines to produce electricity.
Lesson 6: Using Energy Resources
What causes acid precipitation (rain)?
Acid precipitation is caused by the release of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere, which react with water vapor to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
What does combustion mean?
Combustion is the chemical process of burning a substance in the presence of oxygen, resulting in the release of heat and light.
What does “acid” or “acidic” mean?
“Acid” refers to a substance with a pH less than 7, which can donate protons (H+) in a solution and has corrosive properties.
Why is the production of acid rain a concern?
Acid rain is a concern because it can damage ecosystems, soil, freshwater resources, and man-made structures, leading to long-term environmental degradation.
Identify at least two concerns with using nuclear power.
- Risk of nuclear accidents (e.g., meltdowns, radiation release).
- Long-term management of radioactive waste, which remains hazardous for thousands of years.
Is nuclear renewable or nonrenewable?
Nuclear energy is generally considered nonrenewable because it relies on finite uranium and thorium resources. However, it is low-carbon and does not produce greenhouse gases during operation.
Lesson 7: Land and Soil Resources
What is soil?
Soil is a natural resource composed of minerals, organic matter, air, and water that supports plant life and contains a multitude of living organisms.
What is hummus?
Hummus is often interpreted as "humus," which refers to organic matter that is formed when plant and animal matter decomposes, facilitating nutrient retention in the soil.
Soil layers (Horizon descriptions):
- Layer O: Organic matter; important for nutrient recycling and habitat for organisms.
- Layer A: Topsoil; enriched with minerals and organic material, critical for plant growth.
- Layer C: Parent material, the weathered rock that gives rise to the soil; provides minerals.
- Layer R: Bedrock, the solid rock layer beneath all soil layers; essential for the formation of soil over geological time.
Why/how is soil an important resource?
Soil is vital for agriculture as it supports plant growth, stores water, and houses nutrients and organic matter essential for life.
Soil is basically a nonrenewable natural resource because…
Soil can be degraded faster than it can form due to erosion, pollution, and unsustainable agricultural practices, making it a finite resource.
Lesson 8: Conservation
What does “conservation” mean?
Conservation refers to the responsible management and protection of natural resources to ensure their sustainability for future generations.
Why should we be focused on the conservation of metals?
The conservation of metals is crucial because they are finite resources, and mining them can cause significant environmental impacts and depletion of natural habitats.
Conservation of resources includes several things. They include:
- Reducing consumption.
- Recycling materials.
- Using alternative resources.
What does it mean to use a resource more efficiently?
Using a resource more efficiently means maximizing its utility while minimizing waste and environmental impact.
How can recycling help with the conservation of resources? According to the text, how effective is recycling?
Recycling helps conserve resources by reprocessing materials for reuse, reducing the need for new raw materials, and minimizing waste. It is effective; for example, recycling aluminum saves over 90% of the energy required to produce new aluminum.
Explain the Clean Air Act. What was/is the goal?
The Clean Air Act is a U.S. federal law aimed at controlling air pollution and protecting air quality to ensure healthier environments for people and ecosystems.
Explain the Clean Water Act. What was/is the goal?
The Clean Water Act aims to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation's waters by preventing point and nonpoint source pollution to protect aquatic ecosystems and human health.
Lesson 9: Resource Processing
What are deposits?
Deposits are concentrations of natural resources or minerals located underground that can be economically extracted.
What are some examples of minerals found underground?
Examples include gold, silver, copper, lead, iron ore, and various gemstones.
What technology allows engineers to penetrate rock at multiple angles?
Directional drilling technology allows engineers to drill horizontally or at various angles to access mineral resources more effectively and reduce surface impact.
What two factors determine the type of drill needed?
- The geological conditions of the site.
- The type and depth of the resource being extracted.
Why might using technology for drilling be an important part of the mining process?
Using advanced drilling technology can increase efficiency, reduce environmental disturbances, and enhance safety during extraction operations.
Three main ways to mine mineral resources from Earth:
- Surface mining: Involves removing soil and rock covering mineral deposits; commonly used for coal and minerals located near the earth's surface.
- Underground mining: Involves creating tunnels or shafts to access deeper mineral deposits; used when minerals are too deep for surface mining.
- Placer mining: Involves extracting minerals from sediment in riverbeds or streambeds, where they have settled; often used for gold and gemstones.