Erosion/Mining Practice Test

The movement of weathered materials (sediment) from one location to another Erosion

When eroded materials are dropped off in their new location Deposition

When running water cuts a small channel in to land Rill/Rill Erosion

When a rill becomes larger and wider Gully

What is gravity’s role in erosion? The force of gravity forces the downhill movement of materials and running water that can erode materials

A build up of sediment at the mouth of a river Delta

3 factors that contribute to wind erosion 1. hot climate 2. dry/arid climate 3. little vegetation

How can wind erosion be reduce 1. planting wind barriers 2. lots of vegetation 3. sufficient moisture

A rock that had been shaped by windblown sediments ventifact

Downslope movement of large masses of weathered materials and soil Mass movement

The downslope movement of snow avalanche

3 things that can prevent mass movements Don’t build on slopes Don’t build on wet areas Retaining walls at bases of slopes/ Steel nets to control landslides Trenches to divert water

Explain how deforestation contributes to global warming Tree absorb CO2 through photosynthesis Deforestation results in less trees to absorb CO2 Meaning there is more CO2 present in the atmosphere which acts as a greenhouse gas to increase the global temperature

A method of tree harvesting that involves removing ALL trees in a area Clear cutting

List the environmental impacts of clear cutting Increased soil erosion Loss of habitat Loss of species Runoff Reduced water quality Reduced nutrients (in soil)

A method of tree harvesting that involves removing a limited number of mature trees Selective cutting

Pros and Cons of Selective Cutting Pros: reduces soil erosion, reduces habitat destruction, less trees are removed Cons: More costly, requires more time

A method of tree harvesting that removes 40 – 60% of trees Shelterwood cutting

Pros and Cons of Shelterwood Cutting Pros: reduces soil erosion, land is constantly vegetated, increased regeneration/best chance of regrowth Cons: very expensive, more labor involved in regeneration, not as much nutrient in soil, takes more time

Why are fossil fuels non renewable? They take thousands of years to be formed They are formed from the remains of ancient organisms (plants, animals, other living things) They will not be replenished in our lifetime

What makes a natural resource renewable? They can continually be replaced after they are used Examples: solar, wind, water, plant resources

What is the impact of land due to coal mining? Land disturbance (landscapes are destroyed, ripped about and sink) Unable to completely restore land to its prior state Lots of pollution due to chemicals, dust, CO2 in mining process

What is the impact of coal mining on water? Water is contaminated, and can become acidic

How can the impact on water due to coal mining be reduced? Treating stream beds with limestone to increase pH (make it less acidic) Filtering water used and reuse it in the mining process

What kind of fossil fuel is harvested in the fracking process? Natural Gas

How is water used in the fracking process? Water is mixed with other chemicals and forced down the pipes The mixture of water and chemicals keeps the cracks/fractures in the rock/shale open so that natural gas can escape and be collected.

How can the water that is used for fracking contaminate the water supply? Inadequate water management: treatment plans/plants are not equipped to efficiently “clean”/treat contaminated fracking fluid Surface spills: fracking fluid can spill over onto the surface and contaminate the ground water used by residents Methane migration: the natural gas in the rock and can leak out and enter the ground water used by residents

Which country uses the most oil? United States

Does the united states produce the most oil? No

Why does the United States use the most oil even though it produces the least? The United States is one of the most developed nations This means most of our population has access to energy for cars, homes, etc.