MidYear Review

Natural resource - any natural material that is used by humans Renewable resource Nonrenewable resource Perpetual resource Resource depletion Tragedy of Commons

Pollution : Biodegradable Non-biodegradable Developed Country Developing Country Positive and Negative Impacts of Affluence

I=P x A x T Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology Ecological Footprint Sustainability

Cost-benefit analysis Risk assessment

Scientific Theory Scientific Law Hypothesis Scientific Method Formulating an Experiment

Deductive Reasoning: Starts with general statement/hypothesis and examine possibilities to reach logical conclusion Inductive Reasoning: (Opposite of Deductive Reasoning) Make broad generalizations from specific observations

Matter Elements Compounds Atomic Theory Subatomic particles Mass number Isotopes Ions pH Acids, bases

Inorganic Compounds Organic Compounds Cells Genes Chromosomes

Law of Conservation of Matter Kinetic & Potential Energy First Law of Thermodynamics Energy input always equals energy output Second Law of Thermodynamics Energy always goes from a more useful to a less useful form when it changes from one form to

Negative Feedback Loop Positive Feedback Loop Time Delays Tipping Point Synergistic Interaction (Synergy)

Conversions: 1 Hectare = 10,000 m^2  1 km^2 = 1,000,000 m^2  Earth’s Land area = 150,000,000 km^2  Earth’s Water Area = 361,800,000 km^2  Earth’s Total Area = 511,800,000 km^2 Metric Conversions: KHD (g/m/L) DCM

Three major concentric zones of the earth: Core Mantle Crust Lithosphere Asthenosphere Mesosphere Outer Core Inner Core

Plate Tectonics (Mantle Convection) Convergent Boundary Divergent Boundary Transform Boundary

Internal Geologic Processes Build up surface External Geologic Processes Weathering Erosion

Volcanoes Earthquakes Richter scale Insignificant: <4.0 Minor: 4.0–4.9 Damaging: 5.0–5.9 Destructive: 6.0–6.9 Major: 7.0–7.9 Great: >8.0 Foreshocks and Aftershocks

Tsunami

Mass Wasting Slow movement Fast Movement Earth’s Crust Sedimentary Metamorphic Igneous Rock Cycle

Mineral resource Fossil fuels Metallic minerals Nonmetallic minerals Ore High-grade ore Low-grade ore Ore extracted by mining Ore mineral Gangue Smelting

Surface mining Shallow deposits removed Open-pit mining Strip mining Contour mining Mountaintop removal Subsurface mining Deep deposits remove

Eco industrial Park

Soil Properties (texture) Soil Formation Physical Weathering Chemical Weathering Biological Weathering Soil Properties (texture) Soil Structure (How particles are organizes/clumped together) Clay Silt Sand

Friability Porosity Permeability Variability

Soil Horizons (properties of each) Soil horizons for different ecosystems

Water Cycle Evaporation Condensation Precipitation

Ocean Water Salinity Temperature zones Regulating global temperature

Surface Currents – wind Thermohaline Circulation Thermo = temperature Haline = salt Thermohaline circulation is density driven circulation

Freshwater Lakes, rivers, streams Most is found in icecaps and glaciers River Systems A network of streams that drains an area of land. Tributaries

Access to water is A global health issue An economic issue A women’s and children’s issue A national and global security issue Water haves and water have nots

Ground Water Zone of Saturation Water Table Aquifer Natural Recharge Lateral Recharge

Watershed (drainage) basin Reliable runoff Surface Water Surface runoff Watershed (drainage) basin Reliable runoff 1/3 of total (2/3 of the surface runoff: lost by seasonal floods) 1/3 runoff usable Domestic: 10% Agriculture: 70% Industrial use: 20%

Water Hotspots in 17 Western U.S. States

Long-term severe droughts increasing Extended period of below-normal rainfall Diminished groundwater

Groundwater Over pumping Limits future food production Bigger gap between the rich and the poor Land subsidence Sinkholes Groundwater overdrafts near coastal regions

Provides irrigation water above and below dam Flooded land destroys forests or cropland and displaces people Large losses of water through evaporation Provides water for drinking Deprives downstream cropland and estuaries of nutrient-rich silt Reservoir useful for recreation and fishing Risk of failure and devastating downstream flooding Can produce cheap electricity (hydropower) Reduces down-stream flooding of cities and farms Disrupts migration and spawning of some fish

Dams interrupt Hydrologic Cycle Colorado River Case Study Yangtze River Case Study Desalination (Desalinization) Distillation Reverse osmosis, microfiltration Water conservation Improves irrigation efficiency Improves collection efficiency Uses less in homes and businesses

Water transferred by Tunnels Aqueducts Underground pipes May cause environmental problems California Water Project

(efficiency 60% and 80% with surge valves) Center pivot (efficiency 80% with low-pressure sprinkler and 90–95% with LEPA sprinkler) Water usually pumped from underground and sprayed from mobile boom with sprinklers. Drip irrigation (efficiency 90–95%) Above- or below-ground pipes or tubes deliver water to individual plant roots. Gravity flow (efficiency 60% and 80% with surge valves) Water usually comes from an aqueduct system or a nearby river. Stepped Art Fig. 13-18, p. 335

Three BIG ideas One of the world’s major environmental problems is the growing shortage of freshwater in many parts of the world. We can increase water supplies in water-short areas in a number of ways, but the most important way is to reduce overall water use and waste by using water more sustainably. We can use water more sustainably by cutting water waste, raising water prices, slowing population growth, and protecting aquifers, forests, and other ecosystems that store and release water.