Prentice Hall EARTH SCIENCE Tarbuck Lutgens 

Chapter 4 Earth’s Resources

4.1 Energy and Mineral Resources Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources 4.1 Energy and Mineral Resources  Renewable resources can be replenished over fairly short spans of time, such as months, years, or decades.  Nonrenewable resources take millions of years to form and accumulate.

4.1 Energy and Mineral Resources Fossil Fuels 4.1 Energy and Mineral Resources  Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons that may be used as fuel, including coal, oil, and natural gas.

Anticlines Are Common Oil Traps Deep underground, anticlines are highly desired by petroleum prospectors. The rock beds trap rising hydrocarbon fluids, allowing oil and gas to build up in the pore space of the anticline rocks. The largest oilfields occur in large, gentle anticlines in thick sedimentary rock sequences.

4.1 Energy and Mineral Resources Tar Sands and Oil Shale 4.1 Energy and Mineral Resources  Fuels derived from tar sand and oils shales could become good substitutes for dwindling petroleum supplies.

4.1 Energy and Mineral Resources Formation of Mineral Deposits 4.1 Energy and Mineral Resources  Some of the most important mineral deposits form through igneous processes and from hydrothermal solutions. Ore is a useful metallic mineral that can be mined at a profit.

Mineral-Rich Hot Water Seeps into Rock Fractures

4.1 Energy and Mineral Resources Nonmetallic Mineral Resources 4.1 Energy and Mineral Resources  Nonmetallic mineral resources are extracted and processed either for the nonmetallic elements they contain or for their physical and chemical properties.

Uses of Nonmetallic Minerals

4.2 Alternate Energy Sources Solar Energy 4.2 Alternate Energy Sources  Solar energy has two advantages: 1. Solar energy’s “fuel” is free. 2. Solar energy is non-polluting.

4.2 Alternate Energy Sources Nuclear Energy 4.2 Alternate Energy Sources  In nuclear fission, the nuclei of heavy atoms such as uranium-235 are bombarded with neutrons.  The uranium nuclei split into smaller nuclei and emit neutrons and heat energy.

Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant

4.2 Alternate Energy Sources Wind Energy 4.2 Alternate Energy Sources  In the next 50 to 60 years, wind power could meet between 5 to 10 percent of the country’s demand for electricity.

Wind Turbines

4.2 Alternate Energy Sources Hydroelectric Power 4.2 Alternate Energy Sources  Hydroelectric power is the power generated by falling water.  The water held in a reservoir behind a dam is a form of stored energy that can be released through the dam to produce electric power.  The strong water flow that results drives turbines and electric generators.

Glen Canyon Dam

4.2 Alternate Energy Sources Geothermal Energy 4.2 Alternate Energy Sources  Geothermal energy is harnessed by tapping natural underground reservoirs of steam and hot water.  Hot water is used directly for heating and to turn turbines that generate electric power.

The Geysers Is the World’s Largest Electrical Geothermal Facility

4.2 Alternate Energy Sources Tidal Power 4.2 Alternate Energy Sources  Tidal power is harnessed by constructing a dam across the mouth of a bay or an estuary in coastal areas.  The strong in-and-out flow of tidal water drives turbines and electric generators.

Tidal Dams

4.3 Water, Air, and Land Resources The Water Planet 4.3 Water, Air, and Land Resources  Each day, people use fresh water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and growing food.

4.3 Water, Air, and Land Resources The Water Planet 4.3 Water, Air, and Land Resources  Freshwater Pollution Point source pollution comes from a known and specific location, such as factory pipes.

4.3 Water, Air, and Land Resources The Water Planet 4.3 Water, Air, and Land Resources  Freshwater Pollution Nonpoint source pollution is pollution that does not have a specific point of origin.

4.3 Water, Air, and Land Resources The Water Planet 4.3 Water, Air, and Land Resources  Freshwater Pollution Runoff is the water that flows over the land rather than seeping into the ground, often carrying nonpoint source pollution.

Major Types of Water Pollution

4.3 Water, Air, and Land Resources Earth’s Blanket of Air 4.3 Water, Air, and Land Resources  The chemical composition of the atmosphere helps maintain life on Earth.  Pollution in the Air The increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has altered the carbon cycle and contributed to global warming(Climate Change)—the unnatural warming of the lower atmosphere. Through a series of chemical reactions, these pollutants in the air are converted into acids that are a major cause of acid precipitation.

Major Primary Pollutants and Their Sources

4.3 Water, Air, and Land Resources  Earth’s land provides soil and forests, as well as mineral and energy resources  Damage to Land Resources Mines produce many mineral resources, but mines are destroying soil, vegetation, and Earth’s contours. Mines also cause soil erosion and pollution that contaminates soil and water and destroys ecosystems. Poor agricultural practices also destroys soil.

Surface Mining Destroys Earth’s Surface

4.4 Protecting Resources Keeping Water Clean and Safe  Conservation is the careful use of resources.  Pollution prevention means stopping pollution from entering the environment.

4.4 Protecting Resources Keeping Water Clean and Safe Two massive oil spills into Minnesota rivers devastated fish and wildlife in the early 1960s.  At the time, no laws required that spills be reported or cleaned up. These rivers are the beginning water for the Mississippi River where we get our drinking water.

4.4 Protecting Resources Keeping Water Clean and Safe By the early 1970s, such catastrophes were becoming common. In Ohio, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland was so polluted that it caught fire – for the tenth time. Time Magazine reported that Lake Erie was dying from all the waste dumped into it. The government banned eating any fish from Lake Erie because of high mercury levels. St. Louis took its drinking water from the muddy Missouri River because the Mississippi was far worse.

4.4 Protecting Resources Keeping Water Clean and Safe  Starting in the 1970’s, the federal government passed several laws to prevent or decrease pollution and protect resources. In 1972, the Clean Water Act (CWA) required industries to reduce or eliminate point source pollution into surface waters. This led to modern day sewage plants to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into lakes, streams or rivers. Cleveland River no longer burns and just in the last few years Lake Erie was reopened to fishing.

4.4 Protecting Resources Keeping Water Clean and Safe  Starting in the 1970’s, the federal government passed several laws to prevent or decrease pollution and protect resources. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 helped protect drinking resources. This set maximum contaminate levels for many pollutants that can harm the health of the people. Requires water companies to continuously test and monitor water quality levels.

Preventing Water Pollution

4.4 Protecting Resources Protecting the Air  In the 1970’s, Congress passed the Clean Air Act, the nation’s most important air pollution law. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) established for six “criteria” pollutants known to cause health problems – carbon monoxide, ozone, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates (fine particles).

4.4 Protecting Resources Protecting the Air  In the 1970’s, Congress passed the Clean Air Act, the nation’s most important air pollution law. Reason today you have pollution controls on cars, catalytic converters, and nonleaded gasoline. Power plants and other industries now have smoke stack scrubbers.

4.4 Protecting Resources Protecting the Air  In the 1970’s, Congress passed the Clean Air Act, the nation’s most important air pollution law. One reason for energy conservation today. Less energy used the fewer resources used and the fewer emissions released into the atmosphere.

Saving Energy

4.4 Protecting Resources Caring for Land Resources  Protecting land resources involves preventing pollution and managing land resources wisely. Compost is partly decomposed organic material that can be used as fertilizer. Recycling is the collecting and processing of used items so that they can be made into new products.

4.4 Protecting Resources Protecting Land Resources  The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 Requires companies to store, transport, and dispose of hazardous waste according to strict guidelines.

4.4 Protecting Resources Protecting Land Resources  1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund) Mandates the cleaning up of abandoned hazardous waste sites that are a danger to the public or environment How does this affect you? Times Beach

Times Beach 1925 at $67.50 1970s-Russell Bliss 17 miles Saint Louis 1970s-Russell Bliss 1972-76 Contamination 1982-1983 EPA Task Force 1996-1997 Removal 1999 Route 66

5.2 Soil Characteristics of Soil  Soil is part of the regolith that supports the growth of plants. • Regolith is the layer of rock and mineral fragments that covers most of Earth’s land surface.

5.2 Soil Characteristics of Soil  Soil Composition • Soil has four major components: mineral matter, or broken-down rock; humus, which is the decayed remains of organisms; water; and air.

Composition by Volume of Good-Quality Soil

5.2 Soil Characteristics of Soil  Soil Texture • Texture refers to the proportions of different particle sizes. - Sand (large size) - Silt - Clay (small size) • Loam (a mixture of all three sizes) is best suited for plant life.

Soil Texture

5.2 Soil Characteristics of Soil  Soil Structure • Soil particles clump together to give a soil its structure.

Soil Formation 5.2 Soil  The most important factors in soil formation are parent material, time, climate, organisms, and slope. 1. Parent material • Residual soil—parent material is the bedrock • Transported soil—parent material has been carried from elsewhere and deposited

Parent Material and Soils

5.2 Soil Soil Formation 2. Time 3. Climate • Important in all geologic processes • The longer a soil has been forming, the thicker it becomes. 3. Climate • Greatest effect on soil formation

5.2 Soil Soil Formation 4. Organisms 5. Slope • Organisms influence the soil's physical and chemical properties. • Furnish organic matter to soil 5. Slope • Angle - Steep slopes often have poorly developed soils. - Optimum slope is a flat-to-undulating upland surface.

5.2 Soil Soil Formation 5. Slope • Orientation, or direction the slope is facing, influences soil formation. - Soil temperature - Moisture

The Soil Profile 5.2 Soil  Soil varies in composition, texture, structure, and color at different depths. Soil horizons are zones or layers of soil. A soil profile is a vertical section through all the soil horizons. • The A horizon is commonly know as topsoil. • The B horizon is subsoil and contains clay particles washed out from the A horizon. • The C horizon is between B horizon and unaltered parent material.

Soil Profile

A Soil Profile Showing Different Horizons

Soil Types 5.2 Soil  Three common types of soil are pedalfer, pedocal, and laterite. 1. Pedalfer • Best developed under forest vegetation • Accumulation of iron oxides and aluminum-rich clays in the B horizon

5.2 Soil Soil Types 2. Pedocal 3. Laterite • Accumulates calcium carbonate • Associated with drier grasslands 3. Laterite • Hot, wet, tropical climates • Intense chemical weathering

5.2 Soil Soil Erosion  Water erodes soil.  Rates of Erosion • Human activities that remove natural vegetation, such as farming, logging, and construction, have greatly accelerated erosion.  Sediment Deposition • Reservoirs fill with sediment. • Sediments are contaminated by pesticides and fertilizers.

5.2 Soil Soil Erosion  Controlling Erosion • Planting rows of trees called windbreaks Terracing hillsides Plowing along the contours of hills Rotating crops