Unit C The Solid Earth

Managing Earth’s Resources Chapter 9 Managing Earth’s Resources

Lesson 1: What Are Renewable Resources?

Air and Water A Natural Resource is a material found on Earth that can be used by people. Two types of Natural Resources: Nonrenewable Resource are resources that cannot be replaced. Examples: oil, gas, and coal Renewable Resource are resources that can be replaced or renew itself. Examples: air and water

Plants and Animals Earth’s plants and animals are important renewable resources. Animals Get their energy from plants and other animals. People use animals in a number of ways (food and clothing). Plants Clean and renew the air. People harvest trees to use the wood. Some plants are used in medicine.

Water as a Resource The water we use comes from the fresh water supply. The Water Cycle renews our supply of fresh water. Water evaporates. Water vapor condenses forming clouds. Water falls back to the Earth in the form of precipitation.

Soil and Nutrients Soil is an important resource. Plants need the nutrients in soil to grow. Nutrients need to be replaced in order for soil to be used again. Farmers use crops and fertilizers to help restore lost nutrients.

Lesson 2: What Are Nonrenewable Resources?

Fossil Fuels A Fossil Fuel is a fuel formed from the remains of once living things. Coal- the most common fossil fuel - Uses: to produce electricity and heating Oil - Uses: fuel for cars, plastics, medicines, and fabrics Natural Gas - Uses: heat for homes, run some appliances

Fossil Fuel Benefits (Pros) Fairly easy to remove from the ground Easily transported Cheaper than other forms of energy Fossil Fuel Drawbacks (Cons) All fossil fuels are nonrenewable Oil and Natural Gas may run out in 100 years Cause Pollution (adds harmful materials to the air, water, and soil)

Other possible energy sources include solar power (sun), hydroelectric power (water), and wind power which are all renewable resources.

Layers of Soil A Horizon (Topsoil) B Horizon C Horizon D Horizon a. The upper layer of soil that contains minerals and humus (decayed plant and animal matter) B Horizon a. This layer contains minerals but very little humus C Horizon a. This layer is mostly broken up, weather rocks D Horizon a. This layer is bedrock,the solid rock below the lowest layer of soil

Types of Soil Soil is classified by the type of rock bits they contain. Three main types are sand, silt, and clay. Different plants, trees, and crops grow in different soil types.

Rocks and Minerals Rocks are solid materials that are made up of one or more minerals. a. Examples: granite and marble Minerals are natural solids found in the Earth’s crust. a. Examples: graphite (lead), calcite (chalk), and halite (salt) Ores are rocks that are mined for the mineral it contains. a. Examples: iron, copper gold, and tin.

Lesson 3: How Can Resources Be Conserved?

Tons of Garbage Millions of tons of trash is thrown away each year. Trash that is thrown away is buried or burned. Trash is buried in a landfill or dump Trash is burned in an incinerator Some of the materials that are thrown away are made with pollutants a. Pollutants are materials that cause pollution.

Good and Bad Practices Conservation is the wise use of natural resources. There are laws in the U.S. that require companies and communities to control pollution. a. These laws help protect natural resources.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle are ways to conserve natural resources. Another good practice is to use products that are biodegradable (breaks down easily).

Products made from recycled materials Recycling is the process of breaking down materials into a different form that can be used again. a. Materials that can be recycled are newspaper, aluminum cans, glass, and some plastics. Products made from recycled materials Recycled Paper: new newspaper, packaging, and even furniture. Recycled Plastic: fabric for clothing, CD cases, playground equipment, and ballpoint pens.