1. Earth’s Natural Resources

2. Renewable Resources Resources that can be used indefinitely without a reduction in the available supply Sustainable Yield – The rate at which renewable resources can be used and replenished

3. Non-renewable Resources A resource that exists in a fixed amount that can only be replaced by geological, physical and chemical processes that require long periods of time.

4. Land – a Natural Resource

5. SOIL - Land Resources Only 25% of the world’s land is suitable for agriculture. Plowing and leaving bare ground can cause erosion of topsoil. In dry climates, this can lead to desertification.

6. Ores – Land Resources Ores = Valuable minerals Mining produces necessary ores for manufacturing Mining can destroy land contours and habitats and can leave behind harmful chemicals such as mercury

7. Rocks and Aggregates Bedrock: solid rock under the soil that may be mined in quarries (granite, limestone, marble) Aggregate: crushed rock and stone from the Earth’s surface.

8. Air Resources Air contains the substances that most land- organisms need to survive. – Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere protects us from harmful solar radiation The atmosphere also circulates fresh water around the world in the form of precipitation. Wind can be used to generate energy.

9. Air Pollution Human processes can disrupt the natural cycle in the atmosphere – Releasing Sulfur, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and other toxins Natural processes, such as volcanic eruptions, can cause similar harm.

10. Indoor Air Pollution Closed building environments can build up chemical and biological hazards – Formaldehyde, styrene, tobacco smoke, asbestos, and carbon monoxide can build up – Radon-222 is a decay product of Uranium-238 and can collect in basements. – Molds can build up where damp conditions are created We call these problems “sick building syndrome”

11. Fresh Water Resources Fresh water is not evenly distributed on Earth – Many places have to import their water – In other places, the aquifers are over-extended

12. Water Usage Water is not just important to drink It can be used in manufacturing processes and in agriculture. We can also use it to make electrical energy (dams and tide farms)

13. Energy Today, energy generation usually means generating ELECTRICAL energy. Traditional sources of energy (RENEWABLE) – Wood, Crops, Fecal Material and Peat can be burned to generate heat. Fossils fuels (NON-RENEWABLE!) – Coal, petroleum and natural gas can be used for heat or burnt to run an engine or generator. Burning fuel can release carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide in the air

14. Renewable Energy Solar energy – Can be used to heat or to generate electricity in solar panels (photovoltaic cells) Water energy – Waves, tides and rivers can be used to generate electricity Geothermal – Internal heat of the Earth can be used as an energy source

15. Renewable Energy Wind energy – Wind turbines can be used to generate electricity Biomass – Uses plants and animal waste to make methane

16. Renewable Energy

17. Nuclear Energy Not renewable but there is a HUGE amount available. Uses radioactive elements to heat water to generate electricity

19. Energy Efficiency Efficiency = how much energy you get out of the energy you put in.

20. Solar Solar power uses the sun’s energy to directly produce electricity PRO: Once installed, solar produces very cheap energy with no emissions CON: Current cost of solar panels is still high. Requires use in areas with consistent sun. Cannot be used to fuel vehicles YET

21. Biomass Bioenergy falls into two broad categories: – biomass for use in electricity and heat generation – liquid biofuels for use in transportation. – PRO: – Biomass produces less greenhouse gas – Can be used to fuel some vehicles CON: – Biomass diverts land from production of food

22. Geothermal Geothermal energy can be used to provide 24 hour power regardless of weather conditions. PRO: Inexpensive to run, clean energy source that is renewable CON: Expensive to install and not available everywhere Cannot be used to fuel vehicles

23. Hydroelectric Hydroelectric uses gravitational energy of moving water to generate electricity PRO: Clean renewable energy source CON: Can only be used where flowing water is available; can interfere with habitats Cannot be used to fuel vehicles

24. Wind Wind power uses air movement to produce electrical energy PRO: Once installed, wind produces very cheap energy with no emissions and relatively small environmental impact on habitats CON: Must be installed where there is consistent air flow and then rerouted to other locations. Cannot be used to fuel vehicles

25. Nuclear Nuclear power uses radioactive decay to provide power PRO: Low long-term cost, relative abundance of fuel, no carbon emissions CON: Waste disposal and accident damage issues are a concern. Cannot be used to fuel vehicles

26. Natural Gas Natural gas is a fossil fuel with less carbon emissions than oil PRO: Cleaner burning fuel CON: Drilling for non-renewable natural gas requires questionable technologies (fracking) Can be used to fuel some vehicles

27. Coal Coal is a widely available natural but non- renewable resource that can be used for energy production PRO: Relatively abundant and inexpensive CON: Produces greenhouse gases and is non- renewable Cannot be used to fuel vehicles

28. Petroleum Petroleum products are fossil fuels that are used in most vehicles and can be used to generate electrical power PRO: Almost all current transportation systems require the use of petroleum CON: Emissions from petroleum products cause pollution and accidental spills can be environmental disasters. Are used to fuel most vehicles

29. Energy Conservation There are many ways to reduce energy usage. – Programs to replace old appliances and vehicles with new, energy-efficient products – Increased use of mass transit – Recycling: such as aluminum – Turning off lights, technology, etc. – Use of renewable resources

30. Make-up of Virginia Land use (35th-largest state by area) – Forests 65% – Wetlands and water 6% – 5% commercial and residential Four eco-regions in Virginia: – Mid Atlantic coastal forests near the Atlantic coast in the southeast corner of the state – Southeastern mixed forests on the Piedmont, – Appalachian-Blue Ridge forests on the Appalachian Mountains – Appalachian mixed forests in the far west

32. Virginia Energy Production

33. Agriculture in Virginia Agriculture is Virginia's largest industry About 20 out of every 100 jobs are held in agriculture. – Plants: field crops, vegetables, livestock, and nursery products, and vineyards – Animals: commercial horses and the growing of fish.

35. Virginia’s Water Annual rainfall is 42 inches but ranges from 35 to 55 inches. – In Virginia, rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year without distinct wet and dry periods. Approximately 79,800 million gallons per day Supplied by Virginia's surface and ground water.

36. Chesapeake Bay Wetlands Virginia's tidal wetlands include salt marshes, brackish and freshwater marshes, and swamps. Wetlands along the water's edge provide the following valuable services: – Absorb excess flood water – Protect uplands from the storm damage of wind and waves – Provide constant, ideal habitat-including food and shelter for many animals and essential nursery habitat for others – Filter out pollution – Mix oxygen into the water.

37. River Resources Virginia has nine major river basins Water from the westernmost basins ends up in the Gulf of Mexico. Water from the rest of the state ends up in the Chesapeake Bay – The main tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay flowing through Virginia are the James, York, Rappahannock, and Potomac rivers.

38. Virginia’s Physiographic Provinces A physiographic province is a landform region, an area with similar terrain that has been shaped by a common geologic history. Geographers recognize more than 20 physiographic provinces in North America; – Virginia intersects five of these

39. By province name

40. Provinces by elevation

41. Coastal Plain Low elevation Sedimentary Rocks Loose sediments Separated from the Piedmont by the FALL LINE

42. Piedmont Older rocks than Coastal Igneous & Metamorphic

43. Blue Ridge Oldest Rock formations in Virginia Igneous & Metamorphic – Granite and Gneiss Highest Elevations

44. Valley and Ridge Differential erosion formed valleys and ridges Valleys formed where limestone was eroded Ridges formed by slower eroding sandstone

45. Appalachian Plateau Sedimentary rocks including coal Relative flat topography

46. Mineral Resources in Virginia Coal remains most important to the Virginia, but remember, it is not a mineral!!! Coastal Plain Province: sand, gravel, and clay and mineral sands. Piedmont: kyanite, slate, vermiculite, granite, gabbro, diabase, and feldspar. Blue Ridge: quartzite as crushed stone and, in the past, mining occurred for copper, iron, manganese, and a limited amount of tin.

47. Mineral Resources in Virginia Valley and Ridge: limestone, dolostone, sandstone, gypsum, iron oxides, clay, oil, natural gas, and shale. Appalachian Plateau: coal, methane, natural gas, and some oil, along with some crushed stone.

48. Gold Silver Copper

49. Watersheds of Virginia