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 climate2. dry/arid climate3. little vegetation
How can wind erosion be reduce
1. planting wind barriers2. lots of vegetation3. 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 slopesDon’t build on wet areasRetaining walls at bases of slopes/Steel nets to control landslidesTrenches to divert water
Explain how deforestation contributes to global warming
Tree absorb CO2 through photosynthesisDeforestation results in less trees to absorb
CO2Meaning 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 erosionLoss of habitatLoss of speciesRunoffReduced water qualityReduced 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 formedThey 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.
