Natural Resources
What are the three main conditions for oil deposits to form?
Burial of organic material, long periods of heat and pressure, geological traps
Name two advantages of geothermal energy over oil.
Geothermal is renewable and produces less greenhouse gas
How has human activity increased erosion in Mayotte?
Deforestation and agriculture intensified erosion
How are plastics made from fossil fuels?
By polymerizing fossil fuel derivatives into plastics
What solution removes the most microplastics?
Artificial root filters remove 99% of microplastics
What explains oil distribution in Texas?
Many dead organisms were deposited and trapped in what is now Texas
Why is geothermal energy considered renewable?
Because Earth's internal heat is continuously replenished
Why does red mud threaten ecosystems?
Red mud contains heavy metals, harmful if released
Why is aspirin more effective than willow bark?
Aspirin is chemically refined, more effective and accessible
What is a drawback of artificial root filters?
Microplastics are trapped but not broken down
Why won't oil reserves renew quickly?
They will be depleted because they take millions of years to form
What causes differences in water storage across the U.S.?
Greater precipitation and snowmelt in the north
What causes habitat loss in energy development?
Oil/gas cause more habitat loss than wind over time
What makes biodiesel a greener fuel?
Plants absorb CO2, cycling it through biodiesel combustion
What are criteria and constraints for dam removal?
Remove dam, slowly release sediment, stay under $5M and 1 year
What causes metal ore deposits near coasts?
Tectonic activity at plate boundaries and erosion by rivers
What's a disadvantage of geothermal power?
Limited geographic access to geothermal hotspots
$400: How does desalination impact water quality?
Lower diversity near brine discharge indicates harm
What did the Haber process lead to?
Boosted agriculture, food supply, and population growth
What dam removal method is most budget-friendly?
Notch and release method costs $3M and meets requirements
Why is geothermal energy unevenly accessible?
Only some areas can access it due to geographic limitations
Which U.S. region is most at risk of drought?
Southern U.S. is at greatest risk of drought
Why is Arctic ice melting rapidly?
Melting ice reduces solar reflection, increasing warming
Why can manufactured materials harm ecosystems?
Useful to humans but can damage ecosystems when misused
Why is groundwater pumping promising in Africa?
Untapped groundwater and solar pumps monitored by sensors