Mining, Fossil Fuels, Water Resources, and Soil Pollution – Lecture Review

These flashcards cover key points on mineral extraction, fossil-fuel formation and types, water resources, and soil and water pollution from the provided lecture notes.

What is the oldest known mineral on Earth and how old is it estimated to be?

Zircon crystals, approximately 4.0–4.4 billion years old.

In metallurgy, what is smelting?

The extraction of a metal from its ore by heating and melting.

What are the three main ore-genesis processes?

Internal/igneous processes, hydrothermal processes, and surficial/erosional processes.

What are the two broad categories of mining methods?

Surface mining and underground mining.

Give three examples of surface-mining techniques.

Open-pit mining, strip mining, and mountain-top removal (dredging is another example).

Which underground mining method involves digging straight down to reach a desired depth?

Shaft mining.

List the five basic steps of mineral processing in order.

Sampling, Analysis, Comminution (crushing/grinding), Concentration/Separation, and Dewatering.

How many metallic and non-metallic mines does the Philippines have?

40 metallic mines and 62 non-metallic mines.

The Philippines ranks what place globally for mineral resources?

Fifth.

What mining tax rate is mentioned for the Philippines?

2 %.

From what are fossil fuels primarily formed?

The buried remains of ancient plants and animals subjected to heat, pressure, and time.

Approximately how long can it take for fossil fuels to form?

Up to about 500 million years.

Name the three physical states of fossil fuels and give an example of each.

Solid (coal), liquid (crude oil/petroleum), gaseous (natural gas).

Arrange the four main ranks of coal from lowest to highest carbon content.

Peat, Lignite, Bituminous (including sub-bituminous), Anthracite.

Which coal rank has the highest heating value and lowest volatile matter?

Anthracite.

State one advantage and one disadvantage of using coal.

Advantage – abundant and cheap. Disadvantage – releases impurities and CO₂.

Why is oil considered more energy-dense than coal?

It contains more concentrated hydrocarbons that release more energy per unit mass when burned.

What is the main method used to separate the components of crude oil?

Fractional distillation (refining).

Give two common products obtained from refining crude oil.

Diesel and kerosene (jet fuel is another example).

What is the primary component of natural gas, and why is it considered the cleanest fossil fuel?

Methane; it produces less CO₂ and pollutants per unit of energy than coal or oil.

Which natural-gas extraction technique can trigger earthquakes?

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

Name the three key processes of the water cycle that facilitate distribution of water.

Evaporation, Condensation, and Precipitation.

List three major human uses of water mentioned in the notes.

Personal/household, agricultural, and industrial uses (also recreational, electricity generation).

What proportion of Earth’s water is fresh water?

About 3 %.

Of the world’s fresh water, what percentage is stored in ice caps and glaciers?

Approximately 68.7 %.

Define an aquifer.

A porous, permeable underground rock layer that stores and transmits groundwater.

What is the term for the upper surface of groundwater?

The water table.

Identify the longest river in the Philippines.

The Cagayan River.

Which lake is the largest in the Philippines?

Laguna de Bay.

What physical parameter of water measures how suspended material reduces light transmission?

Turbidity.

Give two physical properties commonly used to describe water quality.

Temperature and color (taste, odor, and turbidity are others).

Differentiate between water availability and water scarcity.

Availability is the quantity usable without harming ecosystems; scarcity occurs when withdrawals are so great that supplies are no longer adequate.

Describe one farming practice that can harm soil quality.

Excessive fertilizer use or clearing vegetation, which exposes soil to erosion.

How does overgrazing contribute to soil degradation?

Animals remove plant cover, leaving soil exposed to wind and water erosion.

Explain how mining can lead to soil acidification.

Exposed sulfide minerals react with water and air to form sulfuric acid, creating acidic runoff that degrades soil.

What carcinogenic compound can leach from degrading plastic bottles and contaminate soil and water?

Diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA).