Unit 4 AP Environmental Multiple Choice

the earth is _________ years old

4.6 billion

how far from the surface to the core

about 1800 miles

Asthenosphere

The layer of Earth located in the outer part of the mantle, composed of semi-molten rock

lithosphere

The outermost layer of Earth, including the mantle and crust.

crust

In geology, the chemically distinct outermost layer of the lithosphere

why is the core so hot?

thought to be the result of radioactive decay of various isotopes

Plate Tectonics

The theory that the lithosphere of Earth is divided into plates, most of which are in constant motion

Tectonic Cycle

The sum of the processes that build up and break down the lithosphere

subduction

The process of one crustal plate passing under another

convergent zones

An area where plates move toward one another and collide

richter scale goes up by...

10

igneous rock

Rock formed directly from magma

intrusive igneous rock

Igneous rock that forms when magma rises up and cools in a place underground

extrusive igneous rock

Rock that forms when magma cools above the surface of Earth

sedimentary rock

Rock that forms when sediments such as muds, sands, or gravels are compressed by overlying sediments

where can you find fossils?

sedimentary rock

metamorphic rock

Rock that forms when sedimentary rock, igneous rock, or other metamorphic rock is subjected to high temperature and pressure

what causes tsunamis

underwater earthquakes

what is acid rain

high in sulfuric acid and nitric acid from reactions between water vapor and sulfur and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere

soil triangle

read sand, silt, and clay individually then see where they connect

SURFACE mining techniques

strip mining, open-pit mining, mountaintop removal, placer mining

SUBSURFACE mining

Mining techniques used when the desired resource is more than 100 m (328 feet) below the surface of Earth

strip mining

The removal of strips of soil and rock to expose ore

open-pit mining

A mining technique that creates a large visible pit or hole in the ground

mountaintop removal

A mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed with explosives

placer mining

The process of looking for minerals, metals, and precious stones in river sediments

chemical weathering

The breakdown of rocks and minerals by chemical reactions, the dissolving of chemical elements from rocks, or both

physical weathering

The mechanical breakdown of rocks and minerals

layers of soil

O horizon, A horizon, E horizon, B horizon, C horizon

O horizon

The organic horizon at the surface of many soils, composed of organic detritus in various stages of decomposition

A horizon

Frequently the top layer of soil, a zone of organic material and minerals that have been mixed together

E horizon

A zone of leaching, or eluviation, found in some acidic soils

B horizon

A soil horizon composed primarily of mineral material with very little organic matter

C horizon

The least-weathered soil horizon, which always occurs beneath the B horizon and is similar to the parent material

functions of soil

plant growth, primary filter of water as water moves into streams and rivers, habitat for living organisms, recycler of organic matter, filters chemical compounds from air

sediment sizes

sand (smallest) , silt (medium) , clay (largest)

loam

ideal growing conditions (40% sand, 40% silt, 20% clay)

drainage of soil

sand drains quickly, silt is in middle, clay drains slowly

acid mine drainage

the outflow of acidic water from metal mines or coal mines (mine tailings)

what percent of water is fresh

<3%

where is freshwater found

in aquifers

unconfined aquifer

An aquifer made of porous rock covered by soil out of which water can easily flow

confined aquifer

An aquifer surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay that impedes water flow

artesian well

A well created by drilling a hole into a confined aquifer

Oglala aquifer is being depleted because

withdrawals for irrigation that have exceeded the aquifer's rate of recharge

cone of depression

An area lacking groundwater due to rapid withdrawal by a well

why can't so much of the freshwater be used

it is trapped in glaciers, salt water intrusion, pollution

dam

A barrier that runs across a river or stream to control the flow of water

benefits of dams

Flood control, cheap electricity, irrigation water, drought help, recreation

% of freshwater used in agriculture

70%

Xeriscaping

A style of landscaping that removes water-intensive vegetation from lawns and replaces it with more water-efficient native landscaping

furrow irrigation

a trench that is flooded with water

flood irrigation

the entire field is flooded with water

spray irrigation

an apparatus sprays water across a field

drip

a slow dripping hose is laid on or buried beneath the soil

the greatest use of household water is

toilet flushing

what is gray water

Wastewater from baths, showers, bathrooms, and washing machines

how can gray water be used

to water lawns and in toilets