(READ DESC!) EARTH SCI. 11: Energy, Resources, & Waste Management

A/N: YES, I KNOW THERE ARE SO MANY TERMS. Please note that every term and definition listed here is sourced from the book, with the exception of some definitions sourced from the internet. With this, I am not sure if EVERYTHING in here will be included in our future exams and such, so don't blame me if you study something that ends up never appearing LMFAO. If you want to study some specific terms, star them and choose the learn option to study starred terms only. Thank you :)

Resource

It is any material, substance, or organism found in nature that is useful to satisfy a need, provided it is technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable.

Renewable Resources

These are sources of energy that can be replenished or renewed over time.

Nonrenewable Resources

These are resources that do not renew themselves at a sufficient rate within a human time frame.

RA 9513

This is also known as the Renewable Act of 2008, which governs the development, utilization, and commercialization of energy resources in the Philippines.

Hydro Energy

It is the process of generating electricity by utilizing the kinetic and potential energy of moving or falling water. This energy is typically harnessed by channeling water through turbines in dams, rivers, or tidal flows, causing the turbines to spin and drive generators that convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy. Additionally, this is a renewable energy resource.

Large Hydropower Plant

A hydropower plant that can generate 10 MW of power may fall under this classification.

Mini Hydropower Plant

A hydropower plant that can generate 101 KW to 10 MW of power may fall under this classification.

Micro Hydropower Plant

A hydropower plant that can generate 1 to 100 KW of power may fall under this classification.

RA 7156

This is also known as the Mini-Hydroelectric Power Incentive Act, wherein incentives and privileges are granted to mini-hydroelectric power developers and entrepreneurs to develop potential sites for hydroelectric power in their localities.

Ocean Power

It is a renewable energy resource that harnesses the natural energy found in the oceans through various processes such as waves, tides, ocean currents, and thermal or salinity gradients.

OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion)

This is another way of producing energy using the ocean water. It uses the temperature difference between surface water (25°C) and deep ocean water (5°C). The surface temperature vaporizes a low-boiling point fluid like ammonia. The vapor expands and spins a turbine. The vapor is then condensed by deep ocean water into liquid so that it can be reused.

Geothermal Energy

This is a renewable energy resource that harnesses heat from within the Earth—typically from hot rocks, reservoirs of steam, or hot water deep below the surface—to generate electricity.

Geothermal Gradient

The direct relationship between the rates of increase in temperature with respect to the increase in depth of the Earth’s interior.

Dry steam power plants

The simplest and oldest design of a geothermal power plant.

This directly utilizes geothermal steam, which is sent directly to the turbine that drives the generator, producing electricity. The steam is cooled in the condenser, turns into cool water, and is then returned to the reservoir.

Flash steam power plants

The most widely used type of geothermal power plant today.

The hot water is pumped to the surface under great pressure. When it reaches the surface, the pressure is reduced, causing the water to boil rapidly or “flash” into vapor. The vapor in the flash tank drives the steam turbine. After passing through the turbine, the steam is cooled in the condenser. The cooled water is returned to the reservoir and heated by geothermal rocks.

Binary cycle power plants

A type of geothermal power plant that is used if the water that reaches the surface is not hot enough to produce steam. The hot geothermal water alongside a secondary fluid with a much lower boiling point (such as isopentane) is passed through a heat exchanger. The heat from the hot water causes the secondary fluid to flash vapor. The vapor drives the turbine that produces electricity. Isopentane condenses back and is reused again.

Solar Energy

It is a renewable resource that utilizes the sun’s radiation to provide electricity, heat, and other energy services for a wide range of applications.

Sun

It is considered as the largest source of energy.

Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Energy

Converts sunlight directly into electricity using solar panels made of semiconductor materials like silicon. When sunlight hits the solar cells, it excites electrons and generates electric current. The electricity produced is direct current (DC), which is then converted to alternating current (AC) for use in homes and businesses. PV systems can range from small rooftop setups to large solar farms and provide clean, renewable energy without greenhouse gas emissions during operation.

Concentrated Solar Power/Solar Thermal System

This system works by using the sun’s energy as a heat source. The heat is used to boil water to drive the steam turbine that generates electricity.

Wind Energy

It is a form of renewable energy that harnesses the natural movement of air in the Earth's atmosphere to generate electricity. It works by converting the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy using large turbines with blades that spin when the wind blows. This mechanical energy is then converted into electrical energy by a generator inside the turbine.

Grid-connected wind turbine generators (WTG)

These have designs that may be three-bladed, stall- or pitch-regulated, or horizontal axis machines operating at near-fixed rotational speed. The action of the wind rotates the blades which drives the generator that produces the electricity.

Wind hybrid systems

These use other energy sources such as photovoltaic cells to store power in batteries. They are used in small remote grids for special applications such as water pumping or battery charging.

Wind pumps

These transform the kinetic energy of the wind to cause the vertical action of the piston to suck water upwards. The windmill replaces human power in a hand-operated water pump.

Fossil Fuels

It is a natural energy source formed from the decomposed remains of ancient plants and animals buried millions of years ago under layers of soil and rock. Over time, heat and pressure transformed these organic materials into carbon- and hydrogen-rich substances like coal, petroleum (oil), and natural gas.

Coal

• It is a solid fossil fuel that is primarily composed of carbon, along with varying amounts of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. It is a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock formed from the remains of ancient plants.

• It is known as the most polluting source of energy and its combustion produces products that contribute to the formation of acid rain.

Anthracite

A classification of coal that is stated to have the highest carbon content (95%), be hard and glossy, and have the highest energy content.

Bituminous

A classification of coal that has intermediate carbon content (55-75%) and is widely used for electricity generation and industrial heat

Lignite

Lowest-rank coal, with lower carbon content (35%), mainly used for power generation near mining sites.

Peat

A precursor to coal, composed of partially decomposed plant material with 15% carbon.

Natural Gas

• A nonrenewable energy resource that is a mixture of naturally occurring, light hydrocarbons composed mostly of methane. They form from the remains of ancient microorganisms, as well as plant and animal matter. It is known as the cleanest of all the fossil fuels.

• This is usually trapped in rock formations. To get it out of the ground, experts will drill straight down to where it is thought to be deposited.

• Ranks second in its utilization in the Philippines.

Hydraulic fracturing

A process used to extract natural gas trapped in underground rock formations. It involves a procedure that uses high-pressured water to split apart underground rocks in order to release the natural gas trapped within rock layers.

Liquefied Natural Gas

The liquid form of natural gas. It takes up less space than its gaseous form and can be easily stored and used for various purposes.

Petroleum

• This comes from the Latin words petra and oleum.

• It is a natural liquid found deep underground in rock layers. It is mainly made of hydrocarbons, which are compounds of carbon and hydrogen, and include gases like methane, ethane, propane, and butane. It formed millions of years ago from the remains of tiny sea plants and animals that were buried under layers of sediment.

Petra

Rock

Oleum

Oil

Kerogen

It is the solid, insoluble organic material found in sedimentary rocks that is the precursor to petroleum. It forms from the remains of ancient plants and microorganisms and requires heat and pressure over geological time to break down and generate oil and gas

Bitumen

It is a thick, black, tar-like viscous form of organic matter that results from the early breakdown of kerogen. It is an intermediate product in the transformation of kerogen into petroleum, with a chemical structure between solid kerogen and liquid petroleum.

Cracking

The process of breaking carbon-carbon bonds in order to change heavier hydrocarbons into lighterones.

Light distillates

Includes liquefied petroleum gas, naphtha, and gasoline. The molecular composition ranges from pentane (C₅H₁₂) to octane (C₈H₁₈).

Middle distillates

Includes kerosene and diesel. The molecular composition ranges from nonane (C₉H₂₀) to hexadecane (C₁₆H₃₄).

Heavy distillates

Includes fuel oil, lubricating oil, waxes, and tar. The molecular composition is heavier than C₁₆H₃₄.

RA 8749

Also known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, it is based on the principle of the right of the people to a balanced and healthy ecology. It focuses primarily on pollution prevention rather than control and provides a comprehensive management program for air pollution.

Ocean

It is a vast body of salt water that covers about 71% of Earth's surface and contains around 97% of all Earth's water. Oceans are continuous and include the major ones: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans.

Freshwater

It is water that has very low concentrations of dissolved salts and is found in rivers, lakes, streams, groundwater, and glaciers.

Groundwater

It is water that seeps into the ground and fills up the open spaces in rocks, sediments, and soil beneath the Earth’s surface.

Zone of Saturation

The zone where all pore spaces are filled with water.

Zone of Aeration

The zone where pore spaces contain air and water.

Water Table

Separates the zone of aeration and the zone of saturation.

Porosity

Refers to the volume percentage of open spaces called pores.

Permeability

It is the ability of solid materials like rocks to transmit water through the pore network.

Spring

It forms when the water table meets the land surface, allowing groundwater to flow naturally.

Hot spring

It is formed when hot groundwater flows to the surface.

Running water

This is surface water that moves from a higher area to a lower area due to gravity.

Bed

The floor of the channel.

Banks

The sides of the channel.

Surface water

It is the water visible above ground and is an important source for drinking, irrigation, recreation, and habitat for many species.

Stream

Refers to all water flowing into a channel, regardless of its size.

River

It is a large stream that comes from smaller streams called tributaries. They flow towards oceans, seas, lakes, or another river.

Tributaries

They are smaller streams or rivers that flow into a larger river.

Lake

A large inland body of standing water.

Domestic Use

Refers to the use of water for household needs such as drinking, cooking, bathing, washing, gardening, and raising small animals.

Agricultural Use

Refers to the use of water for household needs such as drinking, cooking, bathing, washing, gardening, and raising small animals.

Power Generation

The use of water to produce electrical or mechanical power, such as in hydropower plants.

Industrial Use

The use of water in manufacturing or producing goods and other industrial products.

Aquaculture

The use of water for raising and propagating aquatic organisms such as fish, shrimp, and crabs for commercial purposes.

Livestock raising

The use of water for maintaining and raising herds or flocks of animals for commercial production.

Water scarcity

A condition wherein the demand for water exceeds the available supply.

Water Pollution

The reduction of the quality of water.

RA 9275

Also known as the Clean Water Act of 2004, it provides comprehensive water quality management of all water bodies. It primarily applies to the abatement and control of pollution from land-based sources, such as industrial and commercial establishments, agriculture, and community or household activities. It mandates the protection, preservation, and revival of the quality of fresh, brackish, and marine waters.

Soil

It is formed by the interaction of the parent material (bedrock), climate, time, plants and animals, and topography. It consists of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. It supports the growth of plants. The basic types of this include clay, silt, and sand.

Loam

It is a type of soil made up of a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay particles.

Soil profile

The arrangement of soil horizons.

O horizon

Consists largely of organic matter at various stages of decomposition. It also includes bacteria, algae, and insect.

Humus

The partly-decomposed organic matter.

A horizon

Consists of minerals and humus.

E horizon

A light-colored layer that contains little organic material and is the zone of eluviation and leaching.

Eluviation

The washing of the fine components.

Leaching

The depletion of soluable materials.

B horizon

The zone of accumulation; it is also called subsoil.

C horizon

Characterized by partially-altered parent material.

Arable land

Refers to lands that are temporarily used for agricultural crops, temporary meadows for mowing or pasture, and temporary fallow lands.

Nonarable land

Includes orchard lands, vineyards, coffee plantation, rubber plantation, nut planatation, as well as lands used for pasture and grazing, and those land unsuited for any agricultural use.

Human-Induced Erosion

The wearing away of soil caused by human activities such as excessive farming, logging, overgrazing, fires, and improper irrigation.

Desertification

The process by which a non-desert area begins to exhibit the characteristics of a desert, usually due to land mismanagement like deforestation, slash-and-burn agriculture, and overgrazing.

Desalination

Happens when there is large-scale irrigation that leaves dissolved salts when water evaporates, preventing the uptake of water by the roots of the plants.

Lands of public domain

Classified into agricultural, forest or timber, mineral lands, and national parks.

Crop rotation

The practice of growing different crops in the same field at different times.

Natural vegetative strips (NVS)

Narrow strips of naturally growing grasses and herbs.

Contour plowing

The cultivation of lands into furrows that run perpendicular to the slopes of a hill at a fixed level.

Terracing

The building of steplike terraces along the slopes of the hills.

Wind breaks

Rows of trees planted to surround large areas of agricultural land.

Tilling

The plowing of a field in order to plant crops.

No-till farming

Plowing to a depth of around two inches instead of eight inches in traditional plowing.

RA 9003

Also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. It provides systematic, comprehensive, and ecological waste management policies that ensure the protection of human health and the environment and maximizes the utilization of valuable resources, among others.

Agricultural waste

Includes waste generated from the planting and harvesting of crops, trimming or pruning of plants and wastes, or runoff materials from farms and fields.

Reduce

It means limiting the amount of generation of waste.

Reuse

Refers to the recovery of materials with the intention of using it either in the same or for a different purpose, without changing its physical or chemical properties.

Recycle

It means converting any used material or waste material into a new product that is useful.

Segregation

A phase in recycling that is defined as the practice of separating solid wastes at the point of origin.