Environmental Management: Rocks and Minerals Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the Earth's structure, rock types, mineral extraction methods, and the environmental impacts and management of mining.

Environmental Management

A systematic approach to balancing human activities with the needs of the natural environment and understanding how the Earth’s resources are used for sustainable development.

Crust

The outermost layer of the earth's surface characterized by lighter elements, water, continents, and a thickness of only a few kilometres.

Mantle

The second layer of the Earth located between the crust and the outer core, with a thickness reaching more than $2000\,km$.

Inner Core

The central layer of the Earth consisting of solid metal, specifically Iron and Nickel.

Outer Core

The liquid metal layer of the Earth's core, primarily composed of Iron.

Igneous Rock

Rock formed when liquid magma or lava solidifies by cooling either on or under the earth's surface.

Basalt

An igneous rock with small crystals formed when molten rock cools quickly on the Earth's surface.

Granite

An igneous rock with large particles formed when molten rock cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface.

Sedimentary Rock

Rock formed by weathering and erosion of existing rocks, which are transported and then compacted and cemented into layers; often contains fossils.

Metamorphic Rock

Rock formed when heat and pressure act on existing rocks to cause chemical or physical changes in crystals without melting them.

Ores

Rocks that contain valuable elements such as iron or copper which are in high demand.

Prospection

The process of examining the surface of rocks to look for minerals, though considered inaccurate for sole dependency.

Remote Sensing

Gathering information about an area via satellite signals, GPS reflections, or aerial photos to identify minerals and determine accessibility.

Radiation Detection

A fast and accurate method of identifying mineral oxides by detecting their unique radiation signatures.

Geochemical Analysis

The examination of rock, soil, and sediment samples to determine the presence, purity, and economic value of chemical elements.

Geophysical Methods

Identifying mineral ores by sending seismic waves into the ground and recording the patterns of reflected shock waves.

Geology (Mining Factor)

The study of ore grade and the amount of reserve deposits underground to determine if extraction is worthwhile.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

A study conducted before mining to minimize impact on organisms, plan habitat restoration, and consider public opinion.

Surface Mining

A widely used mining method employed when valuable deposits are located near the surface.

Open Cast Mining

A type of surface mining involving removing vegetation, breaking rocks with explosives, and hauling away waste to reach the ore.

Quarrying

A specific type of surface mining for the extraction of construction materials like stone, sand, and gravel.

Overburden

The material removed during mining that is stored and later used to restore the land.

Strip Mining

A surface mining method used when valuable minerals like coal are present in specific layers or strips near the surface.

Deep and Shaft Mining

Underground mining used for deposits that cannot be reached from the surface, involving vertical shafts and horizontal digging.

Bioaccumulation

The process where living organisms absorb and accumulate ions in their bodies over time without excreting them.

Biomagnification

The increase in the concentration of pollutants as they are transferred through different levels of the food chain.

Bioremediation

Using living microorganisms like bacteria or fish to remove pollutants from an environment.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs or polluting the environment.