Geology, Energy Resources, and Global Water Cycle (Video)

Vocabulary flashcards covering ores, mining methods, fossil fuels, geothermal and hydro energy, and global water resources and cycle.

Ore

A naturally occurring rock containing a concentration of a valuable mineral that can be mined profitably.

Mining

The process of extracting minerals from a rock seam or ore.

Open-pit mining

A surface mining method where a large pit is dug to extract near-surface ore.

Strip mining

A surface mining method that removes overburden to expose coal, phosphates, clays, or tar.

Dredging

Mining materials from the bottom of rivers, lakes, or oceans.

Underground mining

Mining beneath the surface; more expensive and dangerous than surface mining.

Quarry

The process of extracting, refining, and preparing minerals from ore for use.

Sampling

The removal of a portion representing the whole for analysis.

Analysis

Evaluation of the valuable component, including chemical, mineral and particle-size analyses.

Comminution

Crushing and grinding to separate valuable components from ore.

Concentration

The separation of valuable minerals from raw materials.

Dewatering

Removal of water to obtain a usable mineral concentrate.

Fossil fuels

Non-renewable energy sources formed from the remains of plants and animals over millions of years.

Coal

A primary fossil fuel formed from plant matter; used for energy production and electricity.

Oil

An organic fossil fuel formed from ancient organic material; used for transportation fuels and petroleum products.

Natural gas

A naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas, mainly methane; the Earth’s cleanest fossil fuel, odorless and colorless in its natural state.

Geothermal energy

Energy produced by using heat from within the Earth, often via steam to drive turbines.

Geothermal reservoir

Pools of heated water or steam beneath the surface, tapped for power.

Binary power plant

A geothermal power plant that uses a secondary fluid to generate electricity from medium-temperature resources.

Run-of-river powerplant

Hydropower using a river’s natural flow with small dams to generate energy continuously.

Off-stream powerplant

Hydropower with reservoirs created by dams, producing energy on demand.

Pumped storage powerplant

A hydroelectric system with two reservoirs at different elevations to store and release water through a turbine.

Hydropower advantages

Renewable, highly efficient (about 90%), non-emitting; high capital cost but low operating costs.

Desalinization

Process to remove salts from seawater to produce freshwater; energy-intensive and costly.

Freshwater

Water that is usable by living organisms; about 3% of Earth’s water, much of it locked in ice.

Ice

Frozen freshwater; most of Earth's freshwater is in ice, especially Antarctica.

Groundwater

Water stored underground in aquifers; essential for drinking and farming but vulnerable to overuse and pollution.

Aquifer

A layer of rock or sediment that stores groundwater; the Great Artesian Basin is a famous example.

Lakes

Surface freshwater bodies formed by runoff or groundwater; can be fresh or salty and are important for recreation and water supply.

Wetlands

Areas periodically covered by water (deltas, estuaries, marshes, swamps); biodiversity hotspots and buffers for storms, many have been lost.

Rivers

Natural channels where water flows downhill from mountains to the sea; important for transport, energy, and water supply.

Global water cycle

Hydrologic cycle: the sun-powered movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, connecting oceans, atmosphere, rivers, and groundwater.

Evaporation

Process by which water is transformed into water vapor and rises into the atmosphere.

Condensation

Transformation of water vapor into droplets, forming clouds and fog.

Precipitation

Rain, snow, hail returning water to oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater.

Desalination energy cost

High energy requirement and cost to convert saltwater into freshwater.