Environmental Science: Mining and Reclamation in the Philippines

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on Earth sphere interactions, cumulative impacts, responsible mining practices, and land reclamation in the Philippines.

Geosphere

The solid parts of Earth, including rocks, soil, mountains, and minerals.

Hydrosphere

The Earth system that encompasses all forms of water, including rivers, lakes, groundwater, seawater, and rainwater.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth that can be affected by dust, particulate matter, air pollutants, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Biosphere

The Earth system that includes all living organisms, such as plants, animals, microorganisms, and human communities.

Pacific Ring of Fire

A region where tectonic and volcanic processes occur, contributing to the formation of valuable mineral deposits in the Philippines such as gold, copper, nickel, chromite, and iron.

Open-pit Mining

A surface mining technique involving the removal of large quantities of soil and rock to access mineral deposits, altering the physical shape of the landscape.

Evidence-Based Environmental Assessment

An evaluation approach that relies on multiple lines of scientific evidence—such as water chemistry, sediment traits, historical data, and spatial patterns—rather than a single visual observation.

Cumulative Impact

The combined environmental effects of multiple activities or projects occurring over time and across a geographic area.

Responsible Mining

The extraction of mineral resources while taking active measures to protect the environment, workers, communities, and natural resources throughout the life of a project.

Mine Rehabilitation

The process of restoring disturbed land after mine closure through soil stabilization, topsoil replacement, replanting vegetation, erosion control, and water system restoration.

Land Reclamation

The process of creating new land by filling or building up areas previously covered by water, such as coastal waters, tidal flats, or shallow bays.

Rainwater Infiltration

The process by which rainfall soaks into vegetated or natural soil, contributing to groundwater recharge and soil water storage.

Surface Runoff

Water from rainfall that flows across the land surface rather than soaking into the ground, which typically increases when land is covered with impermeable surfaces.

Impermeable Materials

Artificial structures and materials, such as roads, buildings, parking lots, and concrete, that prevent water from infiltrating into the soil.

Long-Term Sustainability (in Reclamation)

The condition in which environmental, social, and economic systems can continue functioning over decades while accounting for hazards like sea-level rise, land subsidence, flooding, and ecosystem health.