Untitled Flashcard Set

acid mine drainage

The release of acidic water formed when sulfide minerals are exposed to air and water during mining, often dissolving toxic metals that contaminate nearby waterways.

aquaculture

The controlled cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish, shellfish, or algae for food, materials, or restoration purposes.

albedo

A measure of how much incoming solar radiation a surface reflects back into space, influencing local and global temperature patterns.

cyanide heap leaching

A mining process in which a chemical solution is used to dissolve valuable metals from crushed rock piles, allowing the metal to be collected from the liquid runoff.

crop rotation

An agricultural practice that involves growing different types of plants on the same land in a planned sequence to improve soil health and reduce pests and disease.

ecological footprint

An estimate of the amount of biologically productive land and water needed to supply resources and absorb waste for an individual, population, or activity.

impermeable

Describing a material or surface that does not allow liquids to pass through, often increasing runoff and reducing groundwater recharge.

integrated pest management (IPM)

A pest control strategy that combines biological, cultural, mechanical, and limited chemical methods to minimize environmental and health impacts.

intercropping

An agricultural technique in which multiple plant species are grown together in the same area to improve resource use and reduce pest pressure.

maximum sustainable yield (MSY)

The largest amount of a renewable resource that can be harvested indefinitely without reducing the population over time.

mountaintop removal

A mining method in which the summit of a mountain is blasted away to access buried resources, often burying nearby streams with debris.

open-pit mining

A surface extraction technique that involves digging a large, stepped hole to remove mineral deposits close to Earth’s surface.

ore

A naturally occurring material containing a valuable substance in high enough concentration to be extracted profitably.

overburden

The layers of soil and rock that lie above a resource deposit and must be removed before extraction can occur.

placer mining

A technique that separates heavy valuable materials from sediment using water flow, commonly used in streambeds.

prescribed burns

Carefully planned and controlled fires used to reduce fuel buildup, restore ecosystems, and lower the risk of severe wildfires.

remediation

The process of cleaning up or restoring contaminated land, water, or air to reduce environmental and health risks.

room-and-pillar mining

A subsurface extraction method where large open spaces are created while leaving support columns intact to prevent collapse.

smart growth

An urban planning approach that promotes compact development, efficient land use, and reduced reliance on automobiles.

strip mining

A surface extraction method where long strips of soil and rock are removed to expose shallow resource deposits.

subsurface mining

The removal of resources from beneath Earth’s surface through tunnels or shafts.

surface mining

Resource extraction that occurs at or near the land surface by removing overlying material.

tailings

The leftover waste material produced after valuable substances have been separated from mined rock.

turbidity

A measure of water clarity affected by suspended particles, which can reduce light penetration and harm aquatic life.

urban sprawl

The spread of low-density development outward from cities, often increasing land consumption, transportation needs, and resource use.