Resource Security General AO1 - AQA A-Level Geography

Define Resource

An aspect of the natural environment that can be used to benefit human needs

Define Resource Security

The ability of a country (Or another organisation) to maintain reliable and sustainable flows of resources that keep or improve living standards for a population

What is "Exploration" when it comes to the Resource Cycle?

The process of searching an area with intent to find or map natural resources

What is "Exploitation" when it comes to the Resource Cycle?

Using natural resources to the fullest or most profitable use

Define Resource Development

Taking a resource and making it available for people to buy.

What is Uneven Distribution?

Varying concentrations of resources across nations, leading to national government having different levels of territorial control of these areas.

Define Resource Sustainability

The use of resources to not harm resource security or the environment for future generations

What can the disagreement over resources lead to?

Resource Conflict

Disputes -> Legal -> Violence -> Warfare

What are stock resources? Give one example

Stock reserves are finite and will eventually be used up after being exploited.

Examples: Coal, Oil, Gas

What are flow resources? Give one example

Flow resources are can be replenished over time, some may require additional management. Quantities are usually expressed annually.

Examples: Wood (Credit other valid examples)

Define Measured Reserve

A confident estimation into the quantity and quality of a resource in a specific area based on detailed knowledge of geology.

Give one example of a Measured Reserve

The Athabasca Tarsands (Canada)

Define Indicated Reserve

Slightly less confident estimation on the quantity and quality of a resource, but enough confidence to conduct further investigation to consider economic viability in an area

Define Inferred Resource

Quality and quantity of a resource based on limited sampling, which may be inaccurate

Give one example of an inferred resource

Antarctica

Define Possible Resource

Limited geographical knowledge means the area may be explored for resources in the long term

What are two reasons that resource extraction will go ahead under?

Geological Certainty and Profitability

What are the three factors that determine Geological Certainty for a resource?

Quantity of a resource
Quality of a resource
Physical location and availability

What is the McKelvey Box?

A visual representation that distinguishes between what is a resource and what is a reserve and the differences between them.

What are the three scales that determine a resource and reserve on a McKelvey Box?

Increasing Accessibility
Degree of geological certainty
Feasibility of Economic Recovery

What does the smaller box represent on the McKelvey Box?

The actual reserve base, based on access, profit and certainty.

Example: Shallow oil reserves in the oil field.

What does the larger box represent on the McKelvey Box?

The entire resource base of a given material

Example: An Oil Field

What is a resource frontier?

A newly colonised a region that have just been introduced into production for the first time

When does a resource peak occur?

A resource peak occurs when the maximum rate of production occurs followed by a decline in production

What two categories of risk determine the security and supply of resources?

Physical Risks
Geopolitical Risks

What is the physical risk to the security of resources?

Considers the accessibility of resources in an area

What is the geopolitical risk to the security of resources?

Barriers provided between nation states because of tension.

Give two physical risks for resources

Any two from
- Available Technology
- Quantity of resource found
- Location
- Quality of resource found

Give two geopolitical risks for resources

Any two from
- TNC influence on government
- Confidence of trading to exert power
- Probability of war or conflict
- Concentration of product in a small area of a nation

How long are the following stages for the Mineral Resource Development Cycle?
A) Exploration
B) Construction
C) Operation
D) Closure
E) Reclaimation
F) Monitoring

A) 8 - 10 Years
B) 1 - 3 Years
C) 10 - 30 Years
D) 1 - 2 Years
E) 1 - 4 Years
F) 8+ Years

What diagram can be used to explain the concept of Resource Frontiers?

The Friedman Diagram

What does the core of the Friedman Diagram represent?

Wealth and investment, because of advantageous location and existing resources

What does the Upward Transitional Area of the Friedman Diagram Represent?

Area near the core, with natural resources and rising production. Development spreads out to here

What does the Downwards Transitional Area of the Friedman Diagram Represent?

The area that remains underdeveloped and fails to attract investment, falling behind in terms of quality of life compared to other areas.

What are some disadvantages of Resource Frontiers

- Antisocial Behaviour
- Attracts Crime and Gangs
- Conflict for work

What resources are in the Arctic?

Natural gas, oil
Iron and Gold

Why has The Arctic not been fully exploited yet?

Hard to access (80% of reserves are offshore) and challenging physical environment

Which US state in the Arctic Circle has been exploited? Why?

Alaska. Exploited because of large oil reserves in 1968 and construction of the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline.

Why has exploitation in Alaska slowed down?

Costs of extracting are too high and TNC's such as Shell pulled out.

What scale is Hubbert's Peak Oil Concept acceptable for?

Local | Individual Wells

Why does Hubbert's Peak Oil Concept work at a local scale?

Individual Wells see different peaks and troughs. They also see varying levels of consumption and demand that affects prices and therefore the amount people are willing to explore for more of the resource. (Economic Viability)

What is an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)?

An evaluation of the environmental positives and negatives that a proposed resource project will have. These are considered and a decision is given.

What is Sustainable Development?

Development that meet the needs of the current generation without compromising the needs of future generations

What is Resource Depletion?

Where a resource is consumed faster than it can be replenished

What is Supply Side Management?

Seeking methods to increase supplies. Exploration efforts. CCS technology, etc.

What is Demand Side Management?

Reducing the consumption of resources at all geographical scales.

Examples: Recycling, Changing behaviours and lifestyles.

Give three of the six stages in an EIA.

1) Outline Proposal Development
2) Description of Surrounding Area
3) Assessment of environmental impacts
4) Consideration of Modifications
5) Publication of Environmental statement
6) Decisions For / Against

Define Patterns of Production

The distribution of where resources are produced. This is typically uneven, with some countries producing lots of a particular resources and other not.

Define Patterns of Consumption

The distribution of where resources are being consumed. This is usually uneven, some countries consume more resources than others.

What are geopolitics?

Study of international relations influenced by geographical factors.

Define mineral ores

Useful elements found in rocks. Often in high concentrations which can be extracted and used.

How do primary and secondary energy resources differ?

Primary energy resources are in their raw form and have to be converted into secondary energy resources that can then be used for daily life.

Give some examples of primary and secondary energy resources.

Primary: Coal, Oil, Wind

Secondary: Petrol, Heat

What is nuclear waste?

Radioactive by-products that are very difficult and costly to safely store

What creates acid rain?

Emissions of sulphur dioxide react with water and create acidic precipitation, which is environmentally harmful

What causes the enhanced greenhouse effect?

Increased greenhouse gases from human activity, leading to accelerated warming

Define Non-Ferrous Metallic Ore

A metallic material that "Does not contain iron"

What are extraction schemes?

Projects that are proposed, designed and implemented to remove one component from a broad area of raw materials

Define Resource Supply and Demand

The balance of production and consumption of resources and the subsequent prices for customers

Define Alternative Energy

Energy sources that are renewable and have lower carbon emissions that fossil fuels

Define Resource Futures

A forecast to determine resource supply and demand in the future. Example: Water, energy and mineral deposits in 100 years

What is conventional oil and gas?

Petroleum, oil and natural gas extraction by longstanding methods. Eg, Pipes that extract the flow directly

What are unconventional oil and gas reserves?

Hydrocarbon reserves that are difficult to produce and require enhanced technologies for. Eg: Fracking

What is a cost benefit analysis?

A process by which resource decisions are analysed and opportunities are considered against challenges

Define the Energy Gap

Inequalities to access and use of energy between different people, groups and communities

What is Water Stress?

When demand for water exceeds supply during certain time periods or when quality restricts its use.

What Percentage of the global population has safely managed drinking supplies?

71%

What percentage of people lack safe access to drinking water?

10%

How many people will be living in water stress areas by 2025?

50% (Or around 4 billion)

How many people will be affected by water shortages by 2050 according to the UN?

5 billion

Define a Water Surplus

Areas where water supply exceeds demand

How much water is recommended by the WHO to ensure basic needs are met?

50 - 100 litres

What are two key issues that will impact on water security?

- Rising Populations
- Geopolitical Tension

(Credit any other valid issue)

Is the distribution of water globally similar or varied?
How do you know?

Varied
South America has 120 times more water available per person than MENA region (Example)

Do HDE's or LDE's generally have a greater proportion of water compared to the population?

HDE's - Without the exception of some parts of Europe

What Percentage of people without safe access to drinking water come from Africa and Asia?

90%

Which two areas of the world have the highest water consumption?
Which area has the lowest water consumption?

Middle East and North America have the highest
Africa has the lowest.

How many river boundaries are transboundary?
How many Aquifers are transboundary?

276 (Accept 270 or 280)
200

How many water conflict hotspots has the EU recognised?
How many countries do they cover?

60 hotspots in 50 countries

Give an example of a country that has taken action to improve access to water resources

Any of the following

Germany - 2004
Mekong Agreement (1995) - Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam
Indus River - India and Pakistan

What are two major issues associated with water as a resource?

- 99% of water is salty or frozen
- Aquifers take a long time to recharge, meaning they are a critical flow resource

Why are there issues associated with water?

- Ground Subsidence
- Water value is very low
- Water being treated as infinite

Give two options that could be taken to resolve water issues

Any two from
- Increase water prices
- Protests
- Desalination
- Conservation

What can happen to aquifers near the coastline?

Saltwater intrusion - Occurs if the water table falls too low

What can happen if too much water is removed from a water table?

Ground Subsidence

What is water scarcity

Where supplies or water cannot reach demands. Either physically or economically

What is Physical water scarcity?

Natural provision of water is unable to meet demand (Also known as water deficit)

What is Economic water scarcity?

Where populations do not have monetary means to use adequate water supplies

What are the requirements for an area to be in the following degrees of scarcity?
- Areas of water stress
- Water Scarcity
- Absolute Water Scarcity

- Supplies fall below 1700m^3 annually per person
- Supplies fall below 1000m^3 annually per person
- Supplies fall below 500m^3 annually per person

What are three areas that water can be sourced from?

- Surface water supplies
- Underground stores
- Seawater

What percentage of water use globally do the following take up?
- Agriculture
- Industry
- Domestic

- 69%
- 19%
- 12%

What is Turbid Water?

Contaminated water with chemicals, pesticides and/or sediments

What three key factors affect water supply?

1) Climate
2) Drainage
3) Geology

Give two negative impacts of over-abstraction from rivers

Any two from
- Concentrated pollutants
- Soil quality worsened (Less flooding)
- Decreased river velocity and discharge
- Impact on ecosystems

What is a reservoir?

An artificial lake where water is stored, typically behind a dam

Give two benefits of reservoirs

Any two from
- Sites of Specific Scientific Interest
- Flood Control
- HEP
- Recreational Use

Give two drawbacks of reservoirs

Any two from
- Sedimentation
- Microclimates (Less wind)
- Downstream areas impacted
- Habitat changes

What is an Artesian Well?

An area that holds groundwater under pressure. Causes water level to rise where pressure is equal.

What is the difference between a confined and unconfined aquifer?

An unconfined well has permeable rock above it, therefore it can be recharged more quickly but can be affected by drought.

A confined well however is harder to recharge and often form very slowly

What is the long name for CAMS

Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy