ESCI 1103 Human Planet - Lab Final Exam Review

Sinuosity

The measurement of how much a river meanders, represented as a ratio between the length of the river and the straight-line distance from start to end.

Lithic

Relating to stone; in archaeology, refers to stone tools or fragments that provide insight into prehistoric tool-making technologies.

Core

A block or nodule of raw stone from which flakes are removed during knapping, showing how tools were shaped over time.

Primary flake

A flake struck early in the knapping process that retains part of the original rock surface, used to determine the start of tool production.

Secondary flake

A flake removed after primary flakes that shows previous flake scars and indicates further shaping or thinning.

Tertiary flake

A small, final-stage flake used for fine shaping, retouching, or sharpening, typically very thin and lacking cortex.

Calcium carbonate

A white mineral that reacts with hydrochloric acid; in soils, indicates leaching and accumulation processes, especially in B and C horizons.

Galena

A dense metallic mineral composed of lead sulfide (PbS), historically important for extracting lead and used in early cosmetics.

Chert

A fine-grained, hard sedimentary rock made of microcrystalline quartz, ideal for making sharp tools like arrowheads.

Granite

A coarse-grained igneous rock rich in quartz and feldspar, used as a durable construction material.

Potassium

An essential nutrient in soils, vital for plant growth and plays a role in water regulation and photosynthesis.

O Horizon

The organic layer of soil composed of decomposed plant and animal material, found in forested or undisturbed areas.

A Horizon

Topsoil, dark in color due to organic matter, is the zone of leaching where minerals are dissolved and carried downward.

B Horizon

The subsoil layer, reddish or tan in color due to the accumulation of materials like clay, iron, or calcium carbonate.

C Horizon

Layer of weathered parent material with minimal soil development, often including rock fragments.

R Horizon

Consolidated bedrock beneath the soil profile, not considered part of true soil.

Plasticity

The ability of the soil to retain a shape after being molded, with high plasticity soils typically rich in clay.

Stickiness

The degree to which moist soil adheres to fingers, indicating clay content and water-holding capacity.

Texture

The relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles in soil; loam is considered ideal for agriculture.

Color - Munsell Color Chart

A standardized color chart used to assess soil hue, value, and chroma, helping determine mineral content and organic matter.

Impacts of Mining on Humans and the Environment

Mining alters landscapes, introduces pollutants, and affects water quality, with reclamation efforts helping mitigate long-term impacts.

Impacts of Drought on Humans and the Environment

Leads to water shortages for agriculture and consumption, increases wildfire risks, and can stress water infrastructure.

California Drought and Governmental Regulations

The drought starting in 2011 severely affected water availability and agricultural output.

Government agencies monitor aquifers and surface water, enforce conservation laws, and provide emergency responses.

Local Aquifer and Location of Old Landfill

The Memphis Aquifer is a deep, confined artesian aquifer known for high water quality.

The Shelby County landfill, located near Walnut Grove and the Wolf River, posed a risk of contaminating the shallow aquifer.

Groundwater flow mapping is used to assess contamination threats and monitor aquifer health.

Flint, Michigan

In 2014, Flint switched its water source from Detroit to the Flint River without proper treatment.

The corrosive river water caused lead to leach from aging pipes.

Health effects included lead poisoning in children, developmental delays, and long-term public distrust.

The incident highlighted the importance of proper water treatment, infrastructure investment, and government accountability.