Advantages to recycling or reusing metals rather than mining
1). Mining mental ores is unsustainable, as the amount of metals present on Earth is fixed. However, metals recycled and reused provide new opportunities for their use without having to mine and refine more of it. 2). Issues associated with mining can be avoided, like acid mine drainage. 3). Recycling scrap metal reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced during smelting and processing operations used from mining. 4). Compared to mining, recycling metals removes the dangers of mine tailings contaminating air, soil, and water.
Negative environmental impacts of tailings
1). Tailings can leak into bodies of water and contain the chemicals used in the ore process, which would contaminate the water and cause it to be unusable. 2). Dry tailing deposits contain small chemical particles that can be carried up by the wind, and contaminate air with dangerous chemicals.
Reclamation Techniques (How do we mitigate impacts of tailings?)
1.) Replenishing native soils and grasses, cleaning excess waste, replanting trees. 2). Removing hazardous materials 3.) Restoring the topsoil/ reshaping the land. 4.) Perform proper waste disposal, opt in equipment that helps in turning waste into reusable material.
urban sprawl
The process of urban areas expanding outwards, usually in the form of suburbs, and developing over fertile agricultural land.
Environmental impacts of urban sprawl
1.) habitat loss & loss of biodiversity 2.) flooding due to impervious surfaces, less groundwater recharge, increased water pollution. 3.) Increased fossil fuel use to keep homes running, degradation of air quality. 4.) Replaces farm land
Principles of community planning
1.) Create mixed land uses 2.) Create a range of housing opportunities and choices 3.) Create walkable neighborhoods 4.) Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development 5.) Take advantage of compact building designs 6.) Foster a sense of place 7.) Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas 8.) Provide a variety of transportation options 9.) Strengthen and direct development toward existing communities 10.) Make development decisions cost effective, fair, and predictable.
ecological overshoot
using resources faster than they can regenerate
Biocapacity
the capacity of an area or ecosystem to generate an ongoing supply of resources and to absorb its wastes
ecological deficit
footprint is larger than biological capacity for replenishment
Methods of irrigation
Surface (Furrow or flood), drip
Environmental problems caused by irrigation
1.) Increase evaporation 2.) Increased erosion 3.) increased pollution of surface water and groundwater
Properties of runoff
Urban runoff carries a mixture of pollutants such as sediment, fertilizers, bacteria, metals and more. Impervious surfaces reduce the amount of runoff that soaks into soil, which often results in a lower water table and flooding.
Techniques to reduce chemical pesticide use
1.) Using GMOs 2.) Plant selection that are insect and disease resistant, crop rotation 3.) Proper sanitation 4.) Predator population against pests
Maintain soil fertility
1.) Crop rotation 2.) Green manure 3.) Limestone 4.) Rotational grazing
Solutions to reduce soil erosion
1.) Contour plowing 2.) Windbreaks 3.) Perennial crops 4.) Terracing 5.) No-till agriculture 6.) Strip Cropping
Environmental consequences of fish-farms
1.) Fish feces and waste feed contamination 2.) Spread of diseases and parasites to native populations because of high fish density 3.) Large farmed fish escape and outcompete or breed with natives
Benefits of fish farms
1.) Efficient, cost effective 2.) Requires little fuel 3.) Requires small areas of water 4.) Less habitat destruction