Earth’s resources

• What are finite natural resources?

  Resources that are used up before replacement
• What does it mean for natural resources to be reusable?

  They can be replaced at the same rate used
• What are biofuels made from?

  Sugar cane and other organic materials
• What is the primary material used to make polymers?

  Ethene
• How can polymers be made from ethanol?

  Using fermentation from sugar cane
• What is the environmental benefit of using wood chips instead of fossil fuels?

  It supports the planting of new trees
• What is the difference between potable and pure water?

  Potable water is fit to drink
• What is distilled water?

  Water that has been purified by boiling
• What is the process of obtaining potable water from rainwater?

  It seeps through the ground into aquifers
• What happens to water as it seeps through the ground?

  It dissolves substances and becomes mineral-rich
• What are the stages of water treatment?

  Screening, coagulation, filtration, chlorination
• What is the purpose of chlorination in water treatment?

  To sterilize and kill harmful microbes
• What is desalination?

  Removing salt from seawater to make it drinkable
• What is flash distillation?

  Boiling water at lower pressure
• What is reverse osmosis?

  A method using membranes to separate substances
• Why is recycling aluminum important?

  It conserves Earth's aluminum ore reserves
• What is the process of extracting aluminum from ore?

  Using electrolysis at high temperatures
• How much energy can recycling aluminum save?

  95% of the energy required
• What is a common use for recycled iron and steel?

  Making tin cans
• Why are iron and steel recyclable?

  They are magnetic and can be reused
• What is the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels?

  It produces sulfur dioxide and carbon emissions
• What is the process of recycling copper?

  Melting and reusing it through electrolysis
• What are the stages of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

  • Extracting raw materials
  • Processing materials
  • Manufacturing products
  • Distribution and use
  • Disposal at end of life
• What are the environmental impacts considered in an LCA?

  • Energy use
  • Water resources
  • Waste production
  • Emissions to the environment
• What are the benefits of recycling materials?

  • Conserves natural resources
  • Reduces energy consumption
  • Minimizes waste in landfills
  • Lowers pollution levels
• What are the environmental considerations in recycling processes?

  • Energy needed for processing
  • Emissions produced during recycling
  • Waste generated from recycling
  • Impact on natural resources
• What are the types of materials commonly recycled?

  • Metals (aluminum, steel, copper)
  • Glass
  • Plastics
  • Ceramics
• What are the potential health issues related to recycling?

  • Exposure to hazardous materials
  • Respiratory problems from dust
  • Chemical exposure during processing
  • Injuries from machinery