C10 - Using Resources

• What is sustainable development?

  Meeting current needs without compromising future generations
• What is the primary goal of sustainable development?

  To balance current needs with future resource availability
• What is potable water?

  Safe to drink water
• How is potable water produced in the UK?

  Filtering, sterilizing fresh water sources
• What are the three main steps in producing potable water in the UK?

  • Choosing an appropriate source of fresh water
  • Passing the water through filter beds to remove any solids
  • Sterilising to kill microbes
• Name one type of sterilising agent for potable water?

  Chlorine
• Why does the amount of chlorine added to water need to be carefully monitored?

  Chlorine is a toxic gas
• What is an advantage of using ultraviolet light to sterilize water compared to chlorine?

  Avoids adding chemicals to water
• What is a disadvantage of using ultraviolet light to sterilize water?

  It is more expensive
• Name one way desalination can be carried out?

  Distillation
• Why does desalination require large amounts of energy?

  The processes used require energy
• What type of substance is blocked by the membrane in reverse osmosis?

  Water molecules
• Why does reverse osmosis require high pressure?

  To push water through the membrane
• Why does the high pressure in reverse osmosis require a lot of energy to produce?

  High pressure requires lots of energy
• Why is wastewater treated before being released into the environment?

  To remove pollutants and contaminants
• What are the key components that need to be removed from sewage and agricultural wastewater?

  • Organic matter
  • Harmful microbes
• What might industrial wastewater require removing?

  Harmful chemicals
• What are the main processes involved in sewage treatment?

  • Screening and grit removal
  • Sedimentation to produce sewage sludge and effluent
  • Anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge
  • Aerobic biological treatment of effluent
• What is an advantage of new mining methods over traditional mining?

  Avoids moving large amounts of rock
• What does phytomining use to absorb metal compounds from the soil?

  Plants
• In phytomining, what happens to the plants after they absorb metal compounds?

  They are harvested and burned
• What is produced when plants are burned in phytomining?

  Ash containing metal compounds
• What is used in bioleaching to produce leachate solutions?

  Bacteria
• What do leachate solutions contain in bioleaching?

  Metal compounds
• What is a disadvantage of phytomining and bioleaching?

  They are slow to carry out
• What is an advantage of phytomining and bioleaching?

  They need less energy
• What is assessed in Life Cycle Assessments?

  Environmental impact of products
• What stages are included in Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)?

  • Extracting and processing raw materials
  • Manufacturing and packaging
  • Use and operation during its lifetime
  • Disposal at the end of its useful life, including transport and distribution at each stage.
• What does reducing, reusing, and recycling materials accomplish?

  Reduces use of limited resources
• What is the main aim of reducing, reusing, and recycling materials?

  To reduce environmental impacts
• What is a disadvantage of recycling?

  Transport problems/cost of transport
• What are some advantages of recycling?

  • Less acid rain (pollution)
  • Metal ore reserves last longer / conserved
  • Energy for extraction saved
  • Less mining / quarrying
  • Less waste
  • Less landfill
  • Creates local employment
• What is the name for the destruction of materials by chemical reactions with substances in the environment?

  Corrosion
• What is one way to prevent corrosion?

  Applying a coating
• How does a coating prevent corrosion?

  Acts as a barrier
• Why is zinc used to galvanise iron?

  Zinc is more reactive than iron
• What happens when galvanised iron is scratched?

  Zinc provides sacrificial protection
• What two metals is bronze an alloy of?

  Copper and tin
• What are bronze used for?

  Making statues
• What two metals is brass an alloy of?

  Copper and zinc