the earths resources

• what do humans use earth resources for?

  warmth, shelter, food and transport
• what other resources do humans use?

  agriculture, providing food, timber, clothing and feuls
• what is a finite resource?

  A resource that is limited in quantity and will eventually run out.
• what is meant by sustainable development?

  development that meets the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
• what is meant by potable water?

  Safe for drinking
• is potable water pure?

  no
• why is potable water not pure?

  it contains dissolved substances so is not 100% hydrogen and water
• what can be used to steralise water?

  Chlorine, boiling, UV light
• what process is used if fresh water supply is limited?

  Desalination
• what is the method of desalinisation?

  Reverse osmosis or distillation
• which lifestyle produces large amounts of waste?

  urban lifestyles
• what needs to be removed from waste water?

  organic matter, harmful microbes
• what needs to be removed fromiindustrial watse water?

  organic matter, harmful chemicals
• what are the steps of sewage treatment?

  screening and grit removal

  sedimentation

  anaerobic respiration of sewage sludge

  aerobic respiration of effluent
• what are the two ways of extracting low grade ores?

  phytomining and bioleeching
• how does Phytomining work?

  Plants absorb metals compounds from soil, which are then harvested and extracted by burning them for metal recovery.
• how does bioleeching work?

  it uses bacteria to produce leachate solutions that contain dissolved metal compounds, this can then be obtained by using electrolysis
• why are life cycle assessments carried out?

  To assess environmental impacts in each of the following stages:

  extracting and processing raw materials

  manufacturing and packaging

  uses and operation during its lifetime

  disposal at the end of it useful life
• what are some ways to reduce resources?

  reduce reuse and recycle

  reuse glass bottles

  some metals can be recycled (but can be difficult and energy intensive)