A. Planet Earth is our only home for the time being. As global populations grow
ID: 802576 • Letter: A
Question
A. Planet Earth is our only home for the time being. As global populations grow and our resources dwindle, we should worry more about the issues of a. Scarcity and Choice.
i. List the 5 most critical nonrenewable resources,
ii. (do not use the following: 1. oil of any kind, 2. any kind of fossil fuel including coal, or natural gas, 3. timber, 4. or Uranium) a. Do some research on critical nonrenewable resources and make your list. Check out the 17 rare earth elements, or some of the items in the periodic table.
B. The theory of rational behavior says that we humans act in our
own self-interest. Given our actual behavior and the decisions
we have and are continuing to make relative to the planet,
please:
i. Explain how over-pumping aquifers around the world is in
our best interest.
1. Define over-pumping.
2. Explain how the continued over-pumping of
aquifers in America, China, and India, could
impact our ability to survive on the planet?
3. Discuss 3 things we can do to stop the over-
pumping problem. Focus on the top uses of water
in the world. Hint – personal use is not one of them.
iii. For each of the 5, explain why it is critical to human survival on the planet, 1. Discuss why those nonrenewable resources are so critical to us. Please be thorough.
iv. For each of the 5, discuss 3 choices we need to be making today relative to that nonrenewable resource, to prolong our comfortable existence on the planet. 1. Discuss the implications of your choices, both positive and negative.
Explanation / Answer
The non renewable resources are 1)Earth minerals 2) metal ores 3)tar sand 4)Green energy 5)elements used for the production of metals. 6)Non metals 7)Energy
1) Earth minerals are scarce in world. They are non renewable resources..As they once used they cannot be recycled for the maximum use.
examples of earth minerals are : Iron , copper , silver , gold
2)Metal ores : metal ores are mainly used to prepare metals that are used for the industrial purpose and in the mining purposes and also to prepare various materials and vehicles.So now a days their used is extending to maximum as the population of the present world is more the use of the metal ore and mining has been increasing.
Examples of metals are bronze , brass , platinum
3)Tar sand : It is a type of sand which is used in large amount by the chineese.It is one of the earth mineral.
4)Green energy : Green energy is one of the non renewable resource. Green energy is now a days consuming for the purpose of making industrial materials.
5)Elements used for the production of metal products : There are many elements used for the production of metals. examples are Brass is made up of Iron and zinc.These are all non renewable resources.
6)Non metals : Gypsum
7)Energy : what ever energy is used it cannot be regained.
Other non renewable resources in the periodic table are the following
1)Iron : Iron is used for many purposes of makings.Example steel.Useage of Iron is more all over the world.
2)Copper : Copper usage is also more in Electricity purpose.
3)Lead
4)Silver : silver is one of the important metal used by the all over world people.
5)Tin
6)Gold :Gold is very precious metal.
7)Aluminum :It is well used in Industry purpose.
8)Yttrium
10)platinum
11)Bauxite 12)metal : major exports in US and China
13)Steel
14)Titanium
15)Brass :Made up of Zinc and Iron
16)Bronze
17)Phosphate
18)limestone
19)Gypsum
Over pumping Aquifers : definition : Over pumping aquifers means pumping of water from the Aquifers for the daily needs and for some other purposes.
Problems : Due to over pumping aquifers the ground water depletion occurs.Ground water depletion defined as long - term water - level decline caused by sustained Ground water pumping is an issue associated with ground water use. Many areas in US is experiencing Ground water depletion.
Excessive Over pumping can over draw the Ground water :
1)Drying of wells
2) Reduction of water in streams and lakes
3) deterioration of water quality
4) Increased pumping costs
5)land subsidence
How the over pumping is difficult for the humans to survive on the Earth :
1)Lowering of Water table : excess of pumping causes the water table to decrease hence causes the water to decrease and the aquifer will be drained if it continues.
Reduction of water in Streams and lakes :There is an interaction between the streams and lakes and the ground water aquifers.As the water flowing in the rivers will get from seepage of Ground water into the stream bed.
Ground water contributes to stream in physiographic and climatic settings.
Ground water depletion in US :Chicago area : Using ground water aquifers since 1864.
It is the soul source for drinking purposes in the US.About 8.2 million peoples were using Ground water.So the over pumping exists and caused the lowering of the water to depth of 900 feet .So their exists the scarcity of Ground water.
Over pumping aquifers : problems in India : In India the ground water is used for the agriculture purpose.So excess of pumping exists for agriculture purpose.Hence the water depletion is also existing due to the over pumping in India.
Over pumping in China: In China pumping aquifers are used more for the cultivation purpose.Beijing's Geological Environmental Monitoring Institute done a survey in China on the over pumping.About 70% of ground water since 1900 has been decreasing .