Deck 12: Mineral and Soil Resources

Question 1

Lava is to volcano as tsunami is to ___.

A)tornado
B)cyclone
C)firestorm
D)earthquake

Answer 1

earthquake

Question 2

Which of the following is a nonmetallic mineral

A)iron
B)aluminum
C)salt
D)nickel

Answer 2

salt

Question 3

What is the difference between a rock and an ore

A)Rocks have varied chemical composition; ores contain a large concentration of a particular mineral.
B)Rocks contain only nonmetallic minerals; ores contain only metallic minerals.
C)Rocks are easily accessible but always non-profitable to extract; ores are inaccessible but always profitable to extract.
D)Rocks are not good conductors of heat and electricity; ores are good conductors of heat and electricity.

Answer 3

Rocks have varied chemical composition; ores contain a large concentration of a particular mineral.

Question 4

What caused acid precipitation at Copper Basin,Tennessee

A)strip mining
B)open-air smelting
C)livestock grazing
D)industrial development

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT an important mineral

A)sulfur
B)water
C)iron
D)aluminum

Question 6

When do earthquakes occur

A)During rockfalls.
B)When rocks shift or break and allow magma to push up words,releasing energy and heat.
C)As rocks shift or break releasing energy vibrations that travel to the earth's surface.
D)Rocks shift displacing water that results in tsunamis.

Question 7

What is the relationship between locations of earthquakes and plate tectonics

A)Earthquakes frequently happen where landmasses are on the boundary between two plates.
B)Energy accumulated from the push and stretch of rocks as plates move horizontally across Earth's surface is released as seismic waves during an earthquake.
C)Earthquakes occur along fault zones.
D)All of the above constitute a relationship between earthquakes and plate tectonics.

Question 8

The Earth's outermost rigid rock layer the ___ is composed of plates that float on the ___,the region of the mantle where rocks become hot and soft.

A)upper mantle…inner core
B)asthenosphere…lower mantle
C)plate boundary…lithosphere
D)lithosphere…asthenosphere

Question 9

How are San Francisco,California,and Mount Saint Helens,Washington related

A)Both lie on a geological plate boundary.
B)Both are part of the same mountain range.
C)They were formed by the same volcanic event.
D)Both are regions of upwelling.

Question 10

Formation of sedimentary rock results from which of the following processes

A)There is no such process,as rocks cannot be transformed from one type into another.
B)Igneous or metamorphic rock weathers and erodes and is transported and compacted.
C)Metamorphic rock melts and is heated under great pressure.
D)Magma rises to the surface of the earth and cools and solidifies.

Question 11

Volcanoes are commonly found: 1.above hot spots.
2)where land masses on two different plates come together.
3)along subduction zones.

A)1 only
B)2 only
C)3 only
D)1 and 3

Question 12

When magma rises to the surface of the earth,it cools and solidifies to form ___ rock,but the rock that forms from altering other rocks through intense heat and pressure is ___ rock.

A)igneous…sedimentary
B)metamorphic…igneous
C)sedimentary…metamorphic
D)igneous…metamorphic

Question 13

The environmental impact of mining related activities in the Copper Basin,Tennessee region involved all of the following EXCEPT:

A)destruction of nearby aquatic communities.
B)deforestation.
C)acid precipitation.
D)no exceptions,all of the above occurred in the Copper Basin area.

Question 14

When small fragments of eroded rocks or marine organisms are compacted together it forms:

A)igneous rock
B)metamorphic rock
C)sedimentary rock
D)mineral ores

Question 15

A rock that contains a large enough concentration of a particular mineral to profitably mine and extract is called:

A)a sedimentary rock
B)slag
C)a metal
D)an ore

Question 16

Subduction occurs:

A)when one tectonic plate slides underneath another.
B)due to mining activities.
C)because of the Coriolis effect.
D)on the leeward side of a mountain.

Question 17

Minerals that are usually malleable,good conductors of heat and electricity,and lustrous are called:

A)high-grade ores
B)low-grade ores
C)nonmetals
D)metals

Question 18

Elements or compounds of elements that occur naturally in the Earth's crust are called:

A)gems.
B)ores.
C)minerals.
D)metals.

Question 19

The West Coast of the United States has many volcanoes and earthquakes.What is a logical conclusion about the geology of this area
a)The area is composed mainly of sedimentary rocks.
b)The area is composed mainly of metamorphic rocks.
c)The area is located close to tectonic activity.
d)The area used to be a shallow inland sea.

Question 20

While hiking you read a sign along the trail that explains this area had several active volcanoes 10,000 years ago.What kind of rocks do you expect to find

A)Sedimentary
B)Igneous
C)Metamorphic
D)Magma

Question 21

The hill of loose rock produced as a by-product of strip mining is known as:

A)overburden.
B)a spoil bank.
C)an open pit.
D)acid mine drainage.

Question 22

A highly toxic substance now being used to extract gold from low-grade ore is:

A)arsenic.
B)mercury.
C)cyanide.
D)sodium.

Question 23

Subsurface mining may be accomplished using:

A)shaft mining and open-pit mining
B)open-pit mining and slope mining
C)slope mining and strip mining
D)shaft mining and slope mining

Question 24

Which of the following statements about the nature of global mineral use is FALSE

A)Highly developed nations like the United States and Canada have less than 6% of the world population but consume more than 25% of the world's metals.
B)Many of the world's top mineral producers are highly developed countries such as the United States,Canada,Australia,and Russia.
C)Both mineral production and mineral consumption in China is on the rise as the country industrializes - for example,China both produces and consumes about 34% of the world's primary aluminum (aluminum obtained from ores ).
D)No false statement,all statements are true about the nature of global mineral use.

Question 25

Which of the following processes explains how soil is formed from parent material:

A)nutrient cycling.
B)decomposing of organic waste.
C)weathering processes.
D)erosion of steep slopes.

Question 26

In soil formation,the parent material provides:

A)humus
B)minerals
C)water-holding capacity
D)mycorrhizae

Question 27

The removal of dissolved minerals from the soil as water moves downward is called:

A)erosion
B)leaching
C)deposition
D)decomposition

Question 28

In mining,overburden refers to:

A)the hill of loose rock created when the soil and rock from a new trench is put into the already excavated trench during strip mining.
B)the mineral resources that are extracted from deep underground deposits.
C)the soil and rock overlying a useful mineral deposit.
D)the mineral resources that are extracted near Earth's surface by first removing the soil,subsoil,and overlying rock strata.

Question 29

What would be the MOST LIKELY reason for derelict land not to undergo reclamation

A)There is no topsoil left to reclaim.
B)The soil is too toxic to support native vegetation.
C)The ore removed was not coal,so federal regulations do not require reclamation.
D)Environmentalists ignored the problem.

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT an environmental impact of mining

A)Eutrophication of waterways
B)Groundwater depletion
C)Soil erosion
D)Acid mine drainage

Question 31

Soil is composed of:

A)mineral particles
B)organic materials
C)air
D)all of the above

Question 32

Which of the following identifies a method used to separate impurities from molten metal

A)tailings
B)phytoremediation
C)mine drainage
D)smelting

Question 33

Which of the following minerals is INCORRECTLY paired with its use(s)

A)aluminum - electrical wiring
B)iron - steel
C)sand - glass and concrete
D)sulfur - making plastics and wallboard

Question 34

What is the MAIN requirement of reclaiming land degraded by any type of mining operation

A)To restore them to the same type of ecosystem that existed before mining began on that site.
B)To stabilize the soil so that further degradation does not occur.
C)To create areas for housing subdivisions.
D)To comply with federal law.

Question 35

Which of the following is/are EXTERNAL costs of mining

A)Energy costs of refining the mineral ores.
B)Pollution costs of disposing mine tailings.
C)Salary costs for mine workers.
D)Exploration costs to locate mineral deposits.

Question 36

Why might an environmentalist argue that gold is an expensive metal

A)Because gold is more valuable than titanium or platinum.
B)Because the demand for gold is skyrocketing due to increasing wealth in developing countries.
C)Because gold supplies are mostly depleted so prices are higher.
D)Because huge quantities of water are used.

Question 37

Humus is composed of:

A)weathered rocks.
B)glacial debris.
C)iron and aluminum compounds.
D)decaying organic matter.

Question 38

Which of the following statements about soil is NOT TRUE

A)Soil consists of mineral and organic matter modified by the natural actions of agents such as weather,wind,water,and organisms.
B)Soil formation is a continuous process that takes a long time,sometimes thousands of years,both because the process of rock disintegrating into fine mineral particles is slow,and time is also required for organic material to accumulate in the soil.
C)An area's terrain influences soil formation -- steep slopes encourage soil formation and accumulation while valleys discourage the formation of deep soils.
D)Minerals,the main component of soil,provide anchorage and essential nutrient minerals for plants,as well as pore space for water and air.

Question 39

The layer of soil rich in organic material but is subject to leaching is ___ or the ___.

A)topsoil…A- horizon
B)subsoil…B- horizon.
C)weathered parent material…C- horizon.
D)litter…O- horizon.

Question 40

Which of the following statements about mining is FALSE

A)Subsurface mining disturbs the land less than surface mining.
B)Working in open-pit mines is safer for mine workers than shaft mines,
C)One of the most significant environmental impacts of mineral production is the associated energy usage especially as most of the energy in mining is fossil fuel based.
D)Acid mine drainage is a pollution problem only where the coal mines are located.

Question 41

What is the usual cause of salinization in soils

A)High-level of naturally occurring salts in soils.
B)Growing nitrogen-fixing plants.
C)Over use of fertilizers and pesticides.
D)Over use of irrigation.

Question 42

What is one of the BEST reasons to switch to conservation tillage

A)No new equipment needs to be bought.
B)Decomposing organic matter releases nutrients into the soil.
C)Herbicides are not needed.
D)It is what the majority of farmers use in the United States.

Question 43

Any physical or chemical change in soil that adversely affects the health of plants and other organisms living in or on the soil is called:

A)soil erosion
B)salinization
C)leaching
D)soil pollution

Question 44

Which of the following represents an "ecosystem service" performed by soil organisms

A)Maintaining soil fertility by decomposing and cycling organic material.
B)Providing minerals by assisting in weathering.
C)Altering topography by amplifying erosion.
D)Preserving toxic materials by situating toxins into encapsulated structures.

Question 45

Which of the following statements about nutrient cycling is TRUE

A)Bacteria and fungi are involved in nutrient cycling as they decompose detritus transforming large organic molecules into small inorganic molecules,including carbon dioxide,water,and nutrient minerals like nitrates.
B)Nutrient cycling is the pathway of various nutrient minerals or elements from the environment through organisms and back to the environment.
C)Nonliving processes are also involved in nutrient cycling,such as the weathering of the parent material replaces some nutrient minerals lost through erosion.
D)All of the above statements are true about nutrient cycling.

Question 46

Increased soil erosion may be caused by all of the following EXCEPT:

A)construction of buildings.
B)construction of roads.
C)construction of shelterbelts.
D)clearcutting large forested areas.

Question 47

The use of conventional tillage causes soil loss mainly because it:

A)levels and compacts soil.
B)runs furrows along the natural contours of the land.
C)removes plant cover.
D)covers the seeds.

Question 48

Planting the same crop year after year:

A)increases damage by insects and disease.
B)decreases soil erosion.
C)does not deplete essential nutrients from the soil.
D)will slowly increase crop yields.

Question 49

What is the most likely source of sediment accumulation in a stream adjacent to a farm field

A)Eutrophication
B)Soil erosion
C)Acid mine drainage
D)Salinization

Question 50

Which of the following statements BEST describes a comparison of erosion and weathering processes

A)Erosion results in soil loss while weathering results in soil formation.
B)Erosion results in soil creation while weathering results in soil loss.
C)Both processes result in soil formation.
D)Neither process results in soil formation.

Question 51

The difference between crop rotation and strip cropping is:

A)In strip cropping,the crops are alternated by size.In crop rotation,the crops are alternated by color.
B)In strip cropping,one crop is exposed and the other covered.In crop rotation,dual crops form concentric circles.
C)In strip cropping,one crop transforms into the other by genetic seed manipulation.In crop rotation,each crop is alternated according to the type of pollinator required.
D)In strip cropping,the crops are alternated by row.In crop rotation,the crops are alternated by years.

Question 52

A major problem with conservation tillage is:

A)the soil becomes compact.
B)soil erosion increases.
C)it increases insect populations.
D)it requires greater use of herbicides to control weeds.

Question 53

The layer of soil that contains mostly weathered parent material is ___ or the ___.

A)topsoil…A- horizon
B)subsoil…B- horizon.
C)weathered parent material…C- horizon.
D)litter…O- horizon.

Question 54

How is soil different from crushed rock

A)Soil forms through leaching whereas crushed rock forms due to erosion.
B)Only soil holds water,only crushed rock holds air.
C)Soil contains humus whereas crushed rock does not.
D)Soil is composed of weathered parent material whereas crushed rock is not.

Question 55

Soil erosion:

A)may result in decreased water quality for fishes and other aquatic organisms.
B)does not reduce the fertility of the soil,just the quantity.
C)is exclusively linked to human activities.
D)is not affected by the extent of plant cover.

Question 56

Soil erosion is primarily attributed to:

A)wildfires,surplus soil organisms and dense vegetation.
B)poor agricultural practices,overgrazing and deforestation.
C)weathering,excessive tillage and coastal location.
D)exhaustion of parent material,severe climate and leaching.

Question 57

What would be a good way to prevent further soil erosion

A)Planting trees and perennial plants
B)Installing retaining walls
C)Increasing fertilizer use
D)Desalinization of soil

Question 58

The soil layer that accumulates leached nutrients and minerals is called ___ or the ___.

A)topsoil…A- horizon
B)subsoil…B- horizon.
C)weathered parent material…C- horizon.
D)litter…O- horizon.

Question 59

Contour plowing,strip cropping,and terracing are soil conservation methods that are BEST suited to which of the following situations

A)Arid soils prone to salinization
B)Nitrogen depleted soils
C)Reclaimed mine areas
D)Soils located on slopes

Question 60

Topsoil is lost annually (i.e.,soil erosion),PRIMARILY due to:

A)poor agricultural practices.
B)global warming.
C)natural processes.
D)soil mining.

Question 61

What percentage of the earth's land area is suitable for agriculture

A)1%
B)6%
C)11%
D)27%

Question 62

The TWO main reasons that certain areas are not suitable for agriculture are:

A)soil is too dry and soil has chemical problems (e.g.salinization)
B)soil is too shallow and soil is too wet
C)soil is too wet and soil is too dry
D)soil is frozen and soil has chemical problems (e.g.salinization)

Question 63

In the United States,agricultural practices have been modified in support of soil conservation.What are the specific problems with conventional agriculture practices
What policies have been implemented to improve soil conservation

Question 64

Besides being a precious metal used to make jewelry,gold is also considered a very expensive metal,environmentally speaking.What makes gold so environmentally costly

Question 65

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)is a voluntary subsidy program that pays farmers to stop producing crops on highly erodible farmland.Instead farmers are required to:

A)strip crop native plants with grain crops on the erodible land.
B)plant native grasses or trees on the highly erodible land and then "retire" it from further use for 10 to 15 years,
C)develop and adopt a 5-year conservation plan for their farms that includes erosion-control measures,and if they do not comply,they lose federal agricultural subsidies such as price supports
D)plant shelterbelts to reduce the impact of wind erosion

Question 66

Compare surface mining to subsurface mining for extracting minerals.Include in your comparison a)the circumstances under which each given method is used,b)the ways in which the mining is done,c)the environmental impact of each mining process,and c)steps needed to reclaim the site after this type of mining has occurred.

Question 67

What is a mineral
Compare and contrast the properties and uses of metallic and nonmetallic minerals.Include in your discussion three examples of metallic minerals and three examples of nonmetallic minerals.

Question 68

What is humus
Briefly explain why it is important for the soil.

Question 69

What is a rock
Describe the different types of rocks to be found on the Earth's surface and explain how each type is formed.

Question 70

Identify the major components of soil and discuss the role of each in the support of living organisms.