Limited Natural Resources - Middle School Earth and Space Science
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What is the term for lowering groundwater levels by pumping faster than recharge?
What is the term for lowering groundwater levels by pumping faster than recharge?
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Groundwater depletion. Extraction exceeds natural recharge rates.
Groundwater depletion. Extraction exceeds natural recharge rates.
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What is the definition of a fossil fuel?
What is the definition of a fossil fuel?
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Energy-rich fuel formed from ancient organic matter. Dead organisms transformed by heat and pressure over time.
Energy-rich fuel formed from ancient organic matter. Dead organisms transformed by heat and pressure over time.
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Identify the correct classification: coal, oil, and natural gas are which type of resource?
Identify the correct classification: coal, oil, and natural gas are which type of resource?
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Nonrenewable resources. Cannot be replaced on human timescales once depleted.
Nonrenewable resources. Cannot be replaced on human timescales once depleted.
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Which option best explains why recycling can extend the supply of some mineral resources?
Which option best explains why recycling can extend the supply of some mineral resources?
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It reduces the need to mine new raw materials. Reusing materials conserves finite ore deposits.
It reduces the need to mine new raw materials. Reusing materials conserves finite ore deposits.
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Which statement best explains why energy resources can be limited even if the material exists?
Which statement best explains why energy resources can be limited even if the material exists?
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Extraction and processing can become too costly or difficult. Low-grade deposits require more energy than they provide.
Extraction and processing can become too costly or difficult. Low-grade deposits require more energy than they provide.
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Which option correctly matches the time scale: formation of fossil fuels occurs on what scale?
Which option correctly matches the time scale: formation of fossil fuels occurs on what scale?
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Geologic time scale (millions of years). Petroleum and coal require millions of years to form.
Geologic time scale (millions of years). Petroleum and coal require millions of years to form.
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Identify the best explanation for why some renewable resources can still be depleted.
Identify the best explanation for why some renewable resources can still be depleted.
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They can be used faster than they naturally replenish. Overuse prevents natural systems from recovering.
They can be used faster than they naturally replenish. Overuse prevents natural systems from recovering.
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What is the term for using a resource faster than it can be naturally replaced?
What is the term for using a resource faster than it can be naturally replaced?
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Overuse (unsustainable use). Consumption exceeds natural regeneration capacity.
Overuse (unsustainable use). Consumption exceeds natural regeneration capacity.
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What is the key reason high-grade ore deposits become harder to obtain over time?
What is the key reason high-grade ore deposits become harder to obtain over time?
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The easiest, richest deposits are mined first. Mining depletes accessible deposits progressively.
The easiest, richest deposits are mined first. Mining depletes accessible deposits progressively.
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What is a renewable resource (in Earth science terms)?
What is a renewable resource (in Earth science terms)?
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A resource replenished on human time scales if managed well. Natural processes restore it within human lifespans.
A resource replenished on human time scales if managed well. Natural processes restore it within human lifespans.
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Identify the human activity that most directly limits resources by permanently changing land into roads and buildings.
Identify the human activity that most directly limits resources by permanently changing land into roads and buildings.
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Urbanization (land development). Permanent conversion eliminates resource availability.
Urbanization (land development). Permanent conversion eliminates resource availability.
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What is a nonrenewable resource?
What is a nonrenewable resource?
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A resource replaced slower than it is used, so it can run out. Consumption outpaces natural replenishment rates.
A resource replaced slower than it is used, so it can run out. Consumption outpaces natural replenishment rates.
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Identify the term for using groundwater faster than it is naturally recharged.
Identify the term for using groundwater faster than it is naturally recharged.
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Groundwater depletion (overpumping). Extraction exceeds natural recharge rate of aquifers.
Groundwater depletion (overpumping). Extraction exceeds natural recharge rate of aquifers.
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What term describes removing groundwater faster than it is naturally recharged?
What term describes removing groundwater faster than it is naturally recharged?
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Groundwater overdraft. Pumping exceeds natural refill rate.
Groundwater overdraft. Pumping exceeds natural refill rate.
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What is the main reason most metallic mineral ores are considered nonrenewable?
What is the main reason most metallic mineral ores are considered nonrenewable?
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Ore deposits form extremely slowly and exist in finite amounts. Geological processes concentrate metals over eons.
Ore deposits form extremely slowly and exist in finite amounts. Geological processes concentrate metals over eons.
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What term describes the total amount of a resource that exists, including undiscovered deposits?
What term describes the total amount of a resource that exists, including undiscovered deposits?
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Resource. Resources include all deposits, whether discovered, accessible, or economical to extract.
Resource. Resources include all deposits, whether discovered, accessible, or economical to extract.
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Which environmental effect can make a resource effectively limited by restricting access to it?
Which environmental effect can make a resource effectively limited by restricting access to it?
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Pollution or habitat protection can reduce usable supply. Environmental regulations can make some deposits off-limits despite technical feasibility.
Pollution or habitat protection can reduce usable supply. Environmental regulations can make some deposits off-limits despite technical feasibility.
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What term describes the amount of a resource that is known and can be mined profitably?
What term describes the amount of a resource that is known and can be mined profitably?
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Reserve. Reserves are proven deposits that can be extracted with current technology and prices.
Reserve. Reserves are proven deposits that can be extracted with current technology and prices.
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What is the main reason many mineral resources are limited in supply?
What is the main reason many mineral resources are limited in supply?
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Earth has a finite amount of economically recoverable ore. Only deposits that can be extracted profitably count as available supply.
Earth has a finite amount of economically recoverable ore. Only deposits that can be extracted profitably count as available supply.
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Which time-scale comparison best explains why fossil fuels are nonrenewable?
Which time-scale comparison best explains why fossil fuels are nonrenewable?
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They form over millions of years but are used in decades. Geological formation requires millions of years while human use takes only decades.
They form over millions of years but are used in decades. Geological formation requires millions of years while human use takes only decades.
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Which term names the rate at which humans use a natural resource?
Which term names the rate at which humans use a natural resource?
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Consumption (use) rate. Measures how fast humans extract and use the resource.
Consumption (use) rate. Measures how fast humans extract and use the resource.
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What is the definition of a nonrenewable resource in Earth science?
What is the definition of a nonrenewable resource in Earth science?
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A resource that forms far more slowly than it is used. Formation rate is geological while consumption rate is human-scale.
A resource that forms far more slowly than it is used. Formation rate is geological while consumption rate is human-scale.
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What is the definition of an ore?
What is the definition of an ore?
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Rock containing enough valuable mineral to mine profitably. Economic viability determines if extraction is worthwhile.
Rock containing enough valuable mineral to mine profitably. Economic viability determines if extraction is worthwhile.
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What is the definition of depletion when discussing natural resources?
What is the definition of depletion when discussing natural resources?
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Using a resource faster than it can be replaced. Consumption exceeds natural replenishment rate.
Using a resource faster than it can be replaced. Consumption exceeds natural replenishment rate.
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Which statement best explains why high-grade ore deposits become harder to find over time?
Which statement best explains why high-grade ore deposits become harder to find over time?
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The easiest, richest deposits are mined first. Economic mining targets highest concentrations first.
The easiest, richest deposits are mined first. Economic mining targets highest concentrations first.
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