1. Resource Extraction

2. Starter
2. What is a significant problem with using nuclear fission as a domestic energy resource?
The waste produced is generally long lived and harmful to living things.
Nuclear fission releases large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Nuclear fission only produces a small amount of energy per mass of material used.
There are no natural sources of fissionable material to be found in the United States.
1. What is one result of widespread crop irrigation in desert regions in the western United States?
spread of disease
lower rainfall amounts
increased salt levels in soil
rising groundwater tables

3. Obtaining Resources
In order to obtain resources humans must utilize one of the following methods
Harvesting – Wood, Peat
Mining – Coal, Uranium/Plutonium
Drilling – Oil, Natural Gas
Each method has an impact on the lithosphere and the environment

4. Wood Harvesting Trees are harvested and cut down in order to provide:
Paper
Lumber
Plywood
Furniture
Provides resources for humans however it destroys ecosystems
Oxygen will decrease, Carbon Dioxide will increase

5. Peat Harvesting
Peat is harvested and used to add nutrients and other chemicals to soils to make them more fertile
Peat is renewable however does disrupt ecosystems

6. Coal Mining There are 2 major methods of coal mining: Surface Mining
Underground mining
Coal mining is harmful to the environment because:
It disrupts the landscape of the lithosphere  Causes erosion
Leaves behind toxic substances  Pollute air and water

8. Uranium/Plutonium Mining
There are 3 methods for mining Uranium and Plutonium:
Open Pit Mining
Underground Mining
In-Situ Leaching
All of these methods create health risks for workers

10. Oil Drilling
Oil is contained inside of rocks that prevent it from escaping (Oil Traps)
Oil rigs are used to drill inside of the rocks and pump the oil out
Concerns about oil drilling:
Oil spills – Could destroy ecosystems and affect wildlife

12. Natural Gas Drilling Natural gas is obtained from hydrofracking
Rock near the bottom of a well is broken up
Used in order to increase the flow of natural gas from the well
Environmental Effects:
Accidents can cause hazardous chemicals to escape
Produces waste that must be disposed of