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Natural Resources
Water resource issues & trends
Scale of mineral and energy resource use
Major energy sources
Trends in mineral and energy resource use with time
Economic factors – resource costs, international relations
Sustainable resource use, energy efficiency, & recycling
The big 3 resources:
Water, Minerals, & Energy
1
Everything that we do requires energy!
Almost everything requires mineral & rock resources!
Everyone needs water for basic survival.
Natural resources news and information (updated often by Dr. Kuehn):https://www.diigo.com/outliner/6ofcnh/Water-Resources?key=7z1clz4y3b
https://www.diigo.com/outliner/6pl8vh/Energy-Resources?key=lvvx05crt6
https://www.diigo.com/outliner/6p1uxv/Mineral-Resources-and-Conservation?key=86i7t7mx3p
Why Water Resources Matterand why they require careful, informed management
2
Toward Water Sustainability: A Blueprinthttp://aquadoc.typepad.com/waterwired/2016/03/wfi-report-toward-water-sustainability-a-blueprint-for-hydro-philanthropy.html
Why Water Resources Matterand why they require careful, informed management
3
The Environmental Cost Of Growing Food http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/05/05/476600965/the-environmental-cost-of-growing-food
The Central Valley is sinking: drought forces farmers to ponder the abyss http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/28/california-central-valley-sinking-farmers-deepwater-wells
Draining Oregon – Creeks and wells in crisis (multi-part series) http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/page/draining_oregon_day_3.html
What Happens to the U.S. Midwest When the Water's Gone? http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/08/vanishing-midwest-ogallala-aquifer-drought/
A third of the world’s biggest groundwater basins are in distress - Reserves likely far smaller than previously thought http://news.agu.org/press-release/a-third-of-the-worlds-biggest-groundwater-basins-are-in-distress/
More than half of south Asia's groundwater too contaminated to use https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/30/more-than-half-of-south-asias-groundwater-too-contaminated-to-use-study?CMP=share_btn_tw
The demise of the Maya civilization: water shortage can destroy cultures http://blogs.agu.org/geospace/2016/08/30/the-demise-of-the-maya-civilization-water-shortage-can-destroy-cultures/
Israel Proves the Desalination Era Is Here (July 2016) https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/israel-proves-the-desalination-era-is-here/?WT.mc_id=SA_TW_ENGYSUS_NEWS
Vital Water Graphics – United Nationshttp://www.unep.org/vitalwater/
4Availability of Water Sources
Vital Water Graphics – United Nationshttp://www.unep.org/vitalwater/
5Availability of Water Sources
Fig. 10.17 Keller, Environmental Geology
Water Resource Use – by source: surface vs. ground water
2
Worldwide, agriculture uses about 75% of global water consumption and industry 20% (electricity production is also a major user)
Fig. 12.17 Understanding Earth
7Water Resource Use – by purpose 8Water Resource Use and US Economic Growth
Via @PeterGleickhttps://mobile.twitter.com/azgeology/status/797613173951971329
Overuse of groundwater depresses the water table and can change the direction of groundwater flow. Water also can flow underground from wetlands toward the area of lowered water table, possibly causing the wetlands to go dry. Land areas can sink. Near oceans, sea water can seep in.
Fig. 15-18 Geology 2nd edition - Chernicoff
9Effects of Using Groundwater
Fig. 10.13 Keller, Environmental Geology
Groundwater use exceeds recharge in much of the U.S. and many other places around the world. What are the consequences?
10
Dropping well water levels in California
Vital Water Graphics – United Nations http://www.unep.org/vitalwater/
In many places, much of the water in the ground has been there for a very long time. Some of this water is left over from a time when the local climate was wetter than today. When this very old or “fossil” water is used, it is may not be replaced by modern-day recharge. Use of such water sometimes is called “water mining”since the resource is limited and may eventually run out just like when mineral resources are mined.
11
Center-pivot irrigation in a desert region, Saudi Arabia, January 1990The water being extracted to irrigate these fields entered deep aquifers at a time when the climate was much wetter than it is today. The amount of this “fossil” water is limited, and eventually the wells may go dry. Water left behind by ancient wetter climates is being used in many parts of the world. image from NASA
12http://blogs.agu.org/geospace/2010/09/23/dangerous-dependence-on-virtual-water-deepens/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/100505-fossil-water-radioactive-science-
environment/
3
13Global Use of Non-renewable Water Supplies
(by nation as a percent)
Wada,Y. 2012, ‘Non-sustainable groundwater sustaining irrigation’, GWF Discussion Paper 1205, Global Water Forum: http://www.globalwaterforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Non-sustainable-groundwater-sustaining-irrigation-12051.pdf
Also: http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2012/2011WR010562.shtml
Lighter Blue: irrigation using surface water and renewable groundwaterGreen: soil water from local rainfallDarker Blue: non-renewable water useLarger circles = more total water use
Irrigated agriculture in a desert, Southern California and Northwestern MexicoAgricultural field patterns stand out in contrast to the natural desert landscape. Two rivers, the Colorado and the Gila, are the major sources of water for this arid region. Because of water use for agriculture and other activities, the Colorado River usually goes dry before it reaches the ocean.
NASA photo taken August 1985
North
Colorado River
Pacific Ocean
Salton Sea
Overuse of water also occurs with our limited supplies of surface water San Diego
14
15
http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/multimedia/california-drought-20140225/#.U1lEwF7o3eg
California Drought - Folsom Lake example
Left: July 20, 2011 - 97 percent of total capacity
Right: Jan. 16, 2014 - 17 percent of capacity
Why Mineral Resources Matter; Mining for Minerals; Economics16
Elemental Urgency: Most Metals Have Inadequate or Nonexistent Alternatives https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/elemental-urgency-most-metals-have-inadequate-or-nonexistent-alternatives/
A world of minerals in your mobile device https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/gip167
Inside the Billion-Dollar Dig to America’s Biggest Copper Deposit http://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-arizona-copper-mine/
New technique to find copper deposits http://scienmag.com/new-technique-to-find-copper-deposits/
High in the Andes, A Mine Eats a 400-Year-Old City http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/12/151202-Cerro-de-Pasco-Peru-Volcan-mine-eats-city-environment/
Think about a world without roads, rails & airplane runways https://mobile.twitter.com/meceducation/status/656838788971384832
Source: Mineral Information Institute
http://www.mii.org/
17At current rates of consumption,
See also: “The Importance of Minerals and Mining”http://www.mii.org/sites/default/files/uploads/July_2012_PowerPoint_Reid%2010_25_12.pdfThink about a world without roads, rails & airplane runways https://mobile.twitter.com/meceducation/status/656838788971384832
Fig. 14.21 Keller, Environmental Geology
Stages and Flow of Materials in Resource Use
Mining's Hard Rock Legacy http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/earth/inside-the-earth/hard-rock/
18
4
Reichard Environmental Geology
19Resource Trends and Economics
Reichard Environmental Geology
U.S. Energy Use Trends – Long Term20
Fig. 22-3 Understanding Earth 3rd edition
Origin of stored energy in fossil fuels
fossil sunshine
Cycle of CO2 and H2O in the Production and Consumption of Organic Matter and Fossil Fuels
(Part of the global carbon cycle)
21Where our energy comes from
Fig. 15.30 Keller, Environmental Geology
Renewable Energy Options
Other, non-solar sources:
• Geothermal• Tides• Etc.
22
Fig. 14.2 Keller, Environmental Geology
Classification of Mineral & Fossil Fuel Resources
Importance of Economics and Technology in Resource Extraction
23
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2011/10/28/cheap-oil-isnt-coming-back.aspx
24
If the unconventional oil and more difficult/lower grade sources are included, we
won’t run out any time soon.
What are the costs?
Oil Cost of Production
It’s not just oil. Coal mining keeps getting more
expensive too.
What it costs to produce a barrel of oilhttp://money.cnn.com/2015/11/24/news/oil-prices-production-costs/This is a major control on who can make a profit as oil prices change.
In recent years, fracking has completely changed the economics of extracting oil and gas
5
Reichard Environmental Geology
25
Reichard Environmental Geology
Efficiency has big potential to change
the energy and materials markets
too!
If only a fraction of the energy goes where we
need it, what happens to the rest?
Overall energy efficiency in the U.S. is estimated at less than
50%.
26
LEDs are even better (REEs?)
(REEs?)
U.S. energy trends and efficiency: https://www.llnl.gov/news/newsreleases/2012/Oct/NR-12-10-08.html
27
Mining for metals in society’s waste – A path to sustainability?https://theconversation.com/mining-for-metals-in-societys-waste-43766
Changing Energy Technology and Raw Materials Needed Rare-earth metals - an example28
Sourcing Rare Earths and Critical Minerals http://minesmagazine.com/1737
What are rare earth elements?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_earth_element
http
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Rare-earth metalsan example
Physics Today, May 2010
Rare Earths - Critical Resources for High Tech USGS FS-087-02 http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/fs087-02/
29
Concern Grows of China’s Dominance of Rare-Earth Metals (May, 2010) http://ptonline.aip.org/journals/doc/PHTOAD-ft/vol_63/iss_5/22_1.shtml?bypassSSO=1
Sourcing Rare Earths and Critical Minerals http://minesmagazine.com/1737/
USGS Minerals Information: Rare Earthshttp://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/rare_earths/
WTO Rules Against China in Rare Earth Dispute (April 2014) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2014EO140004/abstracthttp://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news14_e/431_432_433r_e.htmhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-26/wto-panel-sides-with-u-s-in-dispute-over-china-minerals.html
Essentially ruled that export restrictions which Chinaclaimed were a conservation measure actually favored their domestic manufacturers over others resulting in 3x higher prices for foreign manufacturers and unfair competition.
Fig. 14.3 Keller, Environmental Geology
Three Possible Patterns of Resource Use
Sustainability
Minerals, Energy, Land, Oceans, Water supplies
Renewable vs. non-renewable resources
Cleaner Cars from Cradle to Gravehttp://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/electric-vehicles/life-cycle-ev-emissions?autologin=true
Total resource consumption matters. It’s not just about energy, minerals, or water. All three must be considered together. The full cycle of production, use, and disposal/recycling all matter too.
6
Major Changes Underway in Energy Resources – News Headlines31
What is the role of shale as a source of oil and gas resources in the United States? http://www.americangeosciences.org/critical-issues/faq/what-is-the-role-shale
How super low natural gas prices are reshaping how we get our power (April 2016)https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/10/28/how-super-low-natural-gas-prices-are-reshaping-how-we-get-our-power/
Watch clean energy costs fall, in one chart (Sept 2016)http://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2016/9/30/13111088/cleantech-costs-falling-one-chart
U.S. Energy Shakeup Continues as Solar Capacity Triples (Oct 2016)http://www.climatecentral.org/news/us-energy-shakeup-continues-solar-triples-20802
Clean Energy Jobs Are Exploding in America. Why Don’t Mainstream Reporters Know? (Sept 2016) https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/why-dont-mainstream-reporters-know-clean-energy-jobs-are-booming
World’s Renewable Energy Capacity Now Beats Out Coal (Oct 2016)https://www.fastcoexist.com/3065047/the-worlds-renewable-energy-capacity-now-beats-out-coal
Companies race to make electric cars mainstream (Oct 2016)http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/companies-race-make-electric-cars-mainstream/
Why the Tesla Model 3 and Chevy Bolt are going to kill the gas station (May 2016)http://arstechnica.com/cars/2016/05/why-the-tesla-model-3-and-chevy-bolt-are-going-to-kill-the-gas-station/
Exxon Concedes It May Need to Declare Lower Value for Oil in Ground (Oct 2016)http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/29/business/energy-environment/exxon-concedes-it-may-need-to-declare-lower-value-for-oil-in-ground.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0
Renewable Energy Costs32
Watch clean energy costs fall, in one chart (Sept 2016)http://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2016/9/30/13111088/cleantech-costs-falling-one-chart
Coal Economics:
Coal Employment
33
Complex Market Forces Are Challenging Appalachian Coal Mining (Oct 2014)https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/reports/2014/10/06/98371/complex-market-forces-are-challenging-appalachian-coal-mining/How Coal Workshttp://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/coal-and-other-fossil-fuels/how-coal-works.html#.WC2uYXfMync
Since 2014, there has been a major industry crash. Why?
Coal Economics: Coal vs. Gas for Electricity Generation34
Not Even Donald Trump Can Save the U.S. Coal Industry (Oct 2016)http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/10/06/donald-trump-cant-save-the-coal-industry.aspx
Natural Gas Production falling costs mirror this
35
What is the role of shale as a source of oil and gas resources in the United States? http://www.americangeosciences.org/critical-issues/faq/what-is-the-role-shale
Coal Economics: U.S. Exports36
Not Even Donald Trump Can Save the U.S. Coal Industry (Oct 2016)http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/10/06/donald-trump-cant-save-the-coal-industry.aspx
7
Energy and Politics - War on Coal?
What is propaganda? What is reality? Whom should I believe?
37Headlines: Energy and Politics - War on Coal?
38
Coal's decline forewarned – a century ago, and again in 1995 (Oct 2012)http://www.wvgazettemail.com/News/201210130087?page=1%27A=0
How Coal Works http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/coal-and-other-fossil-fuels/how-coal-works.html#.WC2uYXfMync
Complex Market Forces Are Challenging Appalachian Coal Mining (Oct 2014)https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/reports/2014/10/06/98371/complex-market-forces-are-challenging-appalachian-coal-mining/
Here’s why Central Appalachia’s coal industry is dying (Nov 2013)https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2013/11/04/heres-why-central-appalachias-coal-industry-is-dying/
The Coal Industry Isn’t Coming Back (Nov 2016)http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/16/opinion/the-coal-industry-isnt-coming-back.html?_r=1
Not Even Donald Trump Can Save the U.S. Coal Industry (Oct 2016)http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/10/06/donald-trump-cant-save-the-coal-industry.aspx
Hard Truths for Trump’s America - Washington didn’t kill coal, but disaffected voters are being sold a story of victimhood http://www.wsj.com/articles/hard-truths-for-trumps-america-1473808938
Win over EPA won’t save Southern W.Va. coal, experts say (July 2014)http://www.wvgazettemail.com/article/20140731/GZ01/140739830
Hint: It's Not Obama That's Killing The Coal Industry - Peabody Energy's bankruptcy is further proof that coal is just not a viable U.S. industry
39Energy and Politics - War on Coal?
40