This review packet provides a comprehensive overview of key concepts in Earth and Environmental Science, designed to help students prepare for exams or simply deepen their understanding of this crucial field. We'll cover major topics, offering insights and examples to solidify your knowledge. This isn't just a simple list of facts; it's a structured journey through the Earth's systems and their complex interactions.
I. Earth's Systems and Processes
This section delves into the interconnectedness of Earth's spheres – the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere – and the processes that shape them.
A. Plate Tectonics
Understanding plate tectonics is fundamental. We'll review:
- Plate boundaries: Convergent (continental-continental, oceanic-oceanic, oceanic-continental), divergent, and transform boundaries. We'll examine the geological features associated with each, including mountain ranges, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Think about the specific processes at play at each boundary – subduction, seafloor spreading, etc.
- Evidence for plate tectonics: Seafloor spreading, magnetic stripes on the ocean floor, fossil distribution, and continental fit. Understanding the historical development of this theory is key.
- Plate movement mechanisms: Convection currents in the mantle and their role in driving plate motion. Consider the role of slab pull and ridge push.
B. Rock Cycle
The rock cycle is a continuous process. We will explore:
- Igneous rocks: Intrusive and extrusive, their formation, and examples (granite, basalt). Understand the relationship between cooling rate and crystal size.
- Sedimentary rocks: Clastic and chemical, their formation from weathering and erosion, and examples (sandstone, limestone). Consider the processes of deposition, compaction, and cementation.
- Metamorphic rocks: Formation through heat and pressure, and examples (marble, slate). Understand the concept of metamorphism and its relation to plate tectonics.
C. Weathering and Erosion
These processes shape the Earth's surface:
- Types of weathering: Physical (mechanical) and chemical weathering. Consider examples like frost wedging, oxidation, and hydrolysis.
- Erosion agents: Water, wind, ice (glaciers), and gravity. Understand how each agent contributes to shaping landscapes.
- Landforms: The resulting landforms created by weathering and erosion (canyons, deltas, alluvial fans). Consider how different erosion agents create distinct landforms.
II. Environmental Science Focus
This section addresses critical environmental issues and their scientific basis.
A. Climate Change
A comprehensive understanding of climate change is vital:
- Greenhouse effect: The role of greenhouse gases (CO2, methane, etc.) in trapping heat. Understand the natural greenhouse effect vs. the enhanced greenhouse effect.
- Evidence for climate change: Rising global temperatures, melting glaciers and ice sheets, sea-level rise, and changes in precipitation patterns. Consider the use of proxy data (ice cores, tree rings) for reconstructing past climates.
- Impacts of climate change: Sea-level rise, extreme weather events, changes in ecosystems, and human health impacts.
B. Water Resources
This section examines the availability and management of water:
- Water cycle: Evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, runoff, and infiltration. Understand the different components of the water cycle and how human activities impact it.
- Water pollution: Point source and non-point source pollution, their sources, and their effects on aquatic ecosystems. Consider specific examples of pollutants and their impacts.
- Water conservation: Strategies for conserving water resources, including efficient irrigation techniques and responsible water usage.
C. Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Understanding ecosystems and their fragility is crucial:
- Ecosystem services: The benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, including clean air and water, pollination, and climate regulation.
- Habitat loss and fragmentation: The major drivers of biodiversity loss and their impact on ecosystems.
- Conservation efforts: Strategies for protecting biodiversity and preserving ecosystems, including habitat restoration and protected areas.
This review packet provides a framework for your study. Remember to consult your textbook and class notes for more detailed information. Good luck with your studies!
