The Exam

My exams are designed to test more than just your ability to memorize the definitions of new terms and concepts (though, of course, that is important as well). Often I try to ask questions that test your ability to critically think about the relation between topics that we have discussed or to synthesize facts into a more complete whole. In short, I'm trying to get at not just your knowledge of geology, but more importantly your understanding of environmental geology. This is not always easy to do on a multiple choice exam. My multiple choice questions are intended to have one best answer, but often a number of plausible wrong answers. I am not trying to be tricky - rather I'm trying to get an idea of how fully you understand the material. The ability to think critically and synthesize ideas is the essence of good education. Keep this in mind as you study the material.

Also, please understand that this study guide is not intended to be exhaustive (read as: there will be material on the exam that is not specifically covered in this study guide). To best prepare for the exam I recommend that you:

• Read the assigned chapters in Environmental Geology. Make sure you understand the material (especially the concepts and terminology). Some students find it helpful to outline the material in the chapters.
• Review your lecture notes. Compare them with the lecture outlines on the class website. It may be useful to discuss the lecture material with a classmate and compare notes.
• Work through the entire Exam Study Guide. Look up things that you're not sure of. Break down the style of my exam questions and try to anticipate how I might vary these questions to cover different material.
• If there's anything that you don't fully understand then seek assistance. I'm happy to help during office hours or any other time you can find me to ask a question. E-mail me your questions if you like. There's also a free tutor available for the class. Contact the Kelly Center to schedule an appointment.

Some sample multiple choice questions: (there will be 40 on the test)

1. Mining and smelting of sulfide ores poses which of the following environmental hazards?
   1. acid rain
   2. acid mine drainage
   3. acid indigestion
   4. all of the above
   5. A & B only

2. Utilization of which of the following energy resources does not cause the emission of greenhouse gasses?
   1. oil
   2. coal
   3. nuclear
   4. biomass
   5. None of the above

3. Which of the following geologic structures is least likely to trap oil and gas?
   1. anticlines
   2. synclines
   3. faults
   4. salt domes
   5. steel jaw

4. "A quantity of a material that has been discovered and is economically recoverable with existing technology" is the definition of a(n) _______________.
   1. resource
   2. reserve
   3. ore
   4. deposit
   5. stockpile

5. The water table is _________________.
   1. a piece of furniture from a Kevin Costner movie that flopped at the box office
   2. the boundary between the saturated and unsaturated zones
   3. the bottom of an aquifer
   4. the hydrologic equivalent of the periodic table
   5. a fixed boundary that is not affected by rainfall

6. An unfractured pumice generally has __________ porosity and __________ permeability.
   1. low; low
   2. low; high
   3. high; low
   4. high; high
   5. no; no

7. ______________________ soils are most commonly found in hot, humid environments.
   1. Lateritic
   2. Pedocal
   3. Pedalfer
   4. Dessical
   5. Either B or D

8. The process of chemical weathering is most intense in which of the following environments?
   1. hot, arid desert
   2. hot, wet jungle
   3. cold, dry tundra
   4. temperate, dry prairie
   5. the Moon

9. Soil is ________________.
   1. dirt
   2. weathering products that have been eroded, transported, and deposited
   3. sediment deposited by a river in its floodplain
   4. usually developed in layers (horizons)
   5. None of the above

10. The soil horizon that is richest in organic matter, and often highly leached is the ______________ horizon.
    1. A
    2. B
    3. C
    4. L
    5. bedrock

In addition, here is a list of some topics that you should understand:

• Review the Summaries, Terms to Remember, and Exercises at the end of each chapter.
• Groundwater: porosity vs. permeability, saturated vs. unsaturated zones, water table, recharge vs. discharge, influent vs. effluent streams, unconfined vs. confined aquifers, aquicludes, perched water tables, cone of depression, saltwater intrusion. How is water quality affected by bedrock/soil interactions? What are some sources of groundwater contamination?
• What is the Ogallala Aquifer? What issues does it face today? What are the major uses of this aquifer? Is 'groundwater mining' an applicable term for the Ogallala? Why or why not? Is water conservation an effective strategy in the short run?
• What are some examples of seasonal uses of the water supply? What uses are constant year round? Is water conservation an effective strategy in the short run? How about the long run? Is desalination a long term option for water resources? How can polluted water be decontaminated?
• What is the difference between point and non-point sources of pollution? How can polluted water be decontaminated? Describe three different methods for treating water so that it can be reused.
• What is the difference between a mineral resource and a reserve? Which are more valuable today? What are various strategies for dealing with the production and use of a finite resource?
• Give examples of three metals that you have used today. What is the geologic origin of each? How is each mined and processed? What environmental hazards are associated with these processes?
• Identify two mineral resources formed by each of the following processes: igneous; metamorphic; sedimentary; biological; weathering. How is each mined and processed? What environmental hazards are associated with these processes?
• What are the different types of fossil fuel energy resources? Where is each found and what geologic conditions were necessary to form each? What are the environmental hazards of using each?
• What are the different grades of coal? What contaminant in coal leads to acid rain when burned? What are the advantages/disadvantages of coal compared to oil and natural gas?
• Describe the non-fossil fuels. Which are renewable resources and which are not? Design a nuclear reactor and/or atom bomb - do not sell it to Iran or North Korea. What environmental hazards are presented by non-fossil fuels?
• What is soil? How does it form? What are the influences of climate (temperature and precipitation) on soil formation? Know the characteristics of each soil horizon and how each forms.
• What properties are used to classify soils? How do soil classifications of soil scientists and engineers differ? Be able to classify a soil given the triangular classification diagram.
• What factors affect soil erosion? What are some practices that can minimize soil erosion? What was the origin of the Dust Bowl? How do land-use choices affect soils?