1. MINERAL RESOURCES: Name 2 energy (mineral) resources and 6 non-energy mineral (3 metallic & 3 non-metallic) resources. What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources? Explain the difference between a RESERVE and a RESOURCE using the USGS McKelvey Diagram as the basis. What energy resource associated with the Marcelleous Shale and how is it extracted? Briefly, provide an explanation of how a conventional oil or gas reserve forms. Similarly, offer an explanation of how coal (deposits) form? What are hydrothermal mineral deposits? Provide an explanation of how hydrothermal deposits form? Provide an explanation of placer deposit formation and provide two (2) minerals associated with such deposits.
2. SOILS & WEATHERING: Explain the difference between chemical and physical weathering. What processes can cause originally solid rock to break in pieces? Explain the process of soil formation. Why do soils develop distinct horizons? Explain the difference between a stable and an unstable slope. What features are likely to serve as a failure surface? Discuss the variety of phenomena that can cause a stable slope to become unstable that if fails.
3. HYDROLOGY: Describe the various features of a karst landscape, and explain how they evolve. What is an aquifer? Why aren't all saturated rocks and soils considered to be aquifers? Does ground water move slow or fast -compared to average stream water flow? What are some (~ 4) sources of groundwater contamination? How can ground water contamination be prevented (or reduced)? What factors control the amount of groundwater recharge? How do groundwater flow systems in karst aquifers differ from those in other aquifers? Explain the term WATERSHED. For example, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed-what does it mean and encompass?
4. COASTS: Describe a typical (generalized) beach profile. What is littoral drift (longshore sediment transport)? What are the engineering implications of longshore currents? Explain how beach sand migrates as a result of longshore drift. Explain how wave refraction relates to longshore current? What is difference between a ‘groin" and a jetty? What is an estuary? Name three (3) estuaries of the USA. Describe the general differences (shape & size) between the coasts of the west and the east of USA. In general, why are they different?