Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Geology

Pollution

What is contamination? Where does it come from?

The causes of this decline in environmental quality are due to the economic growth model, the growth of the population, and the lack of control over ecological damage. Pollution is any substance or energy that causes loss or damage to property of any kind. Contamination may have different origins: natural sources of pollution and contamination from artificial sources. Man-made pollution is the most common, and we can further control it. It can affect the soil, water, and air, and therefore all living beings.

Air Pollution

We speak of air pollution when certain substances or forms of energy reach above-normal concentrations in the air.

Contamination is emitted into the atmosphere. Control... Continue reading "Understanding Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Solutions" »

Key Influences on Aquinas

The primary influence on Aquinas was Aristotle. His hylomorphic theory, which posits that the soul and body form a single substance, significantly impacted Aquinas's anthropology and epistemology. This concept addresses the structure and order of beings, applying even to God as the total and ultimate being. Aquinas also drew from Aristotle's understanding of knowledge, which begins with sensory experience and progresses through abstraction to universal knowledge. Furthermore, Aristotle's ethical framework, which emphasizes happiness as the ultimate goal and virtues as the means to achieve it, influenced Aquinas. The study of natural pathology also stems from Aristotle, further developed by Albertus Magnus.

Aquinas was... Continue reading "Aquinas' Influences: Philosophy, Theology, and Natural Law" »

Immanuel Kant's Approach to Metaphysics

Human reason is harassed by questions that it cannot answer, as they surpass its faculties. These are the questions posed by metaphysics. Kant believes that understanding is capable of developing a universally valid science. He was a rationalist but, thanks to his awakening from dogmatic slumber, he also recognized the importance of experience. Kant distinguishes between two types of knowledge conditions: empirical knowledge, the origin of form, and formal knowledge, which adds data to experience.

Kant asks: Is metaphysics a science? We know that knowledge is scientific when it progresses, building on what other scientists have accomplished, and when there is a consensus among scientists. If metaphysics... Continue reading "Immanuel Kant's Philosophy: Metaphysics and Knowledge" »

Understanding Catabolism: Cellular Energy Release

Catabolism encompasses the metabolic processes involving the oxidative degradation of organic molecules. Its primary aim is to obtain the necessary energy for the cell to carry out its vital functions. During these oxidation reactions, electrons are captured and released from hydrogen atoms. The final electron acceptor determines the type of catabolism:

• If molecular oxygen is the electron acceptor, it is known as aerobic catabolism.
• If another molecule serves as the electron acceptor, it is referred to as anaerobic catabolism.

General Principles of Catabolic Pathways

Catabolism can begin with the decomposition of various organic substances. However, most catabolic pathways ultimately converge into... Continue reading "Cellular Energy Production: Catabolic Pathways Explained" »

Landscape Plants in Spain: Oceanic Climate Vegetation

Its vegetation characteristics include:

a) The Deciduous Forest

Consists of tall trees with straight, smooth trunks and large leaves. More features:

• Beech (Haya): Poorly tolerates heat but handles cold very well, requiring a lot of moisture. It prefers calcareous soils. Its hard, good-quality wood is used to make furniture and utensils.
• Oak (Roble): Does not support hot summers, has reduced tolerance to cold, and requires less moisture. It is slow-growing. Its timber is used to make furniture and boats.
• Chestnut (Castaño): Valued for both its fruit and wood.

Other minor species include ash, elm, etc. In the oceanic climate zone, a transition forest of marcescent Pyrenean oak occurs, where trees... Continue reading "Spanish Landscape Flora: Oceanic and Mediterranean Climates" »

Definitions:

Escorrentía: Rain and snowmelt water that runs through the ground surface up to the main sewer. When calculating the flow rate of a river near its mouth, it measures the entire basin runoff. Its speed is more pronounced on the slopes. It is lower in forested areas than on land devoid of vegetation.

Magra: Lowest level or minimum flow of a river or stream during a particular time of year. Refers to the period that lasts or decreases flow. This restriction may be due to a time of drought. Sometimes it gets to the drying of the river.

Garriga: Shrubbery with rugged leaves characteristic of a zone with a Mediterranean climate, dominated by Kermes oaks, rock roses, and other aromatic plants like rosemary, thyme, and lavender. It is less... Continue reading "Key Geographical and Demographic Definitions" »

Major Terrestrial Landscapes and Climates

Euro-Siberian Floristic Region

This region is characterized by three main types:

1. Deciduous Forest

   Composed of evergreen tall trees such as beech (which tolerates cold well, requires moisture, grows slowly, and produces quality hardwood), oak (which poorly tolerates heat, is slow-growing, and produces hardwood), and chestnut. In the transition zone, a marcescent forest appears (deciduous trees that hold their leaves until the new growth emerges), featuring Turkey oak and gall oak. Currently, areas have been stocked with pine and eucalyptus, contributing to soil acidification and degradation.

2. Heath

   A dense thicket of plants like heather, gorse, and broom.

3. Meadows

   Herbaceous vegetation occupying large extensions.

Energy & Industrial Terminology Definitions

Fundamental Concepts

Biomass

The total mass of living material within a community or ecosystem. This often includes non-living organic material used as an energy source.

Fuel

A material burned or altered to produce energy, especially for power generation or heating. Examples include wood, coal, coke, oil, natural gas, etc.

Wetland

Land flooded or soaked in water, either permanently or seasonally.

Ecological Conscience

A positive attitude towards the responsible exploitation and management of natural resources. It implies recognizing the need for and promoting environmental protection policies.

Energy Sources & Types

Biogas

A mixture of gases produced by the fermentation or anaerobic digestion of biomass.

Palace of Catalan Music / Lluis Domenech i Montaner/1905-1908 / Barcelona / modernism / iron, brick, artificial stone, glass, ceramics, mosaic and other minors. / Arquitravat and lap / auditorium.

Casa Mila / Gaudi / 1906-1912/Modernisme/pedra, brick, ceramics and iron / civil / BCN

German Pavilion / Ludwig Mies van der Rohe / 1929/Barcelona/racionalisme/hacer, concrete, glass, travertine marble, onyx and granite. / Arquitravat.

Kaufmann House / Frank Lloyd Wright / 1935-1939 / reinforced concrete, based on the same rocky terrain and natural stone. LACER Also, wood, glass and aluminum / Arquitravat, with industrial materials / Bear Run, USA / organic / free family house .

Grief / Joseph Lemon / 1907 / marble carving / Exempt. Sedent/67 cm... Continue reading "Landmark Buildings and Artworks: A Comparative Study" »

Agrarian Peninsular Interior Landscape

1. Location

Agrarian peninsular interior landscape.

2. Environmental Analysis

• Relief: Flat relief, high average altitude on the plateau.
• Climate: Mediterranean climate, low summer rainfall.
• Vegetation: Predominantly scrub.
• Soil: Clay soil.

3. Analysis of Visible Human Elements

3.1 Plot Structure

Extensive crop quality, separated by segmentation or boundaries and roads.

3.2 Rural Land Uses

• Upland areas: Dominates the countryside of the plateau.
• Non-irrigated areas: Cropped areas.
• Irrigation: Intensive exploitation.
• Livestock: Important for cattle and sheep; dominant in Sierra Morena, Montes de Toledo, Sistema Ibérico, and the two Catalan coastal ranges.
• Land Use Balance: Balanced input between agriculture and livestock.