Sustainable Resource Management and Engineering

Mining Operation Steps and Mineral Extraction

• Operation steps: Exploration, prospecting, evaluation of profitability, developing a plan of exploitation, extraction of mineral ore, separation of components, and restoration of the area affected by exploitation.

Water Management and Quality Metrics

Impact of Water Diversion

• Diversion: The decrease in flow leads to a decrease in recharging aquifers. It is essential to respect the ecological flow, as reducing the supply of sediment at the mouth can spread invasive species.

BOD, COD, and TOC Measurements

• BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand): Measuring the oxidation carried out by microorganisms.
• COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand): Measured by an engineer with a standardized oxidant.
• TOC (Total Organic Carbon): Measured under conditions that cause complete oxidation of organic matter.

Drinking Water Treatment Process

• Drinking water: Collection and pumping, mixing and distribution chambers, clarifiers, filters, coal and sand out of the tank, and the pumping station.

Geotechnical Soil Management

Managing Expansive Soils

• Expansive soils: Stabilize by treatment with lime or other chemicals that increase resistance, dig them out and replace them with more stable material, install a drainage system that maintains a constant level of moisture, and apply special construction techniques.

Sustainable Development Strategies

Agriculture, Livestock, and Industry

• Sustainable development in agriculture and livestock: Limit the use of pesticides and fertilizers, use biological pest control, and take into account the reproductive cycles of cultivated plants and their parasites.
• In industry: Decontaminate water, minimize erosion and gases, and use renewable energy sources.

Energy and Natural Resource Preservation

• In the energy field: Replace conventional energy sources with alternative sources, promote the use of public transport, and recycle products.
• In the field of natural resources: Preserving natural areas of high value, substituting resources that are in danger of depletion, and preserving natural heritage through horizontal legislation that affects the whole.

Agricultural Systems and Soil Conservation

Intensive vs. Traditional Agriculture

• Intensive Agriculture: It is more profitable on large tracts of cultivated land; it uses heavy machinery, involves fertilizer and pesticide abuse, focuses on one cultivated variety of plants, and uses genetically modified seeds.
• Traditional Agriculture: It is less profitably cultivated land of various types; it uses machines but requires more workers, organic fertilizers are used, various types of plants are cultivated, and seeds are natural.

Soil Management and Erosion Control

• Management and soil conservation: Keep soil covered with vegetation to reduce erosion, use appropriate planning, establish protected natural areas, and avoid the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides to curb soil contamination.