Study Guide For Final Exam 2004 Environmental Geology GEOL 406/5066

FINAL EXAM -- FALL 2004 (150 points)

STUDY GUIDE

Read this carefully: Be prepared to answer 12 short discussion questions and two diagram questions dealing with major concepts we covered in class or assigned reading. About half of the exam will cover concepts studied since the second exam. Comprehensive parts of the final exam will come directly from the first two exams. Your answers should cover salient parts of each concept as well as provide meaningful connection to other concepts learned along the way. Study the following topics in the textbook and your notes:

• ALL questions on the first two exams
• alpha, beta and gamma radiation, physical properties and effects on human tissue
• the importance of the radioactive decay chain from 238U to 206Pb
• movement of radon gas, and 222Rn remediation in buildings
• suitable and unsuitable geologic conditions for sanitary and secure landfills
• main components of secure and sanitary landfills
• geologic characteristics of Yucca Mountain
• natural and engineered barriers to prevent radionuclide contamination around Yucca Mountain
• geologic conditions for deep-well injection
• what controls the direction and velocity of groundwater contaminants
• environmental problems at Love Canal
• geologic processes that concentrate and disperse trace metals in soils, water, etc.
• radioactivity and half-life, definitions of curie, millicurie
• types of nuclear waste: low level, high level, transuranic
• dose-response curves and relevant environmental problems
• how do various metals contaminate the environment
  

BONUS QUESTION: There will be a five-point bonus question! ! !