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Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water key terms

Use these key terms for Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water in AQA Chemistry 8462. The page is built from approved learning objectives for this topic and links back to the wider unit, topic hub, and related revision assets.

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key terms

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Topic

Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water

AQAGCSEChemistryUsing resources

Key terms

  • sustainable development

    Meeting current needs without preventing future generations from meeting their needs.

  • finite resources

    Natural resources that are limited in supply and cannot be replenished within a human timescale.

  • natural resources

    In Using the Earth's resources and sustainable development, natural resources means materials or substances that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to explain that natural resources can be supplemented or replaced by agricultural and synthetic products. Use natural resources only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • synthetic products

    Man-made materials created through chemical processes to replace natural resources.

  • natural products

    Substances obtained from nature that can be used for various purposes, such as food, medicine, and materials.

  • synthetic products

    Man-made substances created through chemical processes to replace or supplement natural products.

  • finite resources

    Resources that are limited in supply and cannot be replenished within a human timescale.

  • renewable resources

    Resources that can be replenished naturally over short periods of time, such as solar energy and wind.

  • finite resources

    Natural resources that are limited in supply and cannot be replenished within a human timescale.

  • sustainable development

    Development that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

  • sustainable development

    Meeting current needs without preventing future generations from meeting their needs.

  • finite resources

    Natural resources that are limited in supply and cannot be replenished within a human timescale.

  • sustainable development

    Meeting current needs without preventing future generations from meeting their needs.

  • agricultural processes

    Methods and techniques used in farming to improve crop production and sustainability.

  • charts

    In Using the Earth's resources and sustainable development, charts means visual representations of data used to summarize and interpret information. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to extract and interpret resource information from charts, graphs and tables. (WS 3.2; MS 2c, 4a). Use charts only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • graphs

    Diagrams that show the relationship between variables, often used to illustrate trends in data.

  • orders of magnitude

    A way of comparing quantities by their powers of ten to assess their significance.

  • resource data

    In Using the Earth's resources and sustainable development, resource data means information related to the availability and use of natural resources. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to use orders of magnitude to judge the significance of resource data. (MS 2h). Use resource data only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • graphical form

    In Using the Earth's resources and sustainable development, graphical form means a representation of data using visual elements such as charts or graphs. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to translate resource information between graphical and numerical forms. (MS 4a). Use graphical form only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • numerical form

    In Using the Earth's resources and sustainable development, numerical form means a representation of data using numbers and mathematical expressions. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to translate resource information between graphical and numerical forms. (MS 4a). Use numerical form only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • potable water

    In Potable water, potable water means water that is safe to drink and has low levels of dissolved salts and microbes. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to define potable water as water that is safe to drink. Use potable water only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • filtration

    The process of removing impurities from water, often using filter beds, as part of potable water treatment.

  • potable water

    In Potable water, potable water means water that is safe to drink and has low levels of dissolved salts and microbes. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to distinguish potable water from chemically pure water. Use potable water only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • chemically pure water

    In Potable water, chemically pure water means water that contains no impurities and is composed solely of H2O molecules. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to distinguish potable water from chemically pure water. Use chemically pure water only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • potable water

    In Potable water, potable water means water that is safe to drink and has low levels of dissolved salts and microbes. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to explain why potable water should have low levels of dissolved salts and microbes. Use potable water only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • dissolved salts

    In Potable water, dissolved salts means mineral salts that can affect the safety and quality of drinking water. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to explain why potable water should have low levels of dissolved salts and microbes. Use dissolved salts only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • potable water

    In Potable water, potable water means water that is safe to drink and has low levels of dissolved salts and microbes. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to describe how fresh water sources are selected to produce potable water in the UK. Use potable water only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • fresh water sources

    Natural sources of water, such as rivers and lakes, that are used to produce potable water.

  • filtration

    In Potable water, filtration means the process of removing solid particles from a liquid by passing it through a filter. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to describe filtration through filter beds as part of potable water treatment. Use filtration only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • filter beds

    Layers of material used in the filtration process to purify water by trapping impurities.

  • sterilisation

    In Potable water, sterilisation means the process of making water safe to drink by eliminating harmful microbes. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to describe sterilisation as part of potable water treatment. Use sterilisation only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • potable water

    In Potable water, potable water means water that is safe to drink and has low levels of dissolved salts and microbes. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to describe sterilisation as part of potable water treatment. Use potable water only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • potable water

    In Potable water, potable water means water that is safe to drink. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to recall chlorine, ozone and ultraviolet light as sterilising methods for potable water. Use potable water only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • sterilising methods

    Techniques such as chlorine, ozone, and ultraviolet light used to make water safe for consumption.

  • potable water

    In Potable water, potable water means water that is safe to drink and has low levels of dissolved salts and microbes. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to explain why the treatment required depends on the available water source and local conditions. Use potable water only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • water treatment

    Processes used to make water safe for drinking, which may vary based on the source and local conditions.

  • ground water

    In Potable water, ground water means water that is found underground in aquifers, often used as a source for potable water. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to compare treatment of ground water with treatment of salty water. Use ground water only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • salty water

    Water that contains a high concentration of dissolved salts, typically found in oceans and seas.

  • desalination

    A process that removes salt and impurities from salty water or sea water to produce potable water.

  • potable water

    In Potable water, potable water means water that is safe to drink and has low levels of dissolved salts and microbes. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to describe desalination as a method for obtaining potable water from salty water or sea water. Use potable water only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • distillation

    A process that separates components of a mixture based on differences in boiling points.

  • reverse osmosis

    A membrane process that removes ions, molecules, and larger particles from drinking water.

  • desalination

    In Potable water, desalination means a process that removes salt and impurities from seawater to produce potable water. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to explain why desalination processes require large amounts of energy. Use desalination only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • energy requirement

    In Potable water, energy requirement means the significant amount of energy needed to carry out desalination processes. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to explain why desalination processes require large amounts of energy. Use energy requirement only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • potable water

    In Potable water, potable water means water that is safe to drink and has low levels of dissolved salts and microbes. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to give reasons for the steps used to produce potable water. Use potable water only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • water treatment

    Processes used to make water safe for drinking, including filtration and sterilisation.

  • distillation

    A process used to separate components in a liquid mixture based on differences in boiling points.

  • pH testing

    A method used to determine the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, indicating its suitability for drinking.

  • waste water

    Water that has been used in some way and contains contaminants, requiring treatment before release into the environment.

  • treatment

    The processes applied to waste water to remove contaminants and make it safe for discharge or reuse.

  • sewage

    In Waste water treatment, sewage means waste water that contains organic matter and harmful microbes. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to describe sewage as waste water that contains organic matter and harmful microbes. Use sewage only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • organic matter

    organic matter is a Waste water treatment term used to support the objective: Describe sewage as waste water that contains organic matter and harmful microbes. In Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water, use it with the correct resource, water-treatment, LCA, material, Haber process, fertiliser, or sustainability context rather than as a generic repeated keyword.

  • industrial waste water

    Waste water produced by industrial processes that may contain organic matter and harmful chemicals.

  • organic matter

    Carbon-based compounds that are typically found in waste water and can originate from living organisms.

  • screening

    In Waste water treatment, screening means the process of removing large solids and debris from sewage before further treatment. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to describe screening and grit removal as early stages of sewage treatment. Use screening only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • grit removal

    The process of separating sand, gravel, and other heavy particles from sewage to prevent damage to treatment equipment.

  • sedimentation

    The process by which solid particles settle out of a liquid, allowing separation of sewage sludge from effluent.

  • sewage sludge

    The solid residue that results from the treatment of sewage, containing organic matter and other materials.

  • anaerobic digestion

    A biological process that breaks down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas and digestate.

  • sewage sludge

    The solid residue that remains after wastewater treatment, containing organic matter and nutrients.

  • aerobic biological treatment

    A process that uses microorganisms to break down organic matter in effluent in the presence of oxygen.

  • effluent

    In Waste water treatment, effluent means liquid waste or sewage that is discharged into a river or the sea after treatment. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to describe aerobic biological treatment of effluent. Use effluent only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • potable water

    In Waste water treatment, potable water means water that is safe to drink. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to compare the relative ease of obtaining potable water from waste water, ground water and salt water. Use potable water only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • waste water

    Water that has been used and contains contaminants, requiring treatment before release into the environment.

  • waste water

    Water that has been used and contains contaminants, requiring treatment before release into the environment.

  • treatment

    The process of removing contaminants from waste water to make it safe for discharge into the environment.

  • waste water treatment

    The process of treating sewage and industrial waste water to remove contaminants before releasing it into the environment.

  • sewage

    Waste water that contains organic matter and harmful microbes, requiring treatment to prevent environmental pollution.

  • metal ores

    In Alternative methods of extracting metals, metal ores means naturally occurring solid materials from which metals can be extracted. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to explain that metal ores are limited resources. Use metal ores only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • limited resources

    Resources that are finite in quantity and cannot be replenished within a human timescale.

  • high-grade copper ores

    Copper ores that contain a high percentage of copper, making them economically viable for extraction.

  • copper extraction methods

    Techniques used to obtain copper from its ores, which may include traditional mining and newer methods like phytomining and bioleaching.

  • phytomining

    In Alternative methods of extracting metals, phytomining means a method of extracting metal compounds from soil using plants. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to describe phytomining as using plants to absorb metal compounds from soil. (HT only). Use phytomining only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • metal compounds

    metal compounds is a Alternative methods of extracting metals term used to support the objective: Describe phytomining as using plants to absorb metal compounds from soil. (HT only). In Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water, use it with the correct resource, water-treatment, LCA, material, Haber process, fertiliser, or sustainability context rather than as a generic repeated keyword.

  • phytomining

    In Alternative methods of extracting metals, phytomining means a method of extracting metals from soil using plants that absorb metal compounds. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to explain how harvested plants are burned to produce ash containing metal compounds. (HT only). Use phytomining only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • bioleaching

    In Alternative methods of extracting metals, bioleaching means a process that uses bacteria to produce leachate solutions containing metal compounds. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to explain how harvested plants are burned to produce ash containing metal compounds. (HT only). Use bioleaching only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • bioleaching

    A process that uses bacteria to extract metal compounds from ores, producing leachate solutions.

  • leachate

    A solution that contains dissolved metal compounds produced during the bioleaching process.

  • displacement reaction

    A chemical reaction where a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from a compound.

  • scrap iron

    Iron that is recycled and used as a reducing agent in the extraction of copper from its compounds.

  • Electrolysis

    A process that uses electricity to break down compounds into their elements or simpler compounds.

  • Copper compounds

    Chemical substances that contain copper, which can be processed to extract copper through methods like electrolysis.

  • phytomining

    A method of extracting metal compounds from soil using plants that absorb these compounds.

  • bioleaching

    A process that uses bacteria to produce leachate solutions containing metal compounds for extraction.

  • biological methods

    In Alternative methods of extracting metals, biological methods means techniques that utilize living organisms to extract metals from ores or waste. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to evaluate biological methods of metal extraction from information provided. (HT only). Use biological methods only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • metal extraction

    In Alternative methods of extracting metals, metal extraction means the process of obtaining metals from their ores or compounds. This matters in Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water because it supports the learning objective to evaluate biological methods of metal extraction from information provided. (HT only). Use metal extraction only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • low-grade ore

    An ore that contains a lower concentration of the desired metal, making extraction more challenging.

  • reduction with carbon

    A chemical process where carbon is used to remove oxygen from metal oxides to obtain the pure metal.

Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water key terms… | ExamCompanion