Unit 2: Enhanced Weathering

Click or select any word to translate.

Word List

  • n. Carbon is a chemical element.
    Carbon is found in coal.
  • n. Carbon dioxide is a gas made from one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.
    There is carbon dioxide in the smoke from coal power plants.
  • n. Dust is very small, dry particles of earth or sand.
    Some people wear medical face masks to avoid breathing in fine dust and germs.
  • v. To emit is to send out gas, heat, light, sound, etc.
    This iron emits steam.
  • v. To enable is to make it possible for something to happen.
    Studying hard will enable the girl to get a good job.
  • v. To grind is to break something into small pieces or powder.
    We grind wheat to make flour.
  • v. To heal is to become healthy or well again.
    This ointment will help heal your wounds.
  • v. To integrate is to make something a part of another larger thing.
    More women are being integrated into the military.
  • adj. When something is leading, it is the most advanced or best.
    Teresa is the leading expert on brain surgery for dogs.
  • adv. Moreover is used to introduce information that adds to or supports what has previously been said.
    Marianne likes to walk to work to save money; moreover, it is good exercise.
  • v. To object is to feel or say that you oppose or disapprove of something.
    The students object to raising the tuition.
  • n. A pollutant is a substance that makes the air or water not safe for use.
    A pollutant in the water killed this fish.
  • n. Powder is a dry substance in the form of very small grains.
    Tumeric is a yellow powder used in cooking.
  • v. To prompt is to cause someone to do something.
    The tight deadline will prompt the employee to work very hard.
  • v. To reject is to refuse to accept, believe in, or agree with something.
    I'm afraid the teacher will reject my new idea.
  • n. A skeptic is a person who disagrees with particular claims that are generally thought to be true.
    Kevin is a skeptic because he never believes anyone or anything.
  • n. A substance is a particular type of solid, liquid, or gas.
    Arsenic is a poisonous substance.
  • adv. If something changes substantially, it changes a lot.
    The price of the apartment went up substantially.
  • n. A ton is a unit for measuring weight equal to 2000 pounds or 907.2 kilograms.
    This dump truck can carry up to 25 tons.
  • n. Transport is the system or method of carrying passengers or goods from one place to another.
    Cargo ships are used for the transport of manufactured goods.

 

Exercise

A ‣ Circle the word that is opposite in meaning to the given word.

  1. substantially
    • a. largely
    • b. slightly
    • c. considerably
    • d. really
  2. heal
    • a. injure
    • b. fix
    • c. medicate
    • d. open
  3. reject
    • a. deny
    • b. refuse
    • c. accept
    • d. dismiss
  4. object
    • a. decide
    • b. agree
    • c. fight
    • d. state
  5. skeptic
    • a. doubter
    • b. cynic
    • c. student
    • d. believer

 

B ‣ Circle the two words in each group that are most closely related.

    • a. oxygen
    • b. heat
    • c. dioxide
    • d. ground
    • a. telephone
    • b. transport
    • c. train
    • d. tree
    • a. additionally
    • b. in contrast
    • c. however
    • d. moreover
    • a. insignificant
    • b. leading
    • c. important
    • d. average
    • a. wash
    • b. make
    • c. crush
    • d. grind

 

C ‣ Write the word that best fits each sentence.

  1. substance / technique
    The students spent all day practicing a new _____ .
    The classroom floor was covered in a sticky green _____ .
  2. integrate / substantially
    The company's goal is to maximize its profit _____ in three months.
    Many newcomers find it hard to _____ into the local community.
  3. emit / enable
    The chimneys _____ thick black smoke all day.
    The new power system is built to _____ the saving of electricity.
  4. prompt / reject
    The discovery of a new clue will _____ the police to start an investigation.
    My teachers always _____ my excuses for not handing in my assignments on time.
  5. powder / carbon
    CO is the abbreviated form for _____ monoxide.
    The charcoal was crushed into a black _____ .
  6. heal / grind
    The liver can _____ very quickly.
    You _____ the apples and the bananas together.
  7. skeptic / dust
    My eyes really hurt whenever there is a lot of _____ in the air.
    My brother is a genuine _____ .

 

Enhanced Weathering

Air pollution is not only a contributor to global warming but also to poor air quality. It can have negative effects on human health. Carbon dioxide is the leading pollutant, with billions of metric tons emitted annually by the burning of fossil fuels. Burning less fossil fuels is the obvious way to reduce carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, a tremendous number of people rely on fossil fuels for heating, electricity, and transport. This has prompted scientists to look for different approaches to reducing carbon dioxide.

Weathering is when chemical compounds in the atmosphere react with chemical compounds on the planet's surface. The weathering of rocks refers to the chemical breakdown of rocks. This occurs when rain, which contains carbon from the atmosphere, comes in contact with rocks. The carbon is captured and embedded in the rocks. This is a natural process and can substantially remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, this process is extremely slow.

Scientists have been studying ways to integrate this process. They have discovered a technique to speed up weathering. They call this enhanced weathering. Certain types of rock, such as olivine, are crushed into a fine powder. The powder is spread over a large land surface to be rained on. This process decreases the time of natural weathering by maximizing the rocks' exposure to carbon.

There are skeptics, however. Some people are uncertain about the effects of enhanced weathering. Some even object to this approach. Rocks such as olivine may contain toxic substances that can contribute to polluting the planet. Also, grinding rocks produces dust. The dust can be harmful to human health. Moreover, the process of crushing and transporting rock may cause additional carbon emissions.

Although more data needs to be collected, scientists have not completely rejected enhanced weathering. They are hopeful that it will enable the safe removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Scientists are working together to help improve air quality, combat global warming, and heal our planet.

 

Reading Comprehension

Part A: Mark each statement T for true or F for false. Rewrite the false statements to make them true.

  1. _____ The burning of fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide.
    __________
  2. _____ Enhanced weathering is a natural process of weathering.
    __________
  3. _____ Weathering can remove atmospheric carbon dioxide.
    __________
  4. _____ Some people do not believe that enhanced weathering is the best option.
    __________
  5. _____ Scientists are trying to promote global warming.
    __________

 

Part B: Answer the questions.

  1. What is the passage about?
    • a. Fossil fuels
    • b. Types of rocks
    • c. Global warming
    • d. Weathering process
  2. When does carbon become embedded in rocks?
    _____
  3. What is the disadvantage of grinding rocks?
    _____

 

Answer Key

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