Lithium and Salton Sea - Environmental Science

Multiple Choice

Why might the Salton Sea and Lithium Valley be significant for California's future?

• They are important for renewable energy and resource extraction.

• They are popular tourist destinations.

• They are major agricultural centers.

• They are known for their wildlife reserves.

Open Ended

How did engineers “accidentally” create California’s Largest Lake?

Multiple Choice

What is the geologic history of the Salton Sea?

• It was formed by a failed river diversion in 1905.

• It is a natural lake that has existed for thousands of years.

• It was created by volcanic activity.

• It was formed by glacial melting.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes an unintended consequence?

• A planned outcome that was expected.

• A result that happens on purpose and is foreseen.

• A serious effect that was not planned or foreseen.

• A minor side effect that is always positive.

Multiple Select

Which of the following problems have affected the Salton Sea since the 1980s?

• Pesticides and fertilizers flowing in

• Fish die-offs from lack of oxygen

• Lake shrinking and leaving toxic dust

• Increase in tourism

Open Ended

What population centers or communities could be impacted by the Salton Sea geothermal resource area, and why?

Open Ended

What risks can you imagine with the geothermal lithium extraction process shown in the diagram?

Open Ended

What are the benefits of geothermal energy?

Multiple Select

Which minerals are used in almost all low-carbon technologies according to the graph?

• Copper and Graphite

• Lithium and Cobalt

• Aluminum and Iron

• Chromium and Lead

Multiple Choice

According to the Materials Criticality Matrix, which materials are both highly important to energy and have a high supply risk?

• Lithium and Nickel

• Manganese and Titanium

• Phosphorus and Tellurium

• Aluminum and Fluorine

Open Ended

What are some tradeoffs between different stakeholder groups (such as agriculture, environmentalists, and mining companies) when considering new development in the Imperial Valley?

Multiple Select

Which of the following are identified as having substantial breeding habitat according to the map?

• Salton Sea

• Mono Lake

• Great Salt Lake

• Colorado River Delta

Multiple Choice

Which of the following lakes has the largest total area according to the map?

• Great Salt Lake

• Salton Sea

• Lahontan Wetlands

• Klamath Basin

Multiple Choice

What is the projected trend for the salinity of the Salton Sea according to the graph?

• It will increase significantly over time.

• It will remain constant.

• It will decrease over time.

• It will fluctuate unpredictably.

Open Ended

Discuss the potential environmental and economic impacts of harvesting lithium from geothermal brine beneath the Salton Sea.

Multiple Select

Based on the images, which of the following are minerals necessary for today’s battery technology?

• Cobalt

• Magnesium

• Nickel

• Gold

Multiple Choice

What are some of the potential environmental risks associated with mineral extraction in Lithium Valley?

• Air pollution from mining operations

• Obscured environmental risks

• Increased biodiversity

• Water contamination

Open Ended

What are some of the challenges and conflicts between competing needs of different stakeholders present in Lithium mining?

Multiple Choice

Imperial County, home to Lithium Valley, was second to last among California counties in terms of median household income in 2022. What does this suggest about the economic conditions of the region?

• It is one of the wealthiest counties in California

• It is among the poorest counties in California

• It has the highest employment rate

• It is a major tourist destination

Multiple Choice

What is one question you still have about the Salton Sea or Lithium Valley after today's lesson?

• How is lithium extracted from the Salton Sea?

• What are the environmental impacts of lithium extraction?

• How did the Salton Sea get its name?

• Why is the Salton Sea shrinking?