In the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, crude oil deposits were formed from ancient organic matter over millions of years, while mangrove forests yield timber used for fuelwood and construction. Which of the following statements correctly distinguishes between these two natural resources based on their sustainability and replenishment timescales?
- Crude oil is a non-renewable resource because its rate of geological formation is vastly slower than human consumption, whereas mangrove timber is renewable as it can regenerate within human timeframes.Answer
- BCrude oil is classified as a renewable resource because it originates from organic plant and animal remains, whereas mangrove timber is non-renewable once cut down.
- CBoth crude oil and mangrove timber are non-renewable because both consist of organic carbon matter that is irreversibly depleted upon consumption.
- DCrude oil is non-renewable because combustion releases greenhouse gases, whereas mangrove timber is renewable because trees release oxygen into the atmosphere.
Answer
Crude oil is a non-renewable resource because its geological formation requires millions of years, making extraction faster than natural replenishment, while mangrove timber is renewable because biological growth permits natural regeneration within human timeframes.
Natural resources are categorized by their capacity for natural regeneration within human operational timeframes. Crude oil is non-renewable because its geological formation requires millions of years, rendering its reserves finite and exhaustible. Mangrove timber is a biological resource that naturally regenerates within years or decades, making it renewable under sustainable management.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Classification of renewable vs non-renewable natural resources based on regeneration timescales