HOW DO MINERALS AFFECT THE WORLD?

MINERAL DUST  Mineral dust can be a major source of iron in the ocean. Mineral dust can also alter the earths temperature through direct and indirect climate forcing. Mineral dust can alter the chemical balance through surface absorption and reaction. Mineral in the respirable can cause health problems especially if the particles are associated with bacteria and other microbes. Mineral dust can also affect the global radiation balance indirectly through their interaction with clouds by acting as cloud nucleation nuclei (CCN).

OCEAN RESOURCES  The oceans hold a lot of extremely valuable resources. Sand and gravel, oil and gas have been extracted from the sea for many years. In addition, minerals transported by erosion from the continents to the coastal areas are mined from the shallow shelf and beach areas.

IRON  Iron is an essential element for all biological organisms including those in marine environments. It has been suggested that 30 % of the oceans are comprised with high nutrient low chlorophyll regions where phytoplankton primary productivity is limited by the amount of bioavailable iron.

MINERALS AFFECT ON THE WORLD  Minerals in the environment and products manufactured from mineral materials are all around us and we use and encounter them every day. They impact our way of life and the health of all that lives. Minerals are critical to the Nation's economy and knowing where future mineral resources will come from is important for sustaining the Nation's economy and national security.

MINERALS AFFECT ON DAILY LIFE  We use minerals every day to grow, prepare, and eat our food. Much of our food is grown using fertilizers made from phosphate and potash. Meat and poultry come from animals that eat fodder grown with mineral-based fertilizers that may be supplemented with selenium, phosphorus, or zinc.

MINERALS AFFECT ON BUILDING  Drywall is made from gypsum, Concrete in the foundation is made with limestone and aggregate reinforced with steel rebar, Bricks are made from clay, Titanium oxide is used to make paint, Silica is used to make windows, Electrical wiring is made from copper, Iron and copper are used to make pipes for plumbing, and Faucets contain various combinations of iron, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum combined to make stainless steel.

LINKS   global-process-including-climate-and-ocean 