ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 13e CHAPTER 12: Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral

Core Case Study: The Real Cost of Gold Two wedding rings = 6 tons of mining waste Gold mining pollutes air and water Toxic cyanide used to mine gold Gold mining harms wildlife

Fig. 12-1, p. 273

12-1 What Are the Earth’s Major Geological Processes and Hazards? Concept 12-1 Dynamic processes move matter within the earth and on its surface and can cause volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and earthquakes.

The Earth Is a Dynamic Planet What is geology? Earth’s internal structure –Core –Mantle –Asthenosphere –Crust –Lithosphere

Plate Tectonics Tectonic plates Divergent plate boundaries Convergent boundaries Transform fault boundaries

Fig. 12-2, p. 275

Mantle (asthenosphere) Mantle (lithosphere) Continental crust (lithosphere) Continental rise Continental slope Continental shelf Abyssal plain Folded mountain belt Abyssal plain Oceanic crust (lithosphere) Abyssal hills Abyssal floor Abyssal floor Oceanic ridge Trench Craton Volcanoes Fig. 12-2, p. 275

Fig. 12-3, p. 275

Inner core Hot outer core Mantle Continental crust Cold dense material falls back through mantle Hot material rising through the mantle Two plates move towards each other. One is subducted back into the mantle on a falling convection current. Mantle convection cell Oceanic crust Ocean trench Spreading center Continental crust Subduction zone Material cools as it reaches the outer mantle Fig. 12-3, p. 275

Fig. 12-4, p. 276

PACIFIC PLATE PACIFIC PLATE JUAN DE FUCA PLATE JUAN DE FUCA PLATE CHINA SUBPLATE CHINA SUBPLATE PHILIPPINE PLATE PHILIPPINE PLATE INDIA-AUSTRALIAN PLATE INDIA-AUSTRALIAN PLATE AFRICAN PLATE AFRICAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE ARABIAN PLATE SOMALIAN SUBPLATE SOMALIAN SUBPLATE ANATOLIAN PLATE ANATOLIAN PLATE CARIBBEAN PLATE CARIBBEAN PLATE EURASIAN PLATE NORTH AMERICAN PLATE NORTH AMERICAN PLATE SOUTH AMERICAN PLATE SOUTH AMERICAN PLATE NAZCA PLATE NAZCA PLATE ANTARCTIC PLATE Fig. 12-4, p. 276 Divergent plate boundariesConvergent plate boundariesTransform faults

Fig. 12-5, p. 277

Volcanoes Magma Lava Eruptions –Lava rock –Hot ash –Liquid lava –Gases

Fig. 12-6, p. 277

Extinct volcanoes Upwelling magma Partially molten asthenosphere Solid lithosphere Magma reservoir Magma conduit Central vent Ash Acid rain Eruption cloud Lava flow Mud flow Landslide Ash flow

Earthquakes Stressed rocks shift or break Seismic waves Seismographs Richter scale to measure amplitude Tsunami

Fig. 12-7, p. 278

Earth movements cause flooding in low-lying areas Two adjoining plates move laterally along the fault line Landslides may occur on hilly ground Epicenter Focus Shock waves Liquefaction of recent sediments causes buildings to sink

Fig. 12-8, p. 279

Fig. 12-9, p. 279

Fig , p. 280

Undersea thrust fault Earthquake in seafloor swiftly pushes water upwards, and starts a series of waves Waves move rapidly in deep ocean reaching speeds of up to 890 kilometers per hour. As the waves near land they slow to about 45 kilometers per hour but are squeezed upwards and increased in height. Waves head inland causing damage in their path. Malaysia Indonesia Sumatra Sri Lanka India Thailand Bangladesh Burma December 26, 2004, tsunami Earthquake Upward wave

12-2 How Are Earth’s Rocks Recycled? Concept 12-2 The three major types of rock found in the earth’s crust are recycled very slowly by physical and chemical processes.

Rocks and Minerals Minerals Rock –Igneous –Sedimentary –Metamorphic Rock cycle

Sedimentary Rocks Sediments –Tiny particles of eroded rocks –Dead plant and animal remains Transported by water, wind, or gravity Pressure converts into rock –Sandstone –Shale –Coal – some types

Igneous Rocks Forms from magma Can cool beneath earth’s surface –Granite Can cool above earth’s surface –Lava rocks Most of earth’s crust

Metamorphic Rocks From preexisting rocks –Pressure –Heat –Chemically active fluids Slate from shale Marble from limestone

Fig , p. 282

Metamorphic rock Slate, marble, gneiss, quartzite Melting Magma (molten rock) Cooling Granite, pumice, basalt Weathering Erosion Transportation Deposition Heat, pressure Heat, pressure, stress Sandstone, limestone Sedimentary rock Igneous rock Fig , p. 282

12-3 What Are Mineral Resources and What Are the Environmental Effects of Using Them? Concept 12-3 Some minerals in the earth’s crust can be made into useful products, but extracting and using these resources can disturb the land, erode soils, produce large amounts of solid waste, and pollute the air, water, and soil.

Nonrenewable Mineral Resources (1) Minerals Mineral resources –Fossil fuels –Metallic –Nonmetallic Reserves

Nonrenewable Mineral Resources (2) Ore –High-grade ore –Low-grade ore Examples of mineral resources –Aluminum –Iron – used for steel –Copper –Gold –Sand and gravel

Fig , p. 283

Surface mining Metal oreSeparation of ore from gangue Smelting Melting metal Conversion to product Discarding of product Recycling Fig , p. 283

Conversion to product Stepped Art Surface mining Metal ore Separation of ore from gangue Smelting Melting metal Discarding of product Recycling Fig , p. 283

Fig , p. 284

Extracting Mineral Deposits (1) Surface mining Overburden Spoils Open-pit mining

Extracting Mineral Deposits (2) Strip mining Area strip mining Contour strip mining Mountaintop removal Subsurface mining

Fig , p. 284

Fig , p. 285

Spoil banks Bench Undisturbed land Overburden Pit Fig , p. 285

Harmful Environmental Effects of Mining Disruption of land surface Damage to forests and watersheds Biodiversity harmed Subsidence Toxic-laced mining wastes Acid mine drainage

Fig , p. 285

Fig , p. 286

Harmful Environmental Effects of Removing Metals from Ores Ore mineral – desired metal Gangue – waste material Smelting –Air pollution –Water pollution –Acidified nearby soils –Liquid and solid hazardous wastes

12-4 How Long Will Supplies of Nonrenewable Mineral Resources Last? Concept 12-4 Raising the price of a scarce mineral resource can lead to an increase in its supply, but there are environmental limits to this effect.

Uneven Distribution of Mineral Resources Abundant minerals Scarce minerals Exporters and importers Strategic metal resources –Economic and military strength –U.S. dependency on importing four critical minerals

Supplies of Mineral Resources Available supply and use Economic depletion Five choices after depletion 1. Recycle or reuse 2. Waste less 3. Use less 4. Find a substitute 5. Do without

Market Prices Affect Supplies of Nonrenewable Minerals Supply and demand affect price Not a free market in developed countries –Subsides, taxes, regulations, import tariffs Prices of minerals don’t reflect their true costs Developing new mines is expensive and economically risky

Science Focus: Nanotechnology 100 nanometers or less –1 nanometer = 1 billionth of a meter Widespread applications Potential risks Need for guidelines and regulations Future applications

Case Study: U.S. General Mining Law of 1872 Design: Encourage exploration and mining Mining claim can give legal ownership of land Abused: land used for other purposes Low royalties to federal government Leave toxic wastes behind $32-72 billion est. to clean up abandoned mines

Fig , p. 289

Mining Lower-grade Ores Improved equipment and technologies Limiting factors –Cost –Supplies of freshwater –Environmental impacts Biomining –In-situ mining –Slow

Ocean Mining Minerals from seawater Hydrothermal deposits Manganese-rich nodules High costs Ownership issues Environmental issues

12-5 How Can We Use Mineral Resources More Sustainably? Concept 12-5 We can try to find substitutes for scarce resources, reduce resource waste, and recycle and reuse minerals.

Finding Substitutes for Scarce Mineral Resources Materials revolution –Ceramics –Plastics –Fiber-optic glass cables Limitations Recycle and reuse –Less environmental impact

Using Nonrenewable Resources More Sustainably Decrease use and waste 3M Company –Pollution Prevention Pays (3P) program Economic and environmental benefits of cleaner production

Fig , p. 291

Case Study: Industrial Ecosystems (1) Mimic nature to deal with wastes – biomimicry Waste outputs become resource inputs Recycle and reuse Resource exchange webs

Case Study: Industrial Ecosystems (2) Reclaiming brownfields Industrial ecology Ecoindustrial revolution

Fig , p. 292

Pharmaceutical plant Local farmers Fish farming Cement manufacturer Area homes Surplus natural gas Surplus natural gas Surplus sulfur Waste heat Waste heat Waste heat Waste heat Sludge Waste heat Waste calcium sulfate Electric power plant Wallboard factory Sulfuric acid producer Fly ash Greenhouses Oil refinery Fig , p. 292

Electric power plant Sulfuric acid producer Surplus sulfur Greenhouses Waste heat Cement manufacturer Fly ash Oil refinery Waste heat Surplus natural gas Area homes Waste heat Fish farming Waste heat Wallboard factory Waste calcium sulfate Surplus natural gas Local farmers Sludge Pharmaceutical plant Waste heat Stepped Art Fig , p. 292

Three Big Ideas from This Chapter - #1 Dynamic forces that move matter within the earth and on its surface recycle the earth’s rocks, form deposits of mineral resources, and cause volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

Three Big Ideas from This Chapter - #2 The available supply of a mineral resource depends on how much of it is in the earth’s crust, how fast we use it, mining technology, market prices, and the harmful environmental effects of removing and using it.

Three Big Ideas from This Chapter - #3 We can use mineral resources more sustainably by trying to find substitutes for scarce resources, reducing resource waste, and reusing and recycling nonrenewable minerals.

Animation: Geological Forces PLAY ANIMATION

Animation: Plate Margins PLAY ANIMATION

Animation: Sulfur Cycle PLAY ANIMATION

Animation: Resources Depletion and Degradation PLAY ANIMATION

Video: Continental Drift PLAY VIDEO

Video: Asteroid Menace PLAY VIDEO

Video: Indonesian Earthquake PLAY VIDEO

Video: Tsunami Alert Testing PLAY VIDEO

Video: Mount Merapi Volcano Eruption PLAY VIDEO