Chapter 11 Resources and Energy

A resource is any useful information, material or services. Resources can be described as being: natural resources -goods and services provided by our environment, and human resources - those provided by humans (experience, skill, wisdom and human enterprise).

Nonrenewable resources (exhaustible resources) Resources that exist in limited supply and which cannot be replaced once they are used. (May take thousands or even millions of years to form within the Earth). Examples include fossil fuels and natural gas, precious metals (gold, silver etc..)

Most natural resources on Earth are finite. That is there is only so much of a resource available on this planet. This applies to both renewable and nonrenewable resources. 4 trillion barrels of oil, million species of living organisms 38,874 cubic kilometers of fresh water, 6 billion humans.

Because many of the resources that we rely on are finite their availability can be greatly impacted by 3 human factors: populationpopulation affluence, andaffluence, and technologytechnology

Population (P) - The number of humans living on Earth using resources.

Affluence (A) - The amount of a resource consumed by an individual (per capita use).

The United States has - 5% of the world’s population; uses 25% of the world’s energy; and accounts for 25% of the world’s Gross National Product.

India has - 16% of the world’s population; uses 3% of the world’s energy; and accounts for 1% of the world’s Gross National Product.

Technology (T) - Affects the rate at which a resource is extracted/used.

The Impact on a resource can therefore be calculated by using the formula I=(P)(A)(T). I= Impact P=Population A=Affluence T=Technology

Renewable Resources These resources are self renewing, and can usually be replaced on a human time-scale. Examples? solar energy air, water (excluding aquifer water supplies), &.non-endangered biological organisms.

Formation of Ores Most metallic and non metallic elements are found chemically combined forms as minerals in the crust. Deposits of minerals from which metals and nonmetals can be removed profitably are called ores. Many ores form in or near a mass of molten magma, so igneous and nearby rocks are often fruitful hunting grounds.

Metals Shiny luster, ability to conduct heat and electricity, bend easily when in thin sheets. Can occur in pure form as native elements (copper a good example).

Non-metals Dull surface, poor conductors of heat and electricity.

In Cooling Magma Dense, metal- bearing minerals form layers on the bottom of the magma chamber.

Contact Metamorphism Heat and hot fluids flowing from the magma change the surrounding rock. Dissolved minerals form a band of ore around the igneous rock.

Veins Hot, mineral-bearing solutions break through many small cracks that deposit narrow, finger-like bands.

Lodes A deposit formed by a large number of mineral veins.

Ores and Moving Water Streams carry ore fragments until, due to their high density, they are deposited where the currents are weak.

Placer Deposits These deposits are concentrated at the bottom of stream beds.

Uses of mineral resources Some metallic ores such as gold, platinum and silver are prized for their beauty and rarity. Some nonmetallic minerals are gemstones; rare mineral crystals that display extraordinary brilliance and color when specially cut for jewelry. Other minerals are used for many other industrial purposes.

Uses of Mineral Resources See table on p. 197 for the most common ores and their uses. Untapped mineral resources include deposits that could be mined from the ocean floor, but we currently don’t have the technology to do it. Manganese nodules on ocean floor

Mineral Conservation Increased PAT (population, affluence, and technology) means increased use of mineral resources.

Ways to Preserve Mineral Resources Through conservation, use of alternative materials, or by recycling.

Assignment 11.1 Key Terms 11.1 Review p. 197, # Worksheet Due tomorrow, beginning of period.