Chapter 7: Resources and the Environment

Chapter 7.1

Mineral Resources

Renewable or Nonrenewable? The decisions that are made about earth’s resources have effects on its environment. Environment includes all resources, influences and conditions near Earth’s surface. Important to the world economy are coal, oil and the metal ores. Renewable resources – one that can be replaced in nature at a rate close to its rate of use. Oxygen, tree, food grown in soil Nonrenewable resources – exists in a fixed amount or is used up faster than it can be replaced.

Earth’s Minerals Metallic elements are of greater economic importance than nonmetallic. Some metallic elements are easily separated from the rocks they form in e.g. gold, silver Most metals are chemically combined with other elements and must be chemically separated. ORE – when a rock contains enough of a metallic element to make separation profitable. Ore mineral – valuable minerals Gangue – left over material

Supply and Demand Minerals are not replaced as fast as or faster than they are used. Reserves are the known deposits of a mineral in ores worth mining. If demand is high and the price of a mineral goes up reserves may increase. Minerals are nonrenewable – knowing the size of the reserve helps to estimate how long reserves will last.

Use of Minerals The U.S. now imports platinum, magnesium, cobalt, tin and nickel because it has extinguished its reserves. Due to the high demand society has on metal ores all reserves are thought to be depleted in 60 years. Nonmetals such as sand, gravel and crushed stone are taken from quarries (small open pits).

Chapter 7.3

Environmental Issues

Risk and Disadvantages Nonrenewables (coal, oil) produce more pollution than renewables Mining for minerals Landscapes can be destroyed Surface compounds in the waste material can pollute streams with sulfuric acid Ore processing can leave heavy metals behind

Nonrenewable Energy Burning Fossil Fuels Nuclear reactors produce dangerous radioactive materials – there is no safe way established to store this material. Burning Fossil Fuels Pollutants irritate the nose, throat, and lungs Adds to acid rain Exploration damages natural areas

Renewable resources Have less damage impact on the environment Location is a drawback Pollution from super heated calcium-rich geothermal water can pollute lakes and streams

Using Resources Wisely Conservation May include research that improves efficiency of the people’s use of resources Find better ways of controlling the environmental impact of mining Topsoil can be removed before mining them Reducing gasoline consumption Better insulation of homes Reducing the use and recycling can help make metal and nonmetal resources last longer

Legislation E.P.A. – Environmental Protection Agency monitors and sets environmental standards Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 was designed to control pollution and to encourage the conservation of energy, water and other natural resources