Term | Definition |
Minerals | Naturally occurring material on/in the Earth's surface with an internal crystalline structure. |
Metallic Minerals | Examples include Al, Fe (iron), Au (gold), Ag (silver) |
Non-Metallic Minerals | Examples include sand, gravel |
Single Element Mineral | Au (gold), Ag (silver) |
Several Elements Minerals | Salt (NaCl), Quartz (silicon dioxide) SiO2 |
Rock | Made up of one or more minerals that is part of the Earth's crust |
Single Mineral Rock Composite | Example: Limestone (calcium carbonate)- CaCO3 |
Several Mineral Rock Composite | Example: Granite (mixture of mica, feldspar, and quartz) |
Ore | Rock that contains metal |
Rock Formation | 1. Igneous Rock
2. Sedimentary Rock
3. Metamorphic Rock |
Igneous Rock | Either on/inside Earth's crust formed from magma/lava
Ex: Granite |
Sedimentary Rock | Rock that forms in layers from dead plants and animals over time
Ex. Sandstone, limestone, shale |
Metamorphic Rock | Pre-existing rock that is reshaped internally from high temperature and pressures.
Ex. Slate, Marble |
Rock Cycle | Is the slowest of all cycles and considered the most important:
1. Concentrates non-renewable resources. (Releases minerals to food chain)
2. Continuance of life on planet. |
Get Coal: | Mining of Mineral Deposits |
Surface Mining | 1. Open-Pit: Big Hole
2. Area Strip Mining: Flat Surface
3. Contour Strip Mining- Leaves some vegetation, occurs on hills/mountain sides |
Sub-Surface Mining | 1. More environmentally sound.
2. Uses about 10% less land.
3. Generates less mining waste. |
Environmental Effects of Mining | 1. Scarring/destruction of land
2. Potential for land collapse (subsidence)
3. Pollution of land/water
4. Toxic mining waste
5. Toxic air emissions
6. Tailings |
Subsidence | Potential for land collapse |
75% | ...of all US solid waste is generated by mining. |
Sulfuric Acid | FeS (Iron Sulfide) when digging reacts with aerobic bacteria + H2O = H2SO4- Runs off into stream |
Tailings | Metallic ore waste. |