Lithosphere Flashcards
Name a few selected materials extracted from the lithosphere (top marks for a non-metal)
- Iron
- Aluminium
- Copper
- Zinc
-Lead - Uranium
- Gold
- Mercury
- Sulphur (Non-metal)
- Limestone (Non-metal)
- Salt (Non-metal)
What are Igneous Processes?
The process of rocks and minerals being created by the cooling and hardening of magma or molten lava
What are metamorphic Processes?
The process of tectonic movements and igneous altering existing rock using high temperature and pressure without melting them
What are Sedimentary Processes?
The process of minerals settling and building up before being cemented and turned into sedimentary rocks
What are examples of Sedimentary Processes?
- Evaporites, where ancient sea bays are isolated and the water evaporates, leaving behind crystalised minerals
- Biological Sediments, where biological material such as marine organism shells, vegetation or marine organisms are deposited and buried to become limestone, coal or oil
What type of process is Hydrothermal deposition and what is it?
An Igneous process where igneous intrusions cool under the crust, producing superheated water that dissolves minerals which travel up fissures and are cooled, producing crystals least soluble material first.
What is Lasky’s Principle?
In general, as the purity of a metal decreases, the amount of that mineral increases exponentially
What are Stocks or Resource Base?
All the materials that exist in the Lithosphere
What are Resources?
All materials that are theoretically available for exploitation, including currently exploitable or realistically future-exploitable
What are Reserves?
The amount of a resource that can be exploited now, economically using existing technology. This is limited by market price and the, available technology, high cost or environmental impact
What is the definition of remote sensing techniques? Name a few
A technique that can give information about minerals without taking samples.
Examples:
- IR spectroscopy (identifying IR wavelengths given off by different materials)
- Gravimetry (detect variations in density and mass via gravity)
- Magnetometry (detect magnetic materials)
What are non-remote sensing techniques? Name a few
A technique that gives information that requires disturbing the environment and/or taking a sample.
Examples:
- Seismic Surveys (checking vibrations caused by explosions)
- Resistivity (checking how well the material conducts)
- Trial Drilling (taking a sample using a drill)
- Chemical Analysis (taking a sample to confirm chemical composition)
How does Ore Purity effect mining viability?
Lower purity ores require the same if not more effort than higher purity with less reward, so must be balanced against what is profitable using a COOG
How does Chemical Form effect mining viability?
It effects the ease of extraction which costs more money the less easy it is
How do Overburden and Hydrology effect mining viability?
Hard, loose or impermeable rock above ores can hugely increase costs due to requiring explosives, more time or drainage efforts
How does Depth effect mining viability?
As depth increases cost and time increases even more as the sides of the mine cannot be vertical so the rock removed as mines get deeper is larger
What is COOG and how does it effect mining viability and how is it determined?
COOG is Cut-Off Ore Grade, meaning the lowest ore purity that can be mined economically (still making a profit). COOG depends on market value, cost of technology and energy cost
How does Transport Cost effect mining viability?
High transport costs due to distance, ease of transport and terrain will make the operation cost more
How does the Land Take of Mining effect the environment?
- Minerals can only be exploited in certain positions as that is where they are deposited
- Land area for mining is massive requiring room for the hole, buildings, access routes, dumping and buffer zones
- This can cause major land-use conflicts
- It also causes major habitat loss or loss of visual appeal
How does the Dust and Noise of mining effect the environment?
- Dust can cause respiratory problems for animals
- Noise can disturb both people and wildlife
How does Turbid Drainage Water of mining effect the environment?
- Can increase turbidity of nearby rivers, reducing light penetration
- Can cover and kill plants and animals
How does Incorrect Spoil Disposal in mining effect the environment?
- Can ruin aesthetics
- Piles of spoil can lead to dangerous landslides
- Toxic metals can dissolve into infiltrating rain and become mobile producing acidic leachate which can dissolve other toxic metals
How can we minimise Land Take environmental effects?
Restore mining sites after use to return wildlife and/or aesthetics to the area
How can we minimise Dust and Noise environmental effects
- Dust can be reduced using water sprays that clump the dust together
- Noise can be reduced by constructing baffle mounds around the mine and setting times of day to do blastings
How can we minimise Turbid Drainage Water environmental effects?
Sedimentation lagoons that allow suspended solids to settle, reducing turbidity of drainage
How can minimise the environmental effects of Spoil Dispsal?
- Landscaping can reduce aesthetic issues and increase stability
- Leachate can be prevented by running any drainage water through limestone bed filters to immobilise the toxic metals
What is Bioleaching?
A way of exploiting low-grade ores by growing fungus or bacteria that produce acids capable of dissolving certain metals
What is Phytomining?
A way of exploiting low-grade ores by growing plants that will absorb them as nutrients and then be harvested and incinerated and separated by acid and electrolysis
What is Iron Displacement?
A way of exploiting low-grade ores by having iron, a more reactive metal, replace the metal in the ore compound, leaving the metal seperate
What is Polymer Adsorption?
A way of exploiting metals found in seawater by having them adsorb to polymer and collecting them later
What are polymetallic nodules? Why have we not yet exploited them?
Metal rich nodules on the seabed, the exploitation of which would be difficult, expensive and require international agreement on seabed ownership. Additionally, harvesting them would likely destroy the surrounding seabed and kick up sediment
What are the two forms of waste able to be recycled?
Pre-consumer, excess produced during creation such as trimmings
and
Post-consumer, discarded or out-of-date products
What are issues with Recycling schemes?
- Transport cannot be in bulk and so many smaller trips will be needed
- Labour costs
- Separation issues
- Identification issues
- Energy costs
- Public cooperation
What is Cradle to Cradle Design?
Designing products to be easily recycled and/or reused after the end of their useful lives
