U4L7 Impacts of Metal Resources (Quiz) Flashcards
What is the definition of ores?
Naturally occurring rocks that contains useful metals and minerals mixed with large amounts of earth
What are the 4 main types of mining?
- Underground
- Surface
- Placer
- Situ
What is the definition of alluvial deposit?
Gravel and sediment deposited where flowing water slows down
What is the definition of dredges?
A machine that lifts sediment from a body of water
What is the definition of solvent?
A chemical that dissolves other substances
What is the definition of trommel?
A rotating cylindrical screen for washing and sorting ore
What is placer mining?
Placer mining is the removal of mineral from alluvial deposits and stream beds. Larger-scale placer mines use trommels or mechanical dredges to sift through much greater amounts of sediment.
How does placer mining affect the ecosystem?
As large quantities of sediments are moved, placer mining can impact the marine ecosystem and the quality of surface water downstream.
What is situ mining?
In situ mining involves the use of solvents pumped into porous rocks. The solvent dissolves the target minerals to clear a solution. The solution is then pumped out of the rock so the mineral can be extracted.
How can in situ mining effect the environment?
The leaching liquid can seep into the rock and contaminated ground water
What is special about lithium?
Lithium is a soft, silvery-white metal and is the lightest metal. It is also the lightest element that is solid at room temperature and pressure.
True of False.
Lithium is not in its pure form in nature.
True
Why are tin can better than aluminum in terms of quality?
Tin cans are heavier and more durable than aluminum cans, as well as being highly resistant to corrosion.
Why is aluminum harder to mine than tin?
Because of its high reactivity, aluminum is much harder to extract from the earth than tin, as aluminum bonds with other elements to form compounds such as potassium aluminum sulfate and aluminum oxide.
Why is aluminum cans used more than tin?
For one, while aluminum is harder to extract, there’s much more of it in Earth’s crust compared to tin. Compared to tough, heavy tin cans, aluminum cans are much easier to crush (and recycle). In fact, the money saved from recycling aluminum offsets the cost of extracting and refining it, which means we don’t have to dig into the earth as much or power as many factories.
