🏝️Earth Science Unit 7 – Earth's Mineral and Energy Resources

What's This Unit All About?

• Explores the various mineral and energy resources found on Earth
• Examines the formation, distribution, and characteristics of these resources
• Discusses the methods used to locate, extract, and process these resources
• Investigates the environmental impacts and challenges associated with resource extraction and use
  • Includes air and water pollution, habitat destruction, and greenhouse gas emissions
• Emphasizes the importance of sustainable resource management and conservation
• Highlights the role of technology in improving resource efficiency and reducing environmental impacts
• Explores the economic and geopolitical factors influencing resource availability and use

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Mineral resources: naturally occurring substances formed through geological processes that have economic value
• Energy resources: substances or phenomena that can be used to produce energy (fossil fuels, renewable sources)
• Ore: a naturally occurring material containing valuable minerals that can be extracted economically
• Fossil fuels: energy resources formed from the remains of ancient organisms (coal, oil, natural gas)
• Renewable energy: energy derived from sources that replenish naturally (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal)
• Sustainability: meeting current resource needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs
• Resource depletion: the exhaustion of a resource faster than it can be replenished
• Environmental impact assessment (EIA): a process to evaluate the potential environmental consequences of a proposed project

Types of Mineral Resources

• Metallic minerals: contain metals that can be extracted and used (iron, copper, gold, silver)
  • Iron is used in the production of steel for construction and manufacturing
  • Copper is essential for electrical wiring and electronic components
• Non-metallic minerals: do not contain extractable metals but have other uses (salt, gypsum, clay)
  • Salt is used in food preservation and chemical production
  • Gypsum is a key ingredient in drywall and plaster
• Precious minerals: rare and highly valuable (diamonds, rubies, emeralds)
• Industrial minerals: used in construction and manufacturing (sand, gravel, limestone)
• Mineral fuels: organic compounds used as energy sources (coal, oil, natural gas)
• Rare earth elements: a group of 17 elements with unique properties essential for modern technologies (smartphones, wind turbines)

Energy Resource Basics

• Non-renewable energy: finite resources that cannot be replenished on a human timescale (fossil fuels, nuclear)
  • Fossil fuels are the primary source of global energy but contribute to climate change
  • Nuclear energy produces no greenhouse gases but raises concerns about safety and waste disposal
• Renewable energy: resources that can be replenished naturally (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass)
  • Solar energy harnesses the power of the sun through photovoltaic cells or thermal collectors
  • Wind energy uses turbines to convert kinetic energy from moving air into electricity
• Energy efficiency: using less energy to achieve the same outcome or service
• Energy conservation: reducing energy consumption through behavioral changes or technology
• Energy transition: the shift from fossil fuels to low-carbon or renewable energy sources

How We Find and Extract Resources

• Geological surveys: studies of Earth's surface and subsurface to identify potential resource deposits
  • Includes field observations, aerial photography, and satellite imagery
• Geophysical methods: techniques that measure physical properties of the Earth to detect resources (seismic, magnetic, gravitational)
• Drilling and core sampling: extracting cylindrical rock samples to assess resource quality and quantity
• Surface mining: extracting resources near the Earth's surface (open-pit, strip mining)
  • Open-pit mining involves removing overlying rock and soil to access the resource
• Underground mining: extracting resources deep beneath the Earth's surface (room-and-pillar, longwall)
  • Room-and-pillar mining leaves pillars of rock to support the roof while resources are extracted
• In-situ leaching: dissolving resources in place and pumping the solution to the surface for processing
• Fracking: injecting high-pressure fluids into rock formations to release trapped oil or gas

Environmental Impacts and Challenges

• Land disturbance: clearing vegetation, removing topsoil, and altering landforms
  • Can lead to soil erosion, habitat loss, and reduced biodiversity
• Air pollution: release of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and other contaminants from mining and processing
• Water pollution: contamination of surface and groundwater by heavy metals, acids, and other chemicals
  • Acid mine drainage occurs when exposed sulfide minerals react with water and air, creating acidic runoff
• Greenhouse gas emissions: release of carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases that contribute to climate change
• Waste management: disposal of overburden, tailings, and other waste materials generated during extraction and processing
• Ecosystem disruption: fragmentation of habitats, alteration of migration routes, and introduction of invasive species
• Social and economic impacts: displacement of communities, loss of traditional livelihoods, and boom-bust cycles in resource-dependent economies

Sustainability and Future Trends

• Circular economy: a model that minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency through reuse, recycling, and recovery
• Renewable energy transition: the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Energy storage: technologies that store excess energy for later use (batteries, pumped hydro, compressed air)
• Carbon capture and storage (CCS): capturing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and storing them underground
• Urban mining: recovering valuable materials from discarded products and infrastructure (e-waste, building materials)
• Sustainable mining practices: minimizing environmental impacts, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring social responsibility
• International cooperation: collaborating to address global challenges, share best practices, and promote sustainable resource management

Real-World Applications

• Smartphones: contain a variety of mineral resources (rare earth elements, copper, gold) and rely on energy for production and use
• Electric vehicles: require mineral resources for batteries (lithium, cobalt, nickel) and renewable energy for charging
• Green buildings: incorporate sustainable materials (recycled steel, bamboo, low-carbon concrete) and energy-efficient technologies
• Solar panels: harness renewable solar energy and require mineral resources (silicon, silver, copper) for production
• Wind turbines: generate renewable electricity and use mineral resources (steel, rare earth elements) in their construction
• Smart grids: optimize energy distribution and enable the integration of renewable energy sources
• Recycling facilities: recover valuable materials from discarded products, reducing the need for virgin resources and minimizing waste
• Mine reclamation projects: restore land and ecosystems affected by mining activities, promoting biodiversity and sustainable land use