22: Geological Resources
- Page ID
- 29207
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Describe the three broad categories of geological resources and explain the importance of geological resources to society.
- Summarize the history of mining in the United States and California, including the California Gold Rush and its environmental legacy.
- Define ore deposit and concentration factor, and explain why significant concentration is required to make a deposit economically viable.
- Compare and contrast the formation of placer, lode (hydrothermal vein), porphyry, Carlin-type, banded iron formation, and sandstone-hosted uranium deposits.
- Explain how metal deposits are mined and processed, including open-pit and underground methods.
- Define acid rock drainage (ARD) and explain how mining operations can lead to ARD and metal contamination.
- Identify the major nonmetallic mineral resources and describe their uses.
- Describe the processes that lead to the formation of coal deposits, including how burial depth and heat affect coal grade.
- Explain how oil and gas form, the distinction between source rocks and reservoir rocks, and the role of structural traps.
- Describe the origins and extraction of unconventional fossil fuels, including oil sands, shale gas, and coal-bed methane.
- Explain how nuclear fission generates electricity, and describe how uranium is mined, processed, and enriched for use as reactor fuel.
- Explain how geothermal energy is used to generate electricity and provide heating and cooling
- 22.1: What Are Geological Resources?
- This page explores the crucial role of geological resources in shaping human history and cultural contexts, focusing on energy, metals, and nonmetals. It details the formation, extraction, and processing of these resources, while emphasizing their cultural significance, especially for Indigenous peoples.
- 22.2: Mining in the U.S. and California
- This page outlines the historical importance of mining in the U.S., starting with Native American copper mining in Michigan 7,000 years ago, and notably covering the California Gold Rush ignited by James Marshall in 1848, which caused significant migration and environmental changes. Currently, U.S. non-fuel mineral production is valued at $112 billion, involving various commodities like crushed stone and gold, showcasing its relevance to modern infrastructure.
- 22.3: Metallic Resources
- This page covers ore deposits, their types (placer and lode), and formation processes, including porphyry deposits as key sources of copper. It discusses mechanisms of metal enrichment and mining methods. The economic significance, such as contributions to steel and gold production, is highlighted. Environmental issues linked to mine waste, particularly acid rock drainage and risks from tailings ponds, are also addressed, exemplified by the Mt. Polley disaster.
- 22.4: Nonmetallic Mineral Deposits
- This page highlights the crucial role of non-metallic materials in technology and infrastructure, focusing on aggregates like sand, gravel, and limestone essential for concrete, glass, and industrial uses. It emphasizes glacial deposits as key sources of these aggregates and discusses evaporite minerals, such as salt and gypsum, detailing their applications in food, construction, and agriculture. Additionally, it notes the importance of quarried rocks in building materials and construction.
- 22.5: Fossil Fuels
- This page covers fossil fuels, highlighting their carbon-rich nature derived from organic matter. Coal forms in swampy areas, while oil and gas originate from marine microorganisms. Exploration methods like seismic surveys are essential for locating these resources. It also addresses hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas extraction and associated environmental concerns, including water usage and contamination risks.
- 22.6: Nuclear Energy
- This page covers nuclear energy, which includes fission and fusion, detailing how fission generates heat for electricity but produces radioactive waste and relies on nonrenewable uranium. About 18-19% of U.S. electricity is from nuclear power, with safety concerns arising from past accidents affecting public perception.
- 22.7: Geothermal Energy
- This page discusses geothermal energy as a source of heat from within the Earth, used mainly for heating and electricity generation, particularly in high heat flow areas like near volcanoes. It explains the function of geo-exchange systems and highlights geothermal power plants, with examples like The Geysers and Krafla. While some nations depend on geothermal energy for electricity, its growth has lagged behind wind and solar energy.
- 22.8: Chapter 22 Summary and Key Term Check
- This page covers geological resources, including energy (coal, oil, gas, uranium), metals (gold, copper, lithium), and nonmetallic materials (sand, gravel, cement). It emphasizes mining's historical and economic significance in the U.S., particularly the California Gold Rush, and explains different mining processes and resource types.