APES 12/7 & 12/8APES 12/7 & 12/8

Take out your soil lab

Prepare for some notes!

Take out your soil lab

Prepare for some notes!

Soil Lab AnalysisSoil Lab Analysis

Compare answers to your pre and post-lab questions

Be prepared to ask me for clarification in 5 minutes!

Compare answers to your pre and post-lab questions

Be prepared to ask me for clarification in 5 minutes!

Soil Properties and Degradation by Mining

Soil Properties and Degradation by Mining

Particle Size Particle Size

Biggest Smallest

Sand, Silt, Clay

Fine particles have higher cohesion; that’s why water can’t get through clay as well

Using a soil triangle: start at clay side and go horizontally; then to silt side and go downward diagonally; finally to sand side and diagonally left.

Biggest Smallest

Sand, Silt, Clay

Fine particles have higher cohesion; that’s why water can’t get through clay as well

Using a soil triangle: start at clay side and go horizontally; then to silt side and go downward diagonally; finally to sand side and diagonally left.

Other Physical PropertiesOther Physical Properties

You should know porosity and permeability using the lab as the teaching tool.

Porosity = how much water soil holds; permeability = how fast water flows through

You should know porosity and permeability using the lab as the teaching tool.

Porosity = how much water soil holds; permeability = how fast water flows through

Chemical PropertiesChemical Properties

1. pH

2. Cation Exchange Capacity = ability of soil to absorb/release pos. charged ions (cations)

Plants need Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+

Clay has a high CEC (b/c of neg. particles)

BUT if there’s too much clay, it absorbs water and drowns plant roots

FYI, humus also has high CEC

1. pH

2. Cation Exchange Capacity = ability of soil to absorb/release pos. charged ions (cations)

Plants need Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+

Clay has a high CEC (b/c of neg. particles)

BUT if there’s too much clay, it absorbs water and drowns plant roots

FYI, humus also has high CEC

Chemical PropertiesChemical Properties

3. Base Saturation = ratio of base:acid in soil

Bases are acceptors of extra H+; high ratio means lots of bases present to take in extra H+ from acids that might harm plant roots

3. Base Saturation = ratio of base:acid in soil

Bases are acceptors of extra H+; high ratio means lots of bases present to take in extra H+ from acids that might harm plant roots

We have lots of limestone in NW soil to counteract acids (high base saturation)

Soil! Now we know all about it…Soil! Now we know all about it…

Let’s see how we’re destroying it

Method #1: Mining

Let’s see how we’re destroying it

Method #1: Mining

Minerals and OresMinerals and Ores

Earth’s crust is 88% iron, silicon, aluminum, and oxygen

Valuable, rarer elements are found in uneven clusters because of variable distribution of rock types

Mineral = naturally occurring, crystalline solid

Ore = valuable, concentrated accumulation of minerals in rocks

Earth’s crust is 88% iron, silicon, aluminum, and oxygen

Valuable, rarer elements are found in uneven clusters because of variable distribution of rock types

Mineral = naturally occurring, crystalline solid

Ore = valuable, concentrated accumulation of minerals in rocks

Important OresImportant Ores

Metallic minerals- valuable for ability to conduct electricity, structural purposes, etc. (i.e, copper, gold, lead, rare earth metals for batteries)

Salt, sand

Fossil fuels (carbon-based)

Metallic minerals- valuable for ability to conduct electricity, structural purposes, etc. (i.e, copper, gold, lead, rare earth metals for batteries)

Salt, sand

Fossil fuels (carbon-based)

IRONCOALMICA

MANGANESE

Metallic Non-metallic Energy Ferrous Non-ferrous Limestone Coal

Iron Gold Nitrate Petroleum

Manganese Silver Potash Natural Gas

Chromite Copper Dolomite

Pyrite Lead Mica

Tungsten Bauxite Gypsum

Nickel Tin Coal

Cobalt Magnesium Petroleum

What do we mine for?What do we mine for?

Costs of MiningCosts of Mining

Why is mining so terrible for the soil and underlying bedrock? Let’s explore!

Why is mining so terrible for the soil and underlying bedrock? Let’s explore!

Mining Simulation LabMining Simulation Lab

MaterialsMaterials Bucket with your mining

site

Small cup (your truck)

Forceps

Wooden skewers

Paintbrushes

Data table

Bucket with your mining site

Small cup (your truck)

Forceps

Wooden skewers

Paintbrushes

Data table

Group RolesGroup Roles Field Geologist (looks for

ore)

Accountant (keeps track of $$$)

Miner (digger/transporter)

2 Process engineers (deshell ore)

2 Env. Engineers (clean up)

Field Geologist (looks for ore)

Accountant (keeps track of $$$)

Miner (digger/transporter)

2 Process engineers (deshell ore)

2 Env. Engineers (clean up)

Rules and RegulationsRules and Regulations1. You are trying to mine as many ores as possible to

turn a profit

2. You cannot touch anything directly with your fingers except for animals

3. We will mine for 15 days (each minute = 1 day)

a. 30 sec of daylight for mining, 30 seconds of dark for clean-up/accounting

4. You must keep your mine shell-free or you will be fined

5. At the end of the 15 days, you will do your final accounting and clean up (you will be fined $10 if you don’t follow the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 that says you must restore your land to its pre-mining state)

1. You are trying to mine as many ores as possible to turn a profit

2. You cannot touch anything directly with your fingers except for animals

3. We will mine for 15 days (each minute = 1 day)

a. 30 sec of daylight for mining, 30 seconds of dark for clean-up/accounting

4. You must keep your mine shell-free or you will be fined

5. At the end of the 15 days, you will do your final accounting and clean up (you will be fined $10 if you don’t follow the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 that says you must restore your land to its pre-mining state)

Pre-Lab Planning (15 min.)Pre-Lab Planning (15 min.)

Decide on a company name and write it on the board

Make a data table to track your profits and expenses (one only-won’t be turned in)

Sketch your pre-mined site in section 3 of your lab book

Decide on up-front expenses:Buy a mine site for $5 or $2 + 10% final

profit?Buy a reclamation bond for $5 (insurance to

avoid fine at end)?Buy trucks and extra tools?Remove rocks, houses, animals? (see costs)

Decide on a company name and write it on the board

Make a data table to track your profits and expenses (one only-won’t be turned in)

Sketch your pre-mined site in section 3 of your lab book

Decide on up-front expenses:Buy a mine site for $5 or $2 + 10% final

profit?Buy a reclamation bond for $5 (insurance to

avoid fine at end)?Buy trucks and extra tools?Remove rocks, houses, animals? (see costs)

Let’s Play!Let’s Play!

Accountants: record your pre-opening expenses

Accountants: record your pre-opening expenses

Due Next Time….Due Next Time….

Lab Questions 3, 6, 10, 12, 13, 14

Mining FRQ

Lab Questions 3, 6, 10, 12, 13, 14

Mining FRQ

Mining BasicsMining Basics

How are sites selected?consider env. cost, potential profits, amt.

and stability of overburden (materials that must be removed to reach the mineral)

Types of MiningSurface Mining (strip mining, open-pit

mining, mountaintop removal, placer mining(

Subsurface mining

How are sites selected?consider env. cost, potential profits, amt.

and stability of overburden (materials that must be removed to reach the mineral)

Types of MiningSurface Mining (strip mining, open-pit

mining, mountaintop removal, placer mining(

Subsurface mining

Surface MiningSurface Mining

1.Strip Mining: removal of mineral deposits in horizontal strips

a.Land is clear-cut and overburden is removed by explosives/heavy equipment

b.Mineral deposits removed by huge power shovels

c.Overburden is replaced

Land cannot be returned to original state, and heavy equipment compacts soil. Long-term damage.

1.Strip Mining: removal of mineral deposits in horizontal strips

a.Land is clear-cut and overburden is removed by explosives/heavy equipment

b.Mineral deposits removed by huge power shovels

c.Overburden is replaced

Land cannot be returned to original state, and heavy equipment compacts soil. Long-term damage.

Iron-Ore Mine, LiberiaIron-ore mines like this one have altered the

landscape of Liberia. The Liberian Civil War (1989-1996) and the declining world demand for iron ore led to the complete shutdown of Liberian iron-ore

mining in the early 1990s.

Coal Mine in Appalachia

Surface MiningSurface Mining

2. Mountaintop removal

Entire top of a mountain is removed by explosives, causing it to fall into surrounding valleys

Common in coal mining in Eastern U.S.

Permanently buries streams, alters topography

2. Mountaintop removal

Entire top of a mountain is removed by explosives, causing it to fall into surrounding valleys

Common in coal mining in Eastern U.S.

Permanently buries streams, alters topography

Surface MiningSurface Mining

3. Open-Pit Mining

A huge hole is dug using explosives and heavy equipment; ore is removed

Pit is abandoned and often fills with waterPit becomes acidic and polluted with heavy metals

due to mine waste left behind

Acid Mine Drainage: Sulfur compounds are oxidized by air, dissolve in rain water to form sulfuric acid run-off!

3. Open-Pit Mining

A huge hole is dug using explosives and heavy equipment; ore is removed

Pit is abandoned and often fills with waterPit becomes acidic and polluted with heavy metals

due to mine waste left behind

Acid Mine Drainage: Sulfur compounds are oxidized by air, dissolve in rain water to form sulfuric acid run-off!

One of North America’s largest open-pit copper mines, located in Kennecott, Utah.

Surface MiningSurface Mining

4. Placer MiningSearching for ores in river sediments (i.e. California Gold Rush of mid-1800’sRivers are diverted, dammed to make extraction easierMercury is used to chemically remove gold from ores, polluting rivers

4. Placer MiningSearching for ores in river sediments (i.e. California Gold Rush of mid-1800’sRivers are diverted, dammed to make extraction easierMercury is used to chemically remove gold from ores, polluting rivers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbI_ZArJ22U

Subsurface MiningSubsurface Mining

Deep, vertical shafts are drilled with horizontal branchesLess surface env. degradation, but can cause collapse, explosions (methane and coal dust)Not just for coal!- any ore too far down to remove overburden

Deep, vertical shafts are drilled with horizontal branchesLess surface env. degradation, but can cause collapse, explosions (methane and coal dust)Not just for coal!- any ore too far down to remove overburden

Types of Coal MiningTypes of Coal MiningOften called mountaintop removal

Downsides of Subsurface MiningDownsides of Subsurface Mining

Labor Intensive

Filling in mines after they are empty

Health of workers Black lung disease, high rates of cancer from particulate matters

Danger of accidents

Labor Intensive

Filling in mines after they are empty

Health of workers Black lung disease, high rates of cancer from particulate matters

Danger of accidents

Major Coal Mining AccidentsMajor Coal Mining Accidents

http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/13/us/u-s-mine-disasters-fast-facts/

China is by far the most dangerous!

2010 collapse in Chile

Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts

Clear-cutting of forests

Destruction of soil horizons

Soil compaction

Stream/river destruction, diversion, pollution

Acidic and metallic waste-water pollution

Solid waste, toxic dust and emissions 75% if all solid waste in U.S. comes from mines!

This waste is called “tailings” or mining spoils- unwanted waste material

Clear-cutting of forests

Destruction of soil horizons

Soil compaction

Stream/river destruction, diversion, pollution

Acidic and metallic waste-water pollution

Solid waste, toxic dust and emissions 75% if all solid waste in U.S. comes from mines!

This waste is called “tailings” or mining spoils- unwanted waste material

Animas River Spill (8/2015)Animas River Spill (8/2015)

https://www.rt.com/usa/319439-epa-caused-colorado-mine-spill/

Important Legislation in U.S.Important Legislation in U.S.

1. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA)

Land must be reclaimed after surface mining

Clean up any pollution

**Various levels of enforcement**

2. General Mining Law of 1872

Encourages exploration of mineral resources

Corporations can buy large tracts of public land for cheap!

Minor modifications, but critics argue companies aren’t paying enough taxes on royalties or cleaning up well.

1. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA)

Land must be reclaimed after surface mining

Clean up any pollution

**Various levels of enforcement**

2. General Mining Law of 1872

Encourages exploration of mineral resources

Corporations can buy large tracts of public land for cheap!

Minor modifications, but critics argue companies aren’t paying enough taxes on royalties or cleaning up well.