Lthosphere

Question 1

How does the igneous process create mineral deposits?

Answer 1

creating rocks by the cooling and hardening of magma.

Question 2

How does hydrothermal deposition create mineral deposits?

Answer 2

igneous intrusions rocks are formed from the heating/cooling of magma
Pressurised superheated water moves away from the batholith and cools forming crystals

Question 3

How does the metamorphic process create mineral deposits?

Answer 3

igneous processes and tectonic movements can alter existing rocks without a high temp./pressure produces metamorphic rocks

Question 4

How does the sedimentary process create mineral deposits?

Answer 4

causes minerals to settle and build up layers of deposited sediments

Question 5

How do proterozoic marine sediments form?

Answer 5

form when dissolved iron compounds become oxidised by o2 from photosynthesis producing insoluable iron oxide deposits

Question 6

How are alluvial deposits formed

Answer 6

materials are carried and separated by flowing water and different densities minerals can be carried in different velocities of water

Question 7

How are evaporites formed?

Answer 7

Isolated seas then crystals can be formed as the water evaporates

Question 8

What is Lasky’s principle

Answer 8

In general, as the purity of the mineral decrease, the amount of mineral present increases exponentially

Question 9

What is the stock

Answer 9

All minerals in the lithosphere

Question 10

What is the resource

Answer 10

contains all exploitable materials including future exploitable materials

Question 11

What is the reserve

Answer 11

contains all materials that can be exploited now

Question 12

How does ir spectroscopy detect rocks

Answer 12

different minerals emit infrared radiation at different wavelengths and these can be used to identify them

Question 13

How does gravimetry detect rocks

Answer 13

gravimeters detect variations in gravity caused by variation in density and mass

Question 14

How does magnetometry detect rocks

Answer 14

magnetometers detect rocks that are more magnetic

Question 15

How do seismic surveys detect rocks?

Answer 15

sound waves are produced by controlled explosions/ seismic vibrator. The echoes can give information about the depth, density and shape of rock strata

Question 16

What is resistivity

Answer 16

is the measurement of the difficulty with which electricity passes through a material

Question 17

What is trial drilling

Answer 17

taking samples of the rocks underground

Question 18

What is chemical analysis

Answer 18

using lab tests to confirm the chemical composition and purity of the minerals in the rock samples

Question 19

If the market value is high the COOG…

Answer 19

decreases

Question 20

If the market value is low the COOG…

Answer 20

increases

Question 21

If technology improves the COOG…

Answer 21

decreases

Question 22

If there is a high energy cost the COOG…

Answer 22

increases

Question 23

What is the loss of amenity?

Answer 23

mining causes aesthetic problems for local communities but mines can be restored when no longer used

Question 24

What causes dust and how can it be limited

Answer 24

blasting and vehicle movement cause dust and water sprays limit dust

Question 25

How can noise be reduced?

Answer 25

carrying out blasting at certain times and using embankments to absorb the noise

Question 26

What effect can turbid drainage water have?

Answer 26

limit light in water for photosynthesis

Question 27

What is bioleaching?

Answer 27

using bacteria to extract minerals

Question 28

What is phytomining?

Answer 28

allowing plants to absorb minerals then burning them

Question 29

What is iron displacement?

Answer 29

using iron to displace copper in a solution

Question 30

What is leachate collection?

Answer 30

percolating water through spoil heaps to dissolve metal iron and leachate

Question 31

What is polymer absorption?

Answer 31

metal ions dissolved in seawater will absorb into some synthetic and natural polymers

Question 32

what are polymetallic nodules?

Answer 32

metal-rich nodules found underwater which contains about 30% manganese and extraction requires an international agreement and is expensive

Question 33

What are the environmental impacts of extracting polymetallic nodules

Answer 33

disturb and kill the seabed, increase the turbidity of nodules, and re-deposition is likely to kill filter feeders

Question 34

What are the 2 types of waste?

Answer 34

post and pre-consumer waste

Question 35

What are biological sediments?

Answer 35

process where living organisms can form mineral deposits.

Question 36

What factors affect mining viability?

Answer 36

``` Ore purity Chemical form Overburden and hydrology Depth Economic viability Transport Costs Market Economics ```

Question 37

What are the environmental impacts of mineral exploitation?

Answer 37

``` Land take Habitat loss Loss of amenity Dust Noise Turbid drainage water Spoil disposal ```

Question 38

What are 2 improvements in exploratory techniques?

Answer 38

Better remote sensing | Portable field equipment

Question 39

What does deep mining allow?

Answer 39

Mining underground where it may be too hot or dangerous

Question 40

What does open-cast mining allow?

Answer 40

Minerals to be extracted quickly and cost-effectively