IGCSE ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT
BY REEL.I
CHAPTER 1:Rocks and minerals and their exploitation
Importance of the crust:
1. The crust contains rocks and soil where plant can fix their roots to get nutrients and water
(food source).
2. Minerals (Copper/Iron/Aluminium).
3. Fossil fuels.
4. Rock from buildings and constructions.
5. Under ground water .
Types of minerals:
- Metallic
1. Ferrous (Iron is used in building and construction).
2. Non ferrous (Copper is used in electrical wire, Aluminium is used in aeroplane body, Lead is
used in batteries and cables).
3. Precious (Silver and Gold which are used in jewellery).
- Non Metallic:
1. As Fertiliser (Nitrates ,Potash and phosphate).
2. As Fuel (fossil fuel, coal, oil).
3. Chemical (sulphur ,industries).
4. Precious (Diamond eg. jewellery-drilling)
Type of rocks:
1. Igneous :( Fire),(New rocks) cooling and solidifying of lava Eg.: a) Basalt b) Granite.
2. Sedimentary: (Small particles) accumulations and compression of sediment Eg. a)
Limestone, b) Sandstone c) Clay.
, 3. Metamorphic: change of either sedimentary or metamorphic rocks shape by pressure and
heat Eg a)Marble b) Slate
- Oil and Gas are formed from the decomposition of dead plant and animals in permeable
sandstone between two impermeable shale rocks.
- Fossil fuel is found only in sedimentary rocks.
- Oil extraction is done by using: a) drilling rig b) fracking shale .
- A geological survey should be done before drilling.
Fracking shale : - a vertical hole 2 – 3 km deep is drilled to reach the shale rock - water,
chemical and sand are pumped down into the shale rock under pressure this cause the rock
to split open and release oil and natural gas which is forced to the surface and collected.
Impacts of exploiting minerals and environmental conservation:
1. Mining: The process by which the minerals are extracted from rock in the earth crust.
- Type of Mining :
A- Surface mining: (open cast ,open cut , open pit , strip mining )
1. Remove vegetation cover.
2. Break down rocks by using explosives.
3. Remove away broken rocks by using tracks.
4. Minerals extraction.
MANAGEMENT
BY REEL.I
CHAPTER 1:Rocks and minerals and their exploitation
Importance of the crust:
1. The crust contains rocks and soil where plant can fix their roots to get nutrients and water
(food source).
2. Minerals (Copper/Iron/Aluminium).
3. Fossil fuels.
4. Rock from buildings and constructions.
5. Under ground water .
Types of minerals:
- Metallic
1. Ferrous (Iron is used in building and construction).
2. Non ferrous (Copper is used in electrical wire, Aluminium is used in aeroplane body, Lead is
used in batteries and cables).
3. Precious (Silver and Gold which are used in jewellery).
- Non Metallic:
1. As Fertiliser (Nitrates ,Potash and phosphate).
2. As Fuel (fossil fuel, coal, oil).
3. Chemical (sulphur ,industries).
4. Precious (Diamond eg. jewellery-drilling)
Type of rocks:
1. Igneous :( Fire),(New rocks) cooling and solidifying of lava Eg.: a) Basalt b) Granite.
2. Sedimentary: (Small particles) accumulations and compression of sediment Eg. a)
Limestone, b) Sandstone c) Clay.
, 3. Metamorphic: change of either sedimentary or metamorphic rocks shape by pressure and
heat Eg a)Marble b) Slate
- Oil and Gas are formed from the decomposition of dead plant and animals in permeable
sandstone between two impermeable shale rocks.
- Fossil fuel is found only in sedimentary rocks.
- Oil extraction is done by using: a) drilling rig b) fracking shale .
- A geological survey should be done before drilling.
Fracking shale : - a vertical hole 2 – 3 km deep is drilled to reach the shale rock - water,
chemical and sand are pumped down into the shale rock under pressure this cause the rock
to split open and release oil and natural gas which is forced to the surface and collected.
Impacts of exploiting minerals and environmental conservation:
1. Mining: The process by which the minerals are extracted from rock in the earth crust.
- Type of Mining :
A- Surface mining: (open cast ,open cut , open pit , strip mining )
1. Remove vegetation cover.
2. Break down rocks by using explosives.
3. Remove away broken rocks by using tracks.
4. Minerals extraction.
