30 Questions
What type of minerals crystallize at higher temperatures at the top of Bowen's reaction series?
Ferromagnesian silicates
What type of minerals crystallize at lower temperatures at the bottom of Bowen's reaction series?
Nonferromagnesian silicates
What happens to the iron and magnesium-rich minerals if magma cools slowly?
They sink towards the bottom of the liquid magma.
What type of minerals become progressively richer in silicon in Bowen's reaction series?
Minerals that crystallize later
What are the first minerals to form in a cooling magma according to Bowen's reaction series?
Ferromagnesian silicates
What is the general principle behind Bowen's reaction series?
Different crystals separate from a homogeneous mixture as the magma cools.
What determines the texture of an igneous rock being formed?
How rapidly the cooling takes place
How can you differentiate between a coarse-grained and a fine-grained texture in an igneous rock?
You can see mineral crystals with the unaided eye in coarse-grained, while you need a lens or a microscope in fine-grained.
What does the presence of a fine-grained or coarse-grained texture in an igneous rock tell you?
It tells you something about the cooling history of that rock.
What type of igneous rocks are produced by magma that cools slowly deep below the surface?
Coarse-grained intrusive igneous rocks.
What type of igneous rocks are produced by lava that cools rapidly above the surface?
Fine-grained extrusive igneous rocks.
What type of rock is formed when there is very rapid cooling, resulting in no crystal formation?
Volcanic glass.
Why is it difficult for vegetation to grow on gabbro?
It is difficult for vegetation to grow on gabbro because it is an eyesore and lacks nutrients for plants to thrive.
How can the absence of plants lead to erosion of the land?
The absence of plants can lead to erosion of the land because water may wash away small rock particles when there are no roots to hold the soil together.
What are some of the minerals that may contaminate water when debris washes away?
Some of the minerals that may contaminate water when debris washes away include arsenic, lead, and other pollutants.
How have regulations on the mining industry changed over time?
Regulations on the mining industry now require less environmental damage than before.
Why is the cost of finding and processing minerals increasing?
The cost of finding and processing minerals is increasing because the easiest and less expensive resources have been depleted, leading to the need to extract minerals from more challenging deposits.
What will happen as current mineral resource deposits become depleted?
As current mineral resource deposits become depleted, there will be increasing pressure to extract minerals from protected areas, leading to significant environmental costs.
What mineral occurs naturally as the mineral apatite?
Phosphate
Where were deposits of apatite formed?
Continental shelf
From which type of rocks is phosphate mined from in Florida?
Limestone
What happens when the melting point is reached in the process of rock formation?
Igneous rocks are formed
What is the estimated worldwide existing land area with adequate phosphate minerals to supply food for?
2 billion people
Give an example of a mineral resource that can be recycled multiple times.
Aluminum
Why is phosphate considered an essential element for all life on Earth?
No other element can function in its place
Explain why crude oil is considered a dwindling resource.
It is not recyclable once burned and new supplies are not being created at a sufficient rate.
What will happen when the world reserves of phosphate rock are exhausted?
Food supply will have to be grown on lands with adequate phosphate minerals
Why is phosphorus derived from phosphate rock considered a critical resource?
It is an essential nutrient required for plant growth.
What would happen to plant productivity if agricultural soils were not artificially fertilized with phosphate minerals?
Plant productivity would decline and cease altogether in some cases.
Explain the impact of low phosphorus concentration in soils on plant growth.
Plants grow poorly or not at all.
Explore the environmental consequences of mining gabbro, the coarse-grained chemical equivalent of basalt. Learn about the challenges of vegetation growth, land erosion, water pollution, and regulatory changes in the mining industry.
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