Minerals and Energy Resources
Minerals and their Mode of Occurrence
•Minerals in homogenous naturally occurring inorganic substances with a definable internal structure.
•Found in rocks beneath the earth's surface in the form of
Compounds.
•Possess a solid crystal structure.Having a definite chemical composition comprising one or more elements.
•Can be identified by their physical and chemical properties.
•Different appearances and occurrence in various form, in a wide range of colours, hardness forms lustre and density.As all minerals are formed formed from a certain combination of elements which depends upon the chemical and physical conditions under which the mineral forms.The geologists use these properties to categorise minerals.
Important Of Minerals:
•Everything we use, eat and drink has minerals.
•Economic development of people or nation can be vastly accelerated by the presence of valuable minerals in the countries.
•Make our life Comfortable and Convenient.
•They are also responsible for all the biological processes on the earth.
Rocks containing Minerals:
•Rocks are Combinations of homogeneous substances called minerals .It is the minerals that impact their texture, colour , shape , hardness or softness to rocks.
•Majority of rocks on the earth's crust are a combination or an aggregate of different minerals in varying qualities.
•Althrough over 2000 minerals have been identified so far;Only a few are abundantly found in most of the rocks.
Mode of occurrence of minerals
•In igneous and metamorphic rocks-The smaller occurrences are called veins and the larger occurrences are called lodes.Example:tin, copper, zinc, lead, etc.
•In sedimentary rocks-In these rocks,minerals occur in beds or layers.Coal,iron ore,gypsum,potash salt and sodium salt are the minerals found in sedimentary rocks.
•By decomposition of surface rocks-Decomposition of surface rocks and removal of soluble constituents leaves a residual mass of weathered material which contains ores.Example:bauxite.
•As alluvial deposits -These minerals are found in sands of Valley floors and the base of hills.These deposits are called placer deposits.Examples;gold,silver,tin, platinum,etc.
•In ocean water-Common salt,magnesium and bromine mainly derived from ocean waters.
Types of Minerals
•Types of Minerals:Metallic and non-matallic.
•Matallic Minerals:Futher sub-divided into ferrous and non-ferrous.
•Ferrous(containing iron) are iron ore,manganese ore,chromite,pyrite,nickel and cobalt.
•Non-ferrous (containing metals other than iron)-gold,silver,copper,lead,bauxite,tin and magnesium.
•Non-metallic Minerals:They are limestone, nitrate,potash,mica,gypsum,coal,petroleum,etc.
•Iron ore:Basic mineral,the backbone of industrial development.There are four varieties of iron ore:
•Magnetite:Contain 70% iron,finest quality,with magnetic Properties.
•Hematite:Contain 40 % to 60% iron.
•Siderite:Contains 40% to 50% iron.
Distribution of Minerals in india:
India is sufficiently rich in mineral resources.The distribution of minerals in india is uneven.
•Broadly speaking peninsular rocks contain most of the reserves of coal,metallic minerals,mica and many other non-metallic minerals.
•Sedimentary rocks on the western and Eastern flanks of the peninsula,in Gujarat and Assam have most of the petroleum deposits.
•Rajasthan with rock systems of the peninsula has reserves of many non-ferrous minerals.
•The vast alluvial plains of North india are almost devoid of economic minerals.
•India is poor in non-ferrous minerals like zinc,lead,copper and gold .It is also poor in oil and natural gas. India has to import these minerals to meet its requirement.
Conservation of minerals:
Mini steel plants are using scrap iron all over the world, which is the best example of recycling.It helps reduce wastes,but efficient recycling technologies have yet to be developed.Recycling is very expensive.Problems also arise on account of mixing together of various types of minerals,otherwise products made from iron, copper,lead ,zinc and almost all types of minerals can be recycled for more.
Conventional sources of energy
•Energy:The source of water
•The cheif sources of power are energy from fossil fuels,such as coal,petrol,gas,nuclear materials,falling water,sun,wind,etc.wind,sun rays and falling water are converted into electricity while others like coal,petroleum and natural gas -are applied directly in motor vehicles and machines.fossil fuels require combustion,they produce many gases and wastes causing damage to the environment.2/5th of the global energy consumption comes from burning oil and the rest from burning coal and natural gas.
•Electricity
Electricity is obtained in three ways which are termed as hydro-electricity,thermal electricity and nuclear electricity.
•Coal:In India coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel.
IN India coal occurs in rock series of two main geological ages,namely:
(i)Gondwana coal or metallurgical coal located in damodar valley.
(ii)Tertiary coal deposits occurring in the North-Eastern states of maghalaya,Assam,Arunachal Pradesh ans Nagaland.
According to degree of compression and the depth and times of burial , there are four types of coal .
(i)Anthracite:Highest quality hard coal.
(ii)Bituminous:Most popular coal in commercial use.
(iii)Lignite:A low grade 'brown'coal,which is soft with high moisture content.
(iv)Peat:Decaying plants in swamps produces peat.It has low carbon,low heating capacity with huge moisture content.
•Petroleum:
Liquid fossil fuel,well are dug or drilled on land or offshore to bring oil to the surface.This crude oil is transported to refineries where it is changed into gasoline and petrochemicals.Petroleum refineries serve as 'nodal industries'for chemical, fertilizer and synthetic textile industries as various products are obtained during refining petroleum. It provides fuel for heating, lighting,running machineries and vehicles, lubricant and raw materials for some manufacturing plastics, chemical,etc.
•Natural Gas:
A clean energy resource associated with petroleum can be extracted easily by drilling wells.Does not require processing ,does not emit Con and burns hotter and clearer ,is cheaper and can be used to generate electricity,but it is limited.Used as a source of energy as well as an industrial raw material in the petrochemical industry.
Non-Conventional sources of energy:
Following are the six main non-conventional sources of energy,namely
:Solar energy,wind energy,biomass energy, geothermal energy,tidal energy and hydro power.
Conservation of energy Resources:
•Energy is basic requirement for economic development
•Most of the energy resources are limited.
•Due to industrialization, modernization and urbanization the consumption of energy in all forms has been steadily rising all over the country.
How can we conserve energy resources?
•Need to develop a sustainable path of energy development,I.e.,energy development but not at the cost of environment or needs of future generation.
•Judicious use of limited energy resources.
•Wastage of minerals should be minimized
•Modern technology should be used for the exploitation of energy resources.
•Export of energy resources should be minimized.
•Use of substitutes in order to save energy resources
•Encourage recycling of energy resources.
Exercise Questions and Answers
Question 1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Which one of the following minerals is formed by decomposition of rocks, leaving a residual mass of weathered material?
- (a) Coal
- (b) Bauxite
- (c) Gold
- (d) Zinc
Answer: (b) Bauxite
Koderma, in Jharkhand, is the leading producer of which one of the following minerals?
- (a) Bauxite
- (b) Mica
- (c) Iron ore
- (d) Copper
Answer: (b) Mica
Minerals are deposited and accumulated in the stratas of which of the following rocks?
- (a) Sedimentary rocks
- (b) Metamorphic rocks
- (c) Igneous rocks
- (d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Sedimentary rocks
Which one of the following is a non-conventional source of energy?
- (a) Solar energy
- (b) Coal
- (c) Uranium
- (d) Petroleum
Answer: (a) Solar energy
Question 2: Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
Distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals.
Answer:
- Ferrous minerals contain iron. Examples include iron ore, manganese, and chromite. They are typically used in heavy industries such as steel production.
- Non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron. Examples include copper, bauxite, and lead. They are used in industries like electrical and electronics manufacturing.
What is a mineral?
Answer: A mineral is a naturally occurring substance with a definite chemical composition. Minerals are found in the Earth’s crust and have distinct physical properties and crystalline structures. Examples include iron ore, copper, and mica.
How are minerals formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks?
Answer: Minerals in igneous and metamorphic rocks are often formed by the cooling and solidification of molten magma or lava. These minerals may also crystallise under high temperatures and pressures within the Earth’s crust.
Why do we need to conserve mineral resources?
Answer: Mineral resources are finite and non-renewable. Over-extraction can lead to depletion and environmental degradation. Conservation ensures the sustainable use of minerals for future generations and reduces environmental impact.
Question 3: Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
Describe the distribution of coal in India.
Answer: In India, coal is found primarily in the states of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. The Damodar Valley in Jharkhand and West Bengal is the most significant coal-producing region. The Godavari, Mahanadi, and Son valleys are also rich in coal deposits. Coal in India is mostly of the bituminous type, which is suitable for use in the thermal power sector. However, India also imports coal to meet its demand for high-quality coking coal, which is essential for steel production.
Why do you think solar energy has a bright future in India?
Answer: Solar energy has immense potential in India due to the country's tropical location, which allows for abundant sunlight throughout the year. With growing concerns over pollution and climate change, solar energy provides a clean and renewable alternative to fossil fuels. The Indian government has also implemented various initiatives to promote solar energy, such as the National Solar Mission, aiming to increase the solar capacity substantially. Furthermore, advancements in solar technology are making it more affordable and accessible, especially in rural areas with limited access to electricity.
Question 4: Distinguish between the following.
Conventional and Non-conventional sources of energy
Answer:
- Conventional sources of energy include fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas, which are non-renewable and have been used for centuries. They cause environmental pollution and are limited in supply.
- Non-conventional sources of energy include renewable sources like solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal energy. These are cleaner, sustainable, and have a minimal environmental impact, offering a long-term energy solution.
Biogas and Natural Gas
Answer:
- Biogas is produced through the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste, such as animal and plant waste. It is a renewable energy source used mainly for cooking and lighting in rural areas.
- Natural gas is a fossil fuel found in nature, often alongside petroleum reserves. It is used for power generation, heating, and as an industrial fuel. Unlike biogas, natural gas is non-renewable.
Ferrous and Non-ferrous minerals
Answer:
- Ferrous minerals contain iron and are magnetic. Examples include iron ore and manganese, primarily used in steel-making and heavy industries.
- Non-ferrous minerals lack iron and are non-magnetic. Examples include copper, bauxite, and gold, widely used in electrical, electronics, and construction industries.
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