The Lithosphere

The Lithosphere - 100 km thick! (p.184) The hard shell of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the topmost part of the upper mantle. Contains minerals and rocks! To 15min

Minerals VS Rocks ? (p.184-185) Minerals: Solid inorganic substance occurring naturally on Earth. They all have a very specific atomic structures, properties and composition. They each form specific crystals! Bismuth Copper Sulfate (CuSO4) (several elements) (a single element)

Mineral Classification (p.185 to 187) They are classified according to specific properties such as: Colour : idiochromatic VS allochromatic Transparency: Allowing light to pass through it! (transparent VS translucent) Hardness: Mohs scale: 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond) Streak: They can leave a powder trace when rubbed certain surfaces

Some minerals fluoresce under UV light!

500 kg of ore are required to produce a 6-gram gold ring! Mining! (p.187 to 189) The extracted material is called the ORE and contains the substance sought-after! When the concentration of the substance is high enough to be mined, the mineral layer (in the ground) is called a DEPOSIT. 500 kg of ore are required to produce a 6-gram gold ring!

Why are we always talking about rings?

Open-Pit Mines VS underground Mines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVQWFmy2A_k

ZINC! Copper! GOLD! Iron! Nickel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NlyaDAtGwI

And what about rocks? (p189.-190) Definition: Heterogeneous solid composed of many minerals. Their properties are not strictly defined. They are formed by water pressure and volcanic activity.

3 specific types of ROCKS! Igneous rocks Sedimentary rocks Metamorphic rocks

1) Igneous rocks (p.190) Formed when the magma cools and solidifies! Formed either at the surface of the earth or below the ground. VERY HARD! 2 types intrusive extrusive

2) Sedimentary rocks (p.190) Formed by the accumulation and compaction of debris. Many years of EROSION are required! Under pressure, lower layers are compacted

The Grand Canyon….. or The Badlands!

3) Metamorphic rocks (p.191) Former igneous or sedimentary rocks that have been transformed by heat or pressure. Gneiss is initially granite!

Soil Horizons (layers of soils) (p.192) Soil comes from parent rock which makes up the solid part of the earth’s crust. Organic matter (humus) Topsoil (contains minerals and humus which support plant life) Subsoil (small mineral particles, supply nutrients to tree roots) Fragmented parent rock (disintegration of parent rock) Parent rock (starting point for soil formation)

Soil Horizons Soil horizons are differentiated layers. Soil absorbs, filters and stores water. It also contains all kinds of different matter as well as air, small living organism, and microorganisms that decompose organic matter, creating nutrients for plant life.

Soil fertility (REMEMBER!) Soil must: In northern regions, large expanses of soil are permanently frozen (0oC or lower for at least two years). The upper layer or active layer of permafrost will sometimes thaw in the summer and allow certain plants to grow. 1) Contain minerals 2) Have adequate moisture 3) Have an appropriate pH (affects the plant’s ability to absorb mineral nutrients) Permafrost:

Consequences of melting permafrost Global warming is thawing permafrost This causes: softening of the soil, which can damage buildings landslides methane (a greenhouse gas) trapped underneath permafrost can be released, contributing even more to global warming!

How is neutralization relevant with soil? Example: Buffering capacity of soil When soil is too acidic/too alkaline, it hinders plant growth because the roots cannot absorb nutrients properly Plants generally adapt to soil with a pH between 6 and 7. Soil has the ability to neutralize a certain amount of acidic or alkaline substances without affecting its pH This is called the soil’s buffering capacity It allows soil to compensate, to a certain extent, for variations in pH BASIC

Lithosphere energy resources We can harvest energy from the Earth’s lithosphere: Energy Renewable? Pros Cons Fossil fuels (ex: coal, oil) Geothermal Nuclear (ex: uranium) Easily accessible No Green house gas emissions Expensive installation Yes No pollution No Large amount of energy Nuclear waste