Population Growth and Dwindling Mineral ResourcesDena, Debbie, HeatherJune 30, 2006

Research Problem and Rationale

• Increasing population has lead to concerns of depleting mineral resources.

• US is dependent upon other countries for several of our minerals.

• Rationale: As members of a growing population, this issue affects all of us.

Objective

• By the conclusion of this presentation, you will be aware of the uses and our growing dependence on minerals and what we can do about it.

Research Findings

• The debate over mineral resource depletion is nothing new to scientists.

• Arguments over whether or not we are heading toward depletion of key resources are still in the hot seat.

• We will be taking a look into resource inputs, evaluating depletion, and ways to develop a stronger recycle-based industrial society.

How will I afford my dentures in the year 2150 at this rate?

Growth of Population

2006: ~ 7 billion2025: ~ 7.9 billion

Common minerals we can’t do without

( or can we? )

• Aluminum ~ used as the active ingredient in underarm deodorant

• Malachite ~ used as a color for making cosmetics

• Fluorite ~ used in your favorite toothpaste

• Gold ~ used in dentistry for the latest grill

• Limestone ~ used as an anti-acid• Magnetite ~ used to make steel,

imagine life without this• Lithium ~ used in batteries• Platinum ~ used for automobiles,

jewelry, and crowns & bridges for that beautiful smile

• Silica ~ is used in computer chips and artificial sweetener (figure that one out)

• Trona ~ used to make baking soda & baking powder( you eat this every time you eat sandwiches, cookies or a piece of cake ) yum yum .....

• Zeolites ~ used in kitty litter for odor control

Independence Day is coming !

Did you know.......... The Interior Department’s Bureau of Mines has

revealed that each color in a fireworks display is produced by a specific mineral.

• Bright green ~ barium• Deep red ~ strontium• Blue ~ copper• Yellow ~ sodium

Kaboom !

Even the sounds produced by fireworks are a result of minerals.

• Sulfur ~ is used as an explosive • Aluminum powder ~ produces a loud flash

How much does the average American use in their lifetime?

Lead~ 800 lbsCopper~ 1,500 lbsAluminum ~ 3,600 lbsIron~ 32,000 lbsClay ~ 27,000 lbsSalt ~ 28,000 lbsStone, gravel, sand and cement~

1,000,000 lbs

What if resource depletion occurs?

• Future generations will suffer.• The costs of resources will rise.• Political turmoil may result in a

lack of distribution of resources.• Example~ Costs of platinum, gold

and copper are rising.

What can we do?

• Reduce: • International barriers• Waste products• Inefficient technologies

• Reuse:• Excess material and resources• Internal components of manufactured items, i.e.:

refrigerators

• Recycle: • Unused material• Discarded products

Abstract

Our team chose the topic of population growth and dwindling mineral

resources. The minerals used in the production of fireworks alerted us to the extent that minerals are used all around us, and often in unexpected ways. We conducted further research on the minerals that are used in this and other common products. Each member researched a particular area; one focused on mineral use, another focus was on population growth, and the third area was about possible solutions. We found that gold, platinum, and copper are becoming more rare, leading to dwindling supply and increasing cost. Our research of projected population growth revealed that this is a contributing factor to the possible depletion of our common mineral resources. Another factor is political instability and our dependence on other countries for certain minerals. There are things we can do as a society to help slow the threat of depletion. Recycling these resources is one way to replenish supply.

Citations

• http://www.sos2006.jp/english/rsbs_summary_e/2-3-resources-and-waste.html

• http://www.rocksandminerals.com/uses.htm• http://www.populationconnection.org/Reports_Publications/

Reports/report209.html• http://www.blueskiesproject.org.uk/images/contribute/300/

kidspiration/Population%20Growth.jpg• http://www.political-cartoons.co.uk