Lesson 3: Earth Materials and Resources

Objectives:

In this lesson, you will learn to:

1. Identify the different types of earth materials

2. Know the different resources found on Earth

Earth Materials and Processes

In the earlier module, we learned about the physical structure of the Earth, and the four
subsystems that make up the Earth. Now in this module, we will examine the different materials
and resources that make up our planet. This includes the different categories of rocks and
minerals, and how they are useful in our daily lives.

Earth materials is the general term, and it includes rocks, minerals, soil, and water.
Humans utilize them as basic components for life, agriculture and industry. Earth materials are
naturally occurring materials which the humans use in our daily lives.

Rocks

Rocks are formed from distinct grains that come together. These distinct grains are
called mineral grains, and most rocks are commonly aggregates of these grains. Igneous rocks
form by crystallization and are usually composed of several kinds of minerals. Sedimentary
rocks, on the other hand, are composed usually of one kind of mineral. This reflects processes in
the rock cycle that favor the minerals inclusion. Thus, the assembly of minerals in rock is not at
all random, but the result of the original rock-forming processes.

Rocks are categorized into three: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock. Each
category is different in how they
are formed, as well as in their
properties and their composition.

Rocks undergo a cycle that

takes millions of years. As
time passes by, they
gradually change form due
to various circumstances
such as crystallization,
weathering, or lithification.
 Minerals

Minerals are defined as "a

naturally occurring chemical
element or compound,
possessing a definite crystalline
structure based on an ordered
internal arrangement of
constituent atoms, and with a
chemical formula."

More than 2000 types

of minerals are currently
known, and new ones are
being discovered on a daily basis. These minerals are classified according to chemical
composition and atomic structure. However, the majority of rocks are formed from one or more
of a small group of minerals, just comprising over a dozen.

Silicate minerals has a structure based on the silicate unit, which can be presented as
part of a tetrahedral building block. Six major groups of silicate units are joined together.
Minerals make up rocks, and silicates crystallize in order to form rocks. When tabulating the
composition of minerals and rocks, it is common to denote the elements as oxides, although
these elements should not be taken to mean as oxides in the chemical sense.

Each rock is made up of one or more silicate minerals. Each rock s in addition to this, is
made up of a distinctive mineral composition. For instance, peridotites contain olivine and
pyroxene. In contrast to this, olivine is never found in granites. The main factor that determines
whether a mineral is present after the cooling process is the crystallization temperature. Each
mineral is characterized by a different crystallization temperature.

Soil

Soil is the combination of minerals, organic matter, gases, liquid, and countless
organisms that work together to support life on Earth. It can be defined as the "skin of the
Earth" which interfaces with the four subsystems. The study of soil is called pedology, which
came from the Greek word pedon, which means soil or earth.

The soil has four important functions:

1. It is a means of water storage, supply, and purification

2. It modifies the Earth's atmosphere
3. It serves as a habitat for organisms
4. All of the processes above modify the soil in turn

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 --
NN Soil Horizons (Layers)

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nitnrori
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the soil.

N Jr ivvia4 11011.1 The topmost horizon

FprsperikE

is called the 0 horizon, which

- can form above the mineral
soil that is commonly seen in forested areas, resulting from dead plant and animal
remains. Each horizon can also be divided into sub horizons, to further classify the
components of the soil.

Water

Water is the last of earths materials, and it is truly an essential part of our lives. About
71% of the surface of the planet is water-covered, and water also exists in the air as water
vapor.

Distribution of Earth's Water

Fresh-
water 3% Other 0.9% Rivers 2%
Surface
water
Ground Swamps 11411P
0_3%
water
30.1%

Salina
"11
Ice1
. 0s111 Lakes
(oceans) and 87%
97% Glaciers
68.7%

Earths water Freshwater Fresh

surface water
(liquir”

Unfortunately, while there seem to be an abundance in water, humans can only use a
small percentage of it. The distribution of water is extremely uneven, as shown in the graph.

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Oceans hold the largest amount of water at 97% - meaning almost all of the water on Earth is
salt water. Moreover, 2.15% consists of glaciers and other ice. Simply put, we barely have 1% of
drinkable water that we can really use.

This is the main reason why it is important to promote water conservation. We must
keep in mind that we only have few water resources, and so we must do our best to keep these
remaining sources clean.

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References:

1. Bryson, Bill, (2004).A ,Short History of Nearly Everything. New York: Broadway Books,

2. Tarbuck, E.J. Lutgens, F.K. (2002) Earth: An introduction to Physical Geology. New Jersey:

Prentice Hall.

3. The Habitable Planet. Retrieved from:

https://www.learner.orgicoursesierivscilunitbdfsiunit8.pdf

4. An introduction to Soils and Soil Terminology. Retrieved from:

httia://www.n7acaulay.ac.ukisoilquality/An%20introduction%20to%20soils,%20soil%20fornnatio

n%20and%20termiriology.pdf

5. NGWA. information on Earth's Water. Retrieved from:

http://www.ngwa.orgiFuridameritalsiteachers/Pageslinformation-on-earth-\.vater.aspx

6. The Hydrologic Cycle. Retrieved from:

https://notendur.hi.isithorsturiteachingivatnaPHYDROCYCLE.PDF