Name: stone extraction and block shaping
Uploaded: 2024-09-12T16:16:25.000Z
Duration: 1 min 15 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

ohios-learning-standards-and-model-curriculum

Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum

9-12

Physical Geology

Earth's Resources

Energy resources

Quarrying of Stone

La explotación de canteras implica la extracción meticulosa de piedra de una cantera mediante el uso de explosiones controladas o técnicas de corte de precisión para eliminar el material deseado.
En el corte, por ejemplo, los bloques de alrededor de 50 pies de largo y 12 pies de alto se separan verticalmente de la cantera con una sierra de cinta de diamante.
Luego, se produce la perforación en la base del bloque, seguido del inflado de las bolsas de aire de goma dentro del corte vertical de la sierra, lo que hace que se caiga sobre una capa de astillas de piedra que amortiguan su caída.
Más tarde, se martillan cuñas de acero en agujeros perforados poco profundos para separar la piedra cortada en bloques distintos.
La extracción también se lleva a cabo mediante la intensa llama de un quemador de chorro, que desarrolla un estrés térmico en la roca, por lo que la superficie se agrieta o se desprende.
Al mover metódicamente la llama sobre la misma área, se excava un canal profundo y delgado, que ayuda a separar cada bloque del lecho rocoso principal.
Por último, los bloques de piedra en bruto se trasladan al molino, se cortan en losas, se dividen en secciones más pequeñas y se les da forma, alisan o giran en torno para dar forma cilíndrica.

extracción de piedras

La extracción de piedra es el proceso de extracción de piedra de una cantera, en el que se emplean técnicas especializadas para extraer grandes bloques de piedra de manera segura y eficiente. Este proceso puede implicar explosiones controladas o métodos más orientados a la precisión, como el corte y la perforación.

Un método común implica el uso de una sierra de cinta de diamante para cortar grandes bloques de la cara de la cantera. Estos bloques pueden tener unos 15,24 metros de largo y 3,66 metros de alto. Después del corte vertical inicial, se realiza la perforación en la base del bloque. Posteriormente, se inflan bolsas de aire de goma dentro de los cortes verticales para empujar suavemente el bloque sobre un lecho de astillas de piedra, que amortigua la caída y así evitar el agrietamiento.

Después de la caída, se martillan cuñas de acero en agujeros poco profundos perforados a lo largo de las líneas de separación deseadas. Esto ayuda a romper el bloque grande en piezas más pequeñas y manejables. Otra técnica utiliza un quemador de chorro, que aplica calor intenso para crear tensión térmica en la roca, lo que hace que la superficie se agriete y se descascare. Al mover la llama continuamente sobre la misma zona, se forma un canal que permite separar el bloque de la roca madre.

Una vez extraídos, los bloques de piedra en bruto se transportan a un molino donde se cortan en losas, se dividen en secciones más pequeñas y se les da forma fina y se alisan. Algunos bloques también se pueden girar en un torno para darles forma cilíndrica, preparándolos para diversos usos de construcción y arquitectura.

Extracción de piedras

La explotación de canteras consiste en la extracción meticulosa de piedra de una cantera mediante el uso de explosiones controladas o técnicas de corte de precisión para eliminar la piedra ...

Education

Educación

JoVE Core

Civil Engineering

Ingeniería Civil

Unit 1

Unidad 1

Masonry Materials

Materiales de albañilería

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

TÉRMINOS Y CONCEPTOS CLAVE

stone extraction and block shaping

Stone extraction and block shaping begin in a quarry, where large blocks are removed safely and efficiently. Quarry workers may use controlled explosions, but they also use precise cutting and drilling methods. The goal is to separate stone from the rock face without damaging the material.

One common method uses a diamond belt saw to make a vertical cut in the quarry face. The blocks can be very large, sometimes about 50 feet long and 12 feet high. After the cut, workers drill at the base of the block. Rubber airbags are then inflated inside the cut to gently push the block over onto a bed of stone chips, which cushions the fall and helps prevent cracking.

After the block topples, steel wedges are hammered into shallow holes along the desired lines of separation. This breaks the large block into smaller pieces that are easier to handle. Another technique uses a jet burner, which applies intense heat to the rock. The heat creates thermal stress, so the surface cracks and flakes off. As the flame keeps moving over the same area, a channel forms and the block can be detached from the bedrock.

Once the stone is removed, the rough blocks are taken to a mill for further shaping. There, they may be cut into slabs, split into smaller sections, or smoothed into finished forms. Some blocks are even rotated on a lathe to make cylindrical shapes. These steps prepare the stone for construction and architectural use.

Stone Extraction and Block Shaping

masonry

Masonry Materials and Structural Uses

Masonry uses stone and man-made units such as bricks, clay tiles, terra cotta, and concrete blocks to build structures. These units can form walls, floors, and arches. Masonry is valued for strength, durability, and a wide range of visual finishes. The units are laid in rows called coursing. Mortar, a mix of water, cement, and sand, binds the units together. Building with masonry is hands-on and can be done with basic tools. A trowel applies mortar, a hammer helps adjust placement, and levels...

mortar

Mortar in Masonry: Strength and Finish

Mortar is a key construction material used to bind masonry units together. It is made from Portland cement, hydrated lime, sand, and water. In walls, it fills gaps between units and helps spread weight more evenly across the structure. That reduces weak spots and supports a stronger build. Mortar also protects masonry from outside conditions. It acts as a barrier against water and wind, which helps safeguard the inside of the structure. It can also help correct surface irregularities in...

mortar properties

How Mortar Performance Is Measured

Mortar performance is measured by several key properties that matter in masonry work. These include workability, water retention, bond strength, durability, compressive strength, volume change, and appearance. Together, these properties help determine how well mortar can be placed, bonded, and finished. Workability is the ability of mortar to be applied and moved easily. Good workability means the mortar spreads smoothly and does not sag or fall off the surface. This helps masonry units stay...

bricks

How Bricks Are Made and Fired

Bricks are made from fired clay and come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. They are a basic building material used in construction. The brickmaking process begins with local clay or shale, which is crushed, ground, and screened to make a fine material. Next, the refined clay is mixed with water to form a workable mass. That mixture can be shaped in three main ways: soft mud, dry press, or stiff mud. Soft mud bricks are made in molds with high moisture content. They may be water-struck or...

brick sizes

Brick Sizes and Modular Masonry

Brick sizes are important in construction because they affect both the look of a building and its structural strength. Bricks are measured by three dimensions: width, thickness, and length. Builders often design them to fit modular measurements, usually in multiples of 4 inches or 8 inches in width, so they work well with other building materials. Most bricks are modular bricks. These bricks are sized to include the mortar joint, which is the layer of mortar that bonds masonry units together.

brick classifications

Types of Bricks in Construction

Bricks used in construction are grouped by where they are used and by their structure. The main types include facing bricks, building bricks, hollow bricks, paving bricks, and firebricks. These categories show how one material can serve different jobs in a structure. Facing bricks, also called face bricks, are used where both strength and appearance matter. They form the visible surface of a wall, so their look is important. Building bricks are usually placed in hidden parts of a structure,...

brick durability, strength, and appearance

How Brick Quality Affects Masonry Performance

Brick quality affects how masonry holds up, looks, and performs over time. Durability, strength, and appearance are all used to judge which bricks fit a specific job. These features help builders choose bricks for walls, facades, and other construction uses. Durability is closely tied to freeze-thaw action. In freeze-thaw, water absorbed by a brick expands when it freezes. That expansion can damage the brick, especially if the water melts and refreezes. Bricks are graded for durability as SW,...

brick masonry

Brick Wall Bonds and Wythes

Brick masonry is built from individual bricks set in mortar to form walls. A key unit in this system is the wythe, which is a vertical layer of bricks one brick thick. Inside a wythe, bricks can be arranged in different courses, or rows, to build the wall. The most common course is the stretcher course. In this pattern, each brick lies with its long edge horizontal and its face parallel to the wall. Thicker walls are made by joining multiple wythes together. Builders use headers, which are...

brick cutting techniques

Brick Cuts for Fitting Wall Spaces

Brick cuts help fit bricks into small spaces in a wall. A mason uses a hammer with a chisel-pointed end for basic shaping. The mason strikes the brick with sharp, precise blows. For more exact cuts, a power saw with a water-cooled diamond blade is used. Cut bricks are also named by size. A half-bat is a brick cut to half its original length. A three-fourth bat is cut to three-fourths of its length. These cut pieces help fill gaps and keep the wall pattern aligned. Some cuts are made for...

mortar joints in brick masonry

Mortar Joint Profiles and Brick Finishing

Mortar joints hold brick masonry together and help give the wall strength. They fill the spaces between bricks and support the finished structure. Joint thickness can vary from less than one-fourth inch to more than half an inch, depending on the need and the application. As the mortar starts to harden, workers tool the joints. Tooling means compacting and shaping the mortar. This step improves the look of the brickwork and helps it stand up better to bad weather. Brick masonry can be...

spanning openings in brick walls

Brick Wall Supports for Doors and Windows

Brick wall supports help keep openings for doors and windows stable. These supports hold up the weight of the wall above the opening. The main options are lintels, corbels, and arches. Lintels are the main support used to span an opening. They can be made from reinforced concrete, steel-reinforced brick masonry, or simple steel angles. Lintels are usually easy to install and are often hidden inside the brickwork, so they are not visible in the finished wall. Corbels provide only limited...

reinforced brick masonry

Steel-Reinforced Brick Wall Construction

Steel-reinforced brick wall construction uses steel bars and grout to make masonry walls stronger. The steel can be placed inside the hollow cores of bricks or between two layers of masonry called wythes. Grout, a fluid mix of Portland cement, aggregate, and water, holds the steel and brick together. Deformed steel reinforcement bars are set in the collar joints or in the hollow cores of the bricks. The system includes both vertical and horizontal steel bars. Vertical bars must be at least...

types of building stone

Building Stone Uses and Rock Types

Building stone is a natural construction material cut from rock deposits and shaped into the sizes needed for building work. It is grouped into three main rock types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Each group has different properties that make it useful for specific parts of a structure. Igneous rocks form when magma or lava cools and solidifies. Granite is a common example. It is durable and resists weathering, so it works well in parts of buildings that face severe weather. <br...

quarrying of stone

Stone extraction and block shaping begin in a quarry, where large blocks are removed safely and efficiently. Quarry workers may use controlled explosions, but they also use precise cutting and drilling methods. The goal is to separate stone from the rock face without damaging the material. One common method uses a diamond belt saw to make a vertical cut in the quarry face. The blocks can be very large, sometimes about 50 feet long and 12 feet high. After the cut, workers drill at the base of...

stone masonry

Stone Masonry Types and Jointing

Stone masonry is a building method that uses individual stones to form structures. It is usually divided into two main categories: rubble masonry and ashlar masonry. Rubble masonry uses uneven, naturally shaped stones. These may be river rocks or fragments from quarries. A mason often has to choose each stone carefully and may shape it to fit the space, even when the stones differ in size and form. Ashlar masonry uses stones that are cut into square or rectangular shapes. This type creates...

manufacture of concrete masonry units

Concrete Block Curing and Block Types

Concrete masonry units are made by mixing stiff concrete from Portland cement, aggregates, and water. The mix is placed into metal molds and vibrated so it settles evenly and does not separate. The wet blocks are then removed from the molds and set on racks. After molding, the blocks are moved to curing. Curing can happen in a steam kiln, where the blocks are steam cured, or in an autoclave, where high-pressure steam curing is used. This step helps the blocks gain the hardness and durability...

laying concrete masonry

Building a Concrete Block Wall

Building a concrete block wall starts with careful base preparation, mortar placement, and block alignment. The area where the wall will be built is cleaned first. Then mortar is spread where the first row of concrete blocks will sit. The first blocks are often set at a corner to mark the wall boundaries. Mortar is placed on the face shells of the blocks, which are the outward-facing surfaces. It is also applied at the ends of each block. This helps form the vertical joints between blocks and...

steel manufacturing

From Iron Ore to Shaped Steel

Steel manufacturing turns iron ore into steel through several controlled stages. It starts in a blast furnace, where iron ore is layered with coke and crushed limestone. The coke is a fuel, and the limestone helps remove unwanted material from the molten metal. Air is blasted into the furnace, and the coke ignites. This produces carbon monoxide, which reduces the iron ore to pure iron. As the iron melts, limestone forms slag. Slag traps impurities such as silica, phosphorus, and alumina. The...

structural steel products

How Structural Steel Shapes Are Made

Structural steel shapes are made in a structural mill. The process starts with a beam blank. The steel is reheated and then sent through a series of rollers that gradually form it into its final shape. The spacing between the rollers can be changed to make different sections with the same nominal dimensions. After shaping, the steel leaves the mill as a continuous length. A hot saw then cuts it into manageable pieces. The cut pieces are cooled and passed through another set of rollers. These...

steel fastening techniques

How Steel Sections Are Joined

Steel sections are joined with rivets, bolts, or welding. Each method fits different structural needs and working conditions. These fastening techniques help assemble strong steel structures in practical ways. Riveting uses cylindrical steel fasteners with a specially designed head. The rivets are heated until white-hot and then placed through pre-drilled holes in the steel sections. A pneumatic hammer shapes the exposed end into a second head, which locks the pieces together. Bolting is...

mechanical characteristics of steel

Testing Steel for Strength and Toughness

Steel is tested for strength, toughness, and flexibility using several standard mechanical tests. These tests help show how steel will behave in real use. They also help engineers choose steel for the right job. A tension test measures tensile strength. In this test, a steel specimen is pulled in a gripping device until it breaks. The results are used to draw a stress-strain curve. That curve shows the proportional limit, yield point, ultimate strength, and the point of rupture. A torsion...

key terms and concepts

Learn how quarry workers remove large stone blocks with saws, drills, airbags, wedges, and jet burners, then shape them for construction use.

Stone Extraction and Block Shaping | JoVE K12

JoVE Core Civil Engineering provides a foundational exploration of essential construction materials in civil engineering, focusing on bricks, stones, steel, wood, and concrete through easy-to-understand animated videos. This collection covers the properties, manufacturing processes, and practical applications of these materials. Additionally, the accompanied science-in-action videos demonstrate the research experiments performed in laboratories.

civil engineering

Alabama Course of Study Science

Earth and Space Science

Earth's Systems

9-12.ESS.2.4.a

Environmental Science

Earth and Human Activity

9-12.EVS.4.7

biofuels-producing-ethanol-from-cellulosic-material

Biofuels: Producing Ethanol from Cellulosic Material

Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University
In this experiment, cellulosic material (such as corn stalks, leaves, ...

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University
The United States consumes a large amount of energy &#8211; the current ...

determination-of-nox-in-automobile-exhaust-using-uv-vis-spectroscopy

Determination Of NOx in Automobile Exhaust Using UV-VIS Spectroscopy

Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University
In the troposphere, ozone is naturally formed when sunlight splits nitrogen ...

Energy Basics

Chemical reactions, such as those that occur when you light a match, involve changes in energy as well as matter.

Chemical changes and their accompanying ...

Making a Geologic Cross Section

Source: Laboratory of Alan Lester - University of Colorado Boulder
Geologic maps were first made and utilized in Europe, in the mid-to-late 18th century. ...

extraction-of-biomarkers-from-sediments-accelerated-solvent-extraction

Extraction of Biomarkers from Sediments - Accelerated Solvent Extraction

Source: Laboratory of Jeff Salacup&#160;- University of Massachusetts Amherst
The distribution of a group of organic biomarkers called glycerol-dialkyl ...

Quarrying involves the meticulous extraction of stone from a quarry by either using controlled explosions or precision cutting techniques to remove the ...

Energy

The universe is composed of matter in different forms, and all forms of matter contain energy.&#160; The different forms of energy on Earth originate from ...

Energy resources
• Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and efficiency
• Alternate energy sources and efficiency
• Resource availability
• Mining and resource extraction

Content elaboration: This unit builds upon a variety of topics studied in previous courses. In elementary school, renewable/nonrenewable energy, soils, the atmosphere and water are introduced. In middle school, Earth's spheres, Earth's resources and energy resources are explored. At the high school level, water, air, chemistry and energy topics are studied. In this course, the Earth Resources topic should be looked at through the lens of geology when referring to renewable/non-renewable resources, air, water, soil, and energy. In this course, renewable and nonrenewable energy resources topics investigate the effectiveness and efficiency for differing types of energy resources at a local, state, national and global level. Feasibility, availability and environmental cost are included in the extraction, storage, use and disposal of both abiotic and biotic resources. Modeling (3-D or virtual), simulations and real-world data are used to investigate energy resources and exploration. The emphasis is on current, actual data, contemporary science and technological advances in the field of energy resources. Relating Earth's resources (e.g., energy, air, water, soil) to a global scale and using technology to collect global resource data for comparative classroom study is recommended. In addition, it is important to connect industry and the scientific community to the classroom to increase the depth of understanding. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are important in evaluating resource use and conservation. Smaller scale investigations, such as a field study to monitor stream quality, construction mud issues, storm water management, nonpoint source contamination problems (e.g., road-salt runoff, agricultural runoff, parking lot runoff) or thermal water contamination, can be useful in developing a deeper understanding of Earth's resources. Earth systems are used to illustrate the interconnectedness of each of Earth's spheres (hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and biosphere) and the relationship between each type of Earth's resources.

Measuring Tropospheric Ozone

Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University
Ozone is a form of elemental oxygen (O3), a molecule of three oxygen atoms ...

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins ...

Climate Change

The certainty of climate change remains a public controversy despite the consensus among approximately 97% of active climate researchers, who not only ...

Global Climate Change

Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global ...

Glovebox and Impurity Sensors

Source: Tamara M. Powers, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&#38;M University&#160;
The glovebox provides a straightforward means to handle air- and ...

Air
• Primary and secondary contaminants
• Greenhouse gases

Content elaboration: This unit builds upon a variety of topics studied in previous courses. In elementary school, renewable/nonrenewable energy, soils, the atmosphere and water are introduced. In middle school, Earth's spheres, Earth's resources and energy resources are explored. At the high school level, water, air, chemistry and energy topics are studied. In this course, the Earth Resources topic should be looked at through the lens of geology when referring to renewable/non-renewable resources, air, water, soil, and energy. In this course, renewable and nonrenewable energy resources topics investigate the effectiveness and efficiency for differing types of energy resources at a local, state, national and global level. Feasibility, availability and environmental cost are included in the extraction, storage, use and disposal of both abiotic and biotic resources. Modeling (3-D or virtual), simulations and real-world data are used to investigate energy resources and exploration. The emphasis is on current, actual data, contemporary science and technological advances in the field of energy resources. Relating Earth's resources (e.g., energy, air, water, soil) to a global scale and using technology to collect global resource data for comparative classroom study is recommended. In addition, it is important to connect industry and the scientific community to the classroom to increase the depth of understanding. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are important in evaluating resource use and conservation. Smaller scale investigations, such as a field study to monitor stream quality, construction mud issues, storm water management, nonpoint source contamination problems (e.g., road-salt runoff, agricultural runoff, parking lot runoff) or thermal water contamination, can be useful in developing a deeper understanding of Earth's resources. Earth systems are used to illustrate the interconnectedness of each of Earth's spheres (hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and biosphere) and the relationship between each type of Earth's resources.

turbidity-and-total-solids-in-surface-water

Turbidity and Total Solids in Surface Water

Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University
Turbidity and total solids are related measurements addressing clarity of ...

Dissolved Oxygen in Surface Water

Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University
Dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements calculate the amount of gaseous oxygen ...

Nutrients in Aquatic Ecosystems

Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University
Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential plant nutrients found in aquatic ...

water-quality-analysis-via-indicator-organisms

Water Quality Analysis via Indicator Organisms

Source: Laboratories of Dr. Ian Pepper and Dr. Charles Gerba -The University of Arizona
Demonstrating Author: Luisa Ikner
Water quality analysis monitors ...

isolation-of-fecal-bacteria-from-water-samples-by-filtration

Isolation of Fecal Bacteria from Water Samples by Filtration

Source: Laboratories of Dr. Ian Pepper and Dr. Charles Gerba - The University of Arizona
Demonstrating Author: Luisa Ikner
The quality of water destined ...

Quality of Water

Water added to concrete aids in the hydration of cement, contributing to the strength and durability of concrete.
Generally, potable water, if available, ...

design-example-analyzing-capacity-contours-for-flood-risk-assessment

Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment

Flood risk assessment involves careful planning and analysis to ensure the safety of communities near water retention structures. Capacity contours are a ...

Testing Water Quality

If the quality of water available for preparing concrete is uncertain, its suitability is determined by comparing the setting time of cement and the ...

Using a pH Meter

Source: Laboratory of Dr. Zhongqi He - United States Department of Agriculture
Acids and bases are substances capable of donating protons (H+) and ...

Water
• Potable water and water quality
• Hypoxia, eutrophication

Content elaboration: This unit builds upon a variety of topics studied in previous courses. In elementary school, renewable/nonrenewable energy, soils, the atmosphere and water are introduced. In middle school, Earth's spheres, Earth's resources and energy resources are explored. At the high school level, water, air, chemistry and energy topics are studied. In this course, the Earth Resources topic should be looked at through the lens of geology when referring to renewable/non-renewable resources, air, water, soil, and energy. In this course, renewable and nonrenewable energy resources topics investigate the effectiveness and efficiency for differing types of energy resources at a local, state, national and global level. Feasibility, availability and environmental cost are included in the extraction, storage, use and disposal of both abiotic and biotic resources. Modeling (3-D or virtual), simulations and real-world data are used to investigate energy resources and exploration. The emphasis is on current, actual data, contemporary science and technological advances in the field of energy resources. Relating Earth's resources (e.g., energy, air, water, soil) to a global scale and using technology to collect global resource data for comparative classroom study is recommended. In addition, it is important to connect industry and the scientific community to the classroom to increase the depth of understanding. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are important in evaluating resource use and conservation. Smaller scale investigations, such as a field study to monitor stream quality, construction mud issues, storm water management, nonpoint source contamination problems (e.g., road-salt runoff, agricultural runoff, parking lot runoff) or thermal water contamination, can be useful in developing a deeper understanding of Earth's resources. Earth systems are used to illustrate the interconnectedness of each of Earth's spheres (hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and biosphere) and the relationship between each type of Earth's resources.

Water

lead-analysis-of-soil-using-atomic-absorption-spectroscopy

Lead Analysis of Soil Using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University
Lead occurs naturally in soil, in levels ranging from 10-50 ppm. However, ...

carbon-and-nitrogen-analysis-of-environmental-samples

Carbon and Nitrogen Analysis of Environmental Samples

Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University
Elemental Analysis is a method used to determine elemental composition of a ...

soil-nutrient-analysis-nitrogen-phosphorus-and-potassium

Soil Nutrient Analysis: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium

Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University
In this experiment, three soil macronutrients are chemically extracted, ...

analysis-of-earthworm-populations-in-soil

Analysis of Earthworm Populations in Soil

Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University
Using mustard, Lumbricus terrestris earthworm populations can be sampled ...

determination-of-moisture-content-in-soil

Determination of Moisture Content in Soil

Source: Laboratories of Dr. Ian Pepper and Dr. Charles Gerba - The University of Arizona
Demonstrating Author: Bradley Schmitz
Soils normally contain a ...

The Soil Ecosystem

Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not ...

What are Biogeochemical Cycles?

The most common elements in organic molecules, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, are only available in the ecosystem in limited ...

The Carbon Cycle

Carbon is the basis of all organic matter on Earth, and is recycled through the ecosystem in two primary processes: one in which carbon is exchanged among ...

The Water Cycle

The Earth&rsquo;s hydrosphere includes all of the areas where the storage and movement of water occurs. Since water is the basis of all living processes, ...

environmental-applications-of-microorganisms

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as ...

What is an Ecosystem?

Overview

An ecosystem is the interaction between all abiotic and biotic factors in an environment and can be classified as terrestrial or aquatic. ...

Sustainable Development

As the human population continues to grow and use resources, we must be mindful of our planet&rsquo;s natural limits. Sustainable development provides a ...

The Efficient Amount of Recycling I

In an imaginary town, Greendale, residents carelessly dispose of recyclable plastics due to minimal additional trash pickup fees, leading to recyclable ...

Threats to Biodiversity

There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species ...

Ecological Disturbance

An ecological disturbance is a temporary disruption in the environment resulting from abiotic, biotic, or anthropogenic factors, causing a pronounced ...

modifying-bank-erosion-hazard-index-behi-protocol-for-rapid

Modifying the Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI) Protocol for Rapid Assessment of Streambank Erosion in Northeastern Ohio

Understanding the source of pollution in a stream is vital to preserving, restoring, and maintaining the stream&#8217;s function and habitat it provides. ...

Soil and sediment
• Desertification
• Mass wasting and erosion
• Sediment and contamination

Content elaboration: This unit builds upon a variety of topics studied in previous courses. In elementary school, renewable/nonrenewable energy, soils, the atmosphere and water are introduced. In middle school, Earth's spheres, Earth's resources and energy resources are explored. At the high school level, water, air, chemistry and energy topics are studied. In this course, the Earth Resources topic should be looked at through the lens of geology when referring to renewable/non-renewable resources, air, water, soil, and energy. In this course, renewable and nonrenewable energy resources topics investigate the effectiveness and efficiency for differing types of energy resources at a local, state, national and global level. Feasibility, availability and environmental cost are included in the extraction, storage, use and disposal of both abiotic and biotic resources. Modeling (3-D or virtual), simulations and real-world data are used to investigate energy resources and exploration. The emphasis is on current, actual data, contemporary science and technological advances in the field of energy resources. Relating Earth's resources (e.g., a, air, water, soil) to a global scale and using technology to collect global resource data for comparative classroom study is recommended. In addition, it is important to connect industry and the scientific community to the classroom to increase the depth of understanding. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are important in evaluating resource use and conservation. Smaller scale investigations, such as a field study to monitor stream quality, construction mud issues, storm water management, nonpoint source contamination problems (e.g., road-salt runoff, agricultural runoff, parking lot runoff) or thermal water contamination, can be useful in developing a deeper understanding of Earth's resources. Earth systems are used to illustrate the interconnectedness of each of Earth's spheres (hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and biosphere) and the relationship between each type of Earth's resources.

Soil and sediment

Stone Extraction and Block Shaping

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