4.3.1
Metals: Ecological Footprint
Ecological Footprint of Metals
Ecological Footprint of Metals
The ecological footprint of metals refers to the environmental impact of metal materials.
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Resource extraction
Resource extraction
- The extraction of metals from the Earth's crust involves mining operations.
- Mining operations can lead to habitat destruction, soil erosion, and water pollution.
- The depletion of non-renewable resources is a serious ecological concern.
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Energy consumption
Energy consumption
- The production of metals requires large amounts of energy.
- This energy contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
- Energy consumption can come from non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels.
- This makes the production of metal worse for the environment.
![Illustrative background for Pollution](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/25e72f1e-6106-41a7-b553-cb92b2393535/shutterstock_226073734,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
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Pollution
Pollution
- Metal production processes can generate various types of pollution.
- For example, water contamination, air emissions, and soil pollution.
- Pollutants can have negative effects on ecosystems, human health, and biodiversity.
![Illustrative background for Waste generation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/2a237b6c-5f2b-4f34-b392-5f5732d29292/rubbish-143465_1920,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
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Waste generation
Waste generation
- Metal production generates significant amounts of waste materials.
- For example, tailings from mining operations or by-products from metal refining.
- Waste that is not properly disposed of can lead to environmental degradation and contamination.
![Illustrative background for Mitigating ecological footprints](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2022-08/353ff18e-ab1f-4aeb-962f-1103cb59949a/sustainable3,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
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Mitigating ecological footprints
Mitigating ecological footprints
- Efforts are being made by industry, governments, and civil society organisations to mitigate the ecological footprint of metals.
- For example, sustainable mining practices and cleaner production technologies.
1Core Technical Principles
1.1New & Emerging Technologies
1.2Energy Generation & Storage
1.3Developments in New Materials
1.4Systems Approach to Designing
1.5Mechanical Devices
1.6Materials Categories
2Paper & Board: Specialist Technical Principles
2.1Selection of Materials
2.2Paper & Board: Forces & Stresses
2.3Paper & Board: Ecological & Social Footprint
2.4Paper & Board: Sources & Origins
2.5Paper & Board: Using Materials
2.6Paper & Board: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes
2.7Paper & Board: Scales of Production
2.8Paper & Board: Specialist Techniques & Processes
2.9Paper & Board: Surface Treatments & Finishes
3Timber: Specialist Technical Principles
3.1Timber: Selection of Materials
3.2Timber: Forces & Stresses
3.3Timber: Ecological & Social Footprint
3.4Timber: Sources & Origins
3.5Timber: Using Materials
3.6Timber: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes
3.7Timber: Scales of Production
3.8Timber: Specialist Techniques & Processes
3.9Timber: Surface Treatments & Finishes
4Metal: Specialist Technical Principles
4.1Metals: Selection of Materials
4.2Metals: Forces & Stresses
4.3Metals: Ecological & Social Footprint
4.4Metals: Sources & Origins
4.5Metals: Alloy-Based Materials
4.6Metals: Using Materials
4.7Metals: Scales of Production
4.8Metals: Specialist Techniques & Processes
4.9Metals: Quality Control
4.10Metals: Surface Treatments & Finishes
5Polymers: Specialist Technical Principles
5.1Polymers
5.2Polymer Categories
5.3Polymer Forms
5.4Polymer Production, Techniques & Quality Control
6Textiles: Specialist Technical Principles
6.1Textile Materials
6.2Selection of Materials
6.3Forces & Stresses
7Designing & Making Principles
7.1Investigation & Data
7.2Environmental, Social & Economic Challenges
7.3The Work of Others
7.4Design Strategies
7.5Communication of Design Ideas
7.6Prototype Development
7.7Selection of Materials
7.8Tolerances
7.9Material Management
7.10Specialist Equipment
7.11Specialist Techniques & Processes
Jump to other topics
1Core Technical Principles
1.1New & Emerging Technologies
1.2Energy Generation & Storage
1.3Developments in New Materials
1.4Systems Approach to Designing
1.5Mechanical Devices
1.6Materials Categories
2Paper & Board: Specialist Technical Principles
2.1Selection of Materials
2.2Paper & Board: Forces & Stresses
2.3Paper & Board: Ecological & Social Footprint
2.4Paper & Board: Sources & Origins
2.5Paper & Board: Using Materials
2.6Paper & Board: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes
2.7Paper & Board: Scales of Production
2.8Paper & Board: Specialist Techniques & Processes
2.9Paper & Board: Surface Treatments & Finishes
3Timber: Specialist Technical Principles
3.1Timber: Selection of Materials
3.2Timber: Forces & Stresses
3.3Timber: Ecological & Social Footprint
3.4Timber: Sources & Origins
3.5Timber: Using Materials
3.6Timber: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes
3.7Timber: Scales of Production
3.8Timber: Specialist Techniques & Processes
3.9Timber: Surface Treatments & Finishes
4Metal: Specialist Technical Principles
4.1Metals: Selection of Materials
4.2Metals: Forces & Stresses
4.3Metals: Ecological & Social Footprint
4.4Metals: Sources & Origins
4.5Metals: Alloy-Based Materials
4.6Metals: Using Materials
4.7Metals: Scales of Production
4.8Metals: Specialist Techniques & Processes
4.9Metals: Quality Control
4.10Metals: Surface Treatments & Finishes
5Polymers: Specialist Technical Principles
5.1Polymers
5.2Polymer Categories
5.3Polymer Forms
5.4Polymer Production, Techniques & Quality Control
6Textiles: Specialist Technical Principles
6.1Textile Materials
6.2Selection of Materials
6.3Forces & Stresses
7Designing & Making Principles
7.1Investigation & Data
7.2Environmental, Social & Economic Challenges
7.3The Work of Others
7.4Design Strategies
7.5Communication of Design Ideas
7.6Prototype Development
7.7Selection of Materials
7.8Tolerances
7.9Material Management
7.10Specialist Equipment
7.11Specialist Techniques & Processes
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