Sustaining the Geosphere

What are watersheds located on the geosphere What are some of the threats to watersheds How may watersheds be sustained ... 

An essential part of Earth s natural capital consists of minerals containing metals and other essential raw materials that the geosphere provides for use by humans. Important considerations in utilizing mineral resources include a finite supply of essential minerals, the need to utilize less rich sources of minerals as better sources are depleted, and environmental damage associated with mineral exploitation. There are numerous kinds of mineral deposits that are used in various ways. The most available deposits have already been exploited. As the more available mineral resources are exploited, a migor challenge is to find sustainable ways to utilize available resources in a cost-effective manner that is consistent with maximum conservation of the resource, environmental protection, and material recycling. 

One of the most crucial aspects of green technology is the sustainable utilization of minerals. In a sense, the concept of sustainable mineral utilization is an oxymoron because minerals removed from the geosphere are not replaced. However, the idea of sustainability can greatly extend supplies of minerals. This section addresses the approach to sustainability in obtaining minerals. The broader questions of green utilization of materials, substitution of materials, and recycling are discussed in more detail in Chapters 14 and 16. 

Fundamentals of Environmental and Toxicological Chemistry Sustainable Science, Fourth Edition covers university-level environmental chemistry, with toxicological chemistry integrated throughout the book. This new edition of a bestseller provides an updated text with an increased emphasis on sustainability and green chemistry. It is organized based on the five spheres of Earth s environment (1) the hydrosphere (water), (2) the atmosphere (air), (3) the geosphere (solid Earth), (4) the biosphere (life), and (5) the anthrosphere (the part of the environment made and used by humans). 

The first chapter defines environmental chemistry and each of the five environmental spheres. The second chapter presents the basics of toxicological chemistry and its relationship to environmental chemistry. Subsequent chapters are grouped by sphere, beginning with the hydrosphere and its environmental chemistry, water pollution, sustainability, and water as nature s most renewable resource. Chapters then describe the atmosphere, its structure and importance for protecting life on Earth, air pollutants, and the sustainability of atmospheric quality. The author explains the nature of the geosphere and discusses soil for growing food as well as geosphere sustainability. He also describes the biosphere and its sustainability. 

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