Impact of Resource on the Environment
| Resource | What impact does the mining and use of this resource have on the environment? |
| Barite | Runoff from mined areas can pollute streams. While not toxic itself, barite is often found with lead, sulfur, or other toxic materials. |
| Chert | Chert is not toxic. The only impact would be the impact of quarrying |
| Clay | The only impact would be the impact of quarrying |
| Chalcopyrite (copper) | The mining of chalcopyrite was devastating for Polk County and the surrounding areas. Releases of sulfur in the air killed much of the vegetation in the area. Cleanup started in the 1920's and continues today. |
| Coal |
Consequences of mining coal.: Deep mines pose a danger of polluting water. Water draining through mines becomes highly acidic, poisoning the rivers into which it flows. In Pennsylvania, a mine caught fire and has burned for many years. Strip mining, especially mountain top strip mining leads to massive runoff of sediment which clogs up streams below the mine. Consequences of burning coal: Burning coal releases particles and sulfuric acid and mercury into the air, and is a major cause of air pollution. Mercury pollution from coal burning has contaminated wild fish leading to limitations in fishing. Debates on limiting or cleaning up burning of coal for electricity is right now a hot topic in political debate. |
| Fluorite | |
| Galena (lead) |
In the past generation we have learned that lead is very toxic to people. As a result, lead has been removed from paint and gasoline. |
| Gypsum | Gypsum has never been mined in Tennessee |
| Ilmenite (titanium) | Ilmenite has never been mined in Tennessee. |
| Iron Oxides | It was not so much the mining of iron, but the smelting that has harmed the environment. Early 19th century iron manufacturers on the Western Highland Rim used wood to make charcoal for the smelting process. They largely deforested the area before railroads were built bringing coal from east Tennessee to use in the process. |
| Pyrite (Iron/Sulfur) | While pyrite is not itself mined, it is often found with other minerals which are. When dug up and left to weather, it releases sulfur which increases the acidity of streams. |
| Limestone and Marble | The main impact is that of quarrying. |
| Mussel Shells | Using mussel shells does not really harm the environment aside from depleting the supply of mussels, some species of which have been driven to extinction. |
| Oil/Natural Gas | Oil and gas drilling can release toxic chemicals and can result in oil spills. |
| Phosphate |
The leaching of phosphates into waterways, whether from mine tailings, or from phosphates in fertilizer or detergents has proved to be a major pollutant. Phosphate, since it is a fertilizer, encourages the growth of algae which poisons the water. As a result, phosphate has been removed from detergents. Phosphate recycling has now become a topic of discussion both as an environmental action and as a source of phosphate |
| Saltpeter | In the 19th century, people did not appreciate what fragile environments caves were.We now understand that the dissolving, percolating, and recrystallizing of soluble minerals is the essential process of cave formation. |
| Sand & Gravel | Sand and gravel are often quarried out of stream beds. This can have a severe impact on the streams themselves |
| Sandstone | The main impact is that of quarrying. |
| Sphalerite (zinc) |
The most common ore of zinc in Tennessee is sphalerite (ZnS - zinc sulfide). This is generally found along with galena (PbS - lead sulfide). Although zinc itself is not considered toxic, both lead and sulfur are serious pollutants. Lead is a "heavy metal" and is extremely poisonous. Sulfur is a major source of acid in the water supply. Abandoned mines can fill with water, polluting streams and groundwater downstream from the mines. |