Environmental effects of Metal Industries?

Question

What are some environmental effects of metal intustries?

Answer 1

When metals are taken out of the earth, they are usually found in ores. In the process of purifying the metal, it is smelted. For example, iron. When iron is smelted sulfur dioixide is a by-product. It is released into the atmosphere and causes acid rain. The acid rain plays around with the pH balances in the environment. For example, it can decrease the pH of soils making them unable to support plant life. It can also lower the pH of aquatic environments. This can kill organisms such as fish - thier larvae is killed by slight pH changes - therefore acid rain disturbs the ecological niche.

When the metals are mined from the ground, mining occurs. This can be open cut or undergound. It is usually open cut - this means that ecosystems are destroyed - animals forced to move away from thier homes and plants are killed. After the mining has finished, it takes years for the environment to regenerate.

In the purification process of some metals such as aluminium, electricity is used - and lots of it. This increases the usage of electiricy and fossil fuels, which we all know is damaging to the environment.

There are more reasons go to the following website for more details:

http://www.udel.edu/PR/UpDate/02/2/traci...