Copper Dragana Petic Hannah Bass Anne Sloter AnnMarie Mews Olivia Jackson Chris Goodmanson Per. 5 http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/minerals/pix/copper1.jpg
Video Clip • http://video.yahoo.com/watch/8704731?fr=yvmtf
Historical Context • “Copper was the first metal mined and crafted by man”…..www.rameria.com • It was used long before the Roman age was established, making it one of the earliest metals known to man. • Copper crafting was spread throughout Europe during 2000 B.C. (blamed on the development of trade routes at the time)
Historical Context part 2 • In the early time of copper it was easily found and could be easily hammered into a tool with something like a rock.
Lady liberty…………………………. The statue of liberty is an iconic image of the United States of America. It is made out of copper. Over the years it has tarnished into the greenish color it is now.
Geographical Context
Where is it found?? • Copper is the 31st most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. • 90% of the worlds copper is found in four main areas: The Great Basin of Western United States, Zambia, Central Canada, and the Andes region of Peru and Chile.
Copper Mines • Salt Lake City, Utah: The Bingham Canyon Mine/ Kennecott Copper Mine extracts large copper deposits found just southwest of the city. • Chuquicamata, Chile: Chuquicamata mine is the largest open mine in the world, and extracts 600,000 tons of copper annually.
Famous Copper Mines Bingham Canyon Mine, located Southwest of Salt lake City, Utah Extracting 600,000 tons of copper annually, Chuquicamata is the largest open pit mine in the world.
More Famous Mines…. Large copper mines in Zambia have contributed greatly to its industrialization. “One of Canada's largest undeveloped gold-copper deposits, the Prosperity deposit contains 5.3 billion pounds of copper.” – Environment News Service
Major Players • United States and China are the largest consumers of copper • Construction industries are responsible for about half of that consumption • Construction industries have also increased demand in Germany and Italy
Major Players • USGS scientists are looking for a way to increase the world’s supply of copper • Different ways to access copper and where are being studied in hopes to discover unused sources • Researchers are also looking into how people use copper and how much is lost
Sources of Conflict • Toxicity to wildlife • Even the smallest amounts of copper sulfate can have highly deleterious(injurious to health) effects on many aquatic organisms. • Toxicity to Humans • Moderately toxic if ingested, because causes a lot of vomiting • If enough quantities of copper sulfate remain in the digestive system, can cause poisoning.
Sources of Conflict • Possible Hazards • Burning copper sulfate in air or heating it to extremely high temperatures can release poisons gas. • Cost- $4.39 a pound • Copper thefts • Gaston Skills Inc. has had $45,000 worth of copper stolen in 3 thefts.
Proposed Solutions • PATH(Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing) • Plastic Plumbing • Most pipes carrying water away from sink drains and toilets are made of plastic • Easy for home builders to make
Solutions • Aluminum Plastic Composite Water Piping • Used for hot or cold, indoor and outdoor water use • Made of aluminum tube that is laminated to interior and exterior layer of plastic. • Piping is lightweight, flexible, strong, and corrosion resistant.
Solutions • Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing(CSST) • Alternative to traditional threaded black-iron gas piping for residential, commercial, and industrial applications • CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) • Used for irrigation • Plumbing Manifolds • Method for residential water distribution
Impact on United States
Impact on United States • Copper thieves threaten U.S infrastructure by targeting- • Electrical sub-sections, cellular towers, telephone landlines, railroads, water wells, construction sites, and vacant homes for money making profits • Disrupts the flow of electricity, telecommunications, transportation,
Impact on U.S. continued • Water supply, heating, security, and emergency services • Present a risk to both public safety and national security. • Thefts increased since 2006
