Extraction Stage
Extraction of copper produces both specks of dust and gaseous wastes such as sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide that significantly contribute to environmental pollutions, especially air pollution (“Copper Mining”). Whereas copper wire miners reduce this pollution level by trapping the generated sulfur dioxide gas for purposes of producing sulfuric acid, considerable amounts of sulfur dioxide still escape and take part in both air and water pollution. However, extraction methods that incorporate emulsion of liquid membranes and applications of microorganisms in removing copper from their underground ores have been currently established as the economical and viable ways of gathering copper. Mining copper from exclusively one ore demands more energy as compared to copper recycling, which consumes only 10% of the energy requirements necessary for extraction (“Chemistry 11-14”). In general, the means by which copper wires have been traditionally extracted have led to the production of many toxic wastes and consequently adverse environmental changes to the immediate surroundings. These environmental impacts of the extraction process of copper are substantial and having both chronic and acute effects of vegetation, water, geography and biological aspect of life in the copper extraction area. Acid mine drainage (AMD) results when sulfides of metal in the underground ores get exposed to the natural components. AMD, in particular, has had high magnitude negative impacts on our environments, frequently resulting from the inability to support life in the negatively affected areas (“Copper Processing Plant”). Besides AMD, land degradation and deforestation are other major environmental impacts of copper extraction.
Sources for Q 1
Copper Mining. From ore to copper. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://resources.schoolscience.co.uk/CDA/14-16/cumining/copch2pg2.html
Chemistry 11-14. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://copperalliance.org.uk/education-and-careers/education-resources/copper-mining-and-extraction-sulfide-ores
Copper Processing Plant. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://en.ytxinhai.com/solutions_18_7_1.html?utm_source=google
Manufacturing Stage
Operational controls in copper manufacturing differ from one nation to the other. Sadly, most third world copper mining operations continuously contribute high degrees of health hazards to the well being of individuals living and working in the manufacturing mines. However, irrespective of the country of manufacture, copper production involves a series of electrochemical, physical and chemical processes with corresponding negative impacts. The smelting process, for instance, can lead to large quantities of little-concentrated sulfur dioxide (“The Effects of Copper Mining”). The effect of copper exposure upon manufacturers has earned a considerable study, and as such, the mechanisms by which the human body incorporates elements of copper have been clearly understood (“Copper Production & Environmental Impact”). Two generic disorders, namely; Menkes Disease (MD) and Wilson’s Disease (WD) results from the mutations in enzymes which take part in copper transportation into the body cells. WD has a higher tendency of causing chronic copper accumulations in the global body storage, which, however, can be remedied by chelation therapy (“Metals in Medicine and the Environment”). Additionally, copper poisoning, which results in WD is characterized by brain damage, renal disease, hepatic cirrhosis and the deposition of copper in the cornea. MD, that presents itself as a global copper shortage in body stores, cannot be easily treated and often leads to death (“Impacts of Copper Mining”). The exposure to chronic and high copper levels increases the risk factor for both coronary heart diseases and lung cancer.
Sources for Q 2
Copper Production & Environmental Impact. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/copper-production-environmental-impact/
Metals in Medicine and the Environment. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://faculty.virginia.edu/metals/cases/dudgeon3.html
Impacts of Copper Mining on people and nature. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from https://www.danwatch.dk/en/undersogelseskapitel/impacts-of-copper-mining-on-people-and-nature/
The Effects of Copper Mining on Environment and Society. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.utne.com/environment/copper-mining-effects-ze0z1409zhur.aspx
Use
Copper alloys, when melted, might release other fumes. For instance, Beryllium is often applied in alloys with copper. Whereas Beryllium is not considered dangerous, particularly in its natural solid state, the gaseous state that it adopts while melted is a known hazard to human health (“Water Treatment Solutions”). Again, individuals who are living in houses that have copper plumbing often get exposed to increased copper levels than the rest of the people since copper is released directly into their drinking water via pipe corrosions. Occupational copper exposure is a frequent occurrence in life. In copper use and working environments, there is a lot of copper contagion that potentially leads to flu-like conditions, referred to as mental fever (“Copper - Scientific Review”). Long-term copper exposure may cause irritation of body parts such as the eyes, mouth, and nose while also causing stomachaches, dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, and vomiting (“COPPER: Uses, Side Effects”). However, intentionally increased copper uptakes can lead to kidney and liver damages. Also, the exposure to copper dust, mists or fumes in industrial setups can lead to metal fume fevers, which in turn may cause atrophic changes in the mucous membranes of the nose. Other scientific articles have shown that there is a link between exposure to high copper concentrations and the intelligence decline in young teenagers. Again, the oil and gas generating mines and plants have critical areas where copper is likely to cause spark hazards, especially when not properly protected (“Copper vs. fiber”).
Sources for Q 3
Water Treatment Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/cu.htm
Copper vs. fiber wire in cable design. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.wireandcabletips.com/copper-vs-fiber-wire-cable-design/
COPPER: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-902-copper.aspx?activeingredientid=902
Copper - Scientific Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from https://examine.com/supplements/copper/
Recycling/Disposal Stage
Copper recycling process rarely contributes to environmental pollution because there are fewer emissions of gasses into the environment (“Extracting copper: Recycling”). Additionally, recycling enables the conservation of some other valuable energy resources such as oil and coal through avoidance of landscape-setting interference that would have otherwise been unsettled (“Is Recycling Copper Good for the Environment?”). It is estimated that only 12% of the known and identified sources of copper have been explored/mined, but given that copper is one of the nonrenewable sources, through recycling, this valuable resource is conserved. Additionally, owing to the belief that, copper is nearly 100% recyclable, and that recycled copper always retains up to 90% of its original cost, environmental conservation is enhanced by opting to recycle instead of mining (“Recycling of Copper”). Also, recycling helps in waste management since, without recycling, valuable volumes of copper scrap could end up being dumped in landfills, making it too much waste to accommodate. Furthermore, the demand for landfill spaces is so high contributing to the increased costs of waste dumping (“Copper recycling and sustainability”). Moreover, metals like copper, when buried, add harmful effects to the environment, including contaminating ground water tables. Therefore, recycling copper prevents it from not only being dumped into landfills but also reduces its chances of causing damage to the environment. Recycling copper waste products such slag generated from the smelting exercise eliminates their effects on the environment (“Copper, n.d.”).
Sources for Q 4
Is Recycling Copper Good for the Environment? | The Classroom | Synonym. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://classroom.synonym.com/recycling-copper-good-environment-18437.html
Recycling of Copper. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.copper.org/environment/lifecycle/ukrecyc.html
Copper. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Copper.html
Copper recycling and sustainability - Benefits of recycling. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://resources.schoolscience.co.uk/CDA/16plus/sustainability/copper3.html
Extracting copper. Recycling. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://resources.schoolscience.co.uk/CDA/11-14/chemistry/copch32pg3.html
Reference
Copper mining. From ore to copper. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://resources.schoolscience.co.uk/CDA/14-16/cumining/copch2pg2.html
Chemistry 11-14. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://copperalliance.org.uk/education-and-careers/education-resources/copper-mining-and-extraction-sulfide-ores
Copper Processing Plant. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://en.ytxinhai.com/solutions_18_7_1.html?utm_source=google
Water Treatment Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/cu.htm
Is Recycling Copper Good for the Environment? | The Classroom | Synonym. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://classroom.synonym.com/recycling-copper-good-environment-18437.html
Impacts of copper mining on people and nature. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from https://www.danwatch.dk/en/undersogelseskapitel/impacts-of-copper-mining-on-people-and-nature/
The Effects of Copper Mining on Environment and Society. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.utne.com/environment/copper-mining-effects-ze0z1409zhur.aspx
Copper vs. fiber wire in cable design. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.wireandcabletips.com/copper-vs-fiber-wire-cable-design/
COPPER: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-902-copper.aspx?activeingredientid=902
Copper - Scientific Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from https://examine.com/supplements/copper/
Copper. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Copper.html
Recycling of Copper. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://www.copper.org/environment/lifecycle/ukrecyc.html
Extracting copper. Recycling. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://resources.schoolscience.co.uk/CDA/11-14/chemistry/copch32pg3.html
Metals in Medicine and the Environment. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://faculty.virginia.edu/metals/cases/dudgeon3.html
Copper recycling and sustainability - Benefits of recycling. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2016, from http://resources.schoolscience.co.uk/CDA/16plus/sustainability/copper3.html
