Metals are extremely useful for our daily activities. But the process of finding, extracting and refining metals can damage our environment. Furthermore, we live in an age where radioactive metals are widely used. These highly reactive metals combine to give off powerful energy which can be used in industry and for military weapons. The radioactive emissions from these devices can have a devastating effect on our environment.
Wildlife
When metals are extracted from the ground the vegetation and soil covering the deposit are removed. Sometimes a new road is needed to access the site. These actions can cause erosion, destroy wildlife habitats and impair the natural beauty of an area. Aquatic life in nearby water sources may also be affected.
Pollution
By their nature, metals are strong and resistant to corrosion. Scrap metal is therefore a serious waste product. It spoils the natural beauty of a landscape. Abandoned cars are a particular problem. Mercury used in car head lamps and antilock braking systems can release toxic chemicals into the environment, causing harm to human health and wildlife.
Waste metal
Metal is a valuable material and consequently waste metal is rarely deposited in landfill waste sites. Instead this strong and hard-wearing material is reused or recycled again and again. Scrap metal companies have licences that allow them to deposit and store metal in a safe manner. This helps to prevent toxic chemicals from being released into the environment.
Recycling
Recycling metal saves natural resources, uses less energy than the mining process and reduces air and water pollution. Scrap metal recycling is well developed throughout the world. Scrap metal is commonly mixed with ‘new’ metal to make new products, such as in the steel-making process
What you can do
Many metal items in your home can be reused or recycled. Recycling aluminium tins and cans is one way that you can help to save energy and conserve the world’s natural resources. Old computers and other electrical equipment can also be reused. Why don’t you ask about recycling schemes in your local area?
Scientists continue to discover and develop new metals and alloys which can be used in modern technology and industry. The aviation industry in particular, requires metals that are strong and light. For this reason aluminium alloys are often used to make planes. Titanium is used for high speed aircraft that get very hot and some engine parts are made of steel. As fossil fuels run out, the search also goes on for lightweight metals that can be used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. These metals could be used to make batteries or fuel cells.
Each metal has its own particular properties. So we may choose different metals to do different jobs. When an electric current passes through tungsten wire it glows but does not melt. This makes it ideal for light bulbs. Forks need to be cheap and strong but must not rust. Stainless steel is a suitable choice. See if you can find out why other metals in these pictures are being used.
A lot of metals and metal alloys have been used to make this coach. The body and chassis are mostly made of metal. The battery contains lead plates; all the wiring is copper; the trim is probably chromium or stainless steel; and the door handles are plated zinc alloy. The wheels may be an alloy of magnesium and aluminium and the light bulbs contain tungsten. A catalytic converter, made from rare metals such as palladium, rhodium and platinum, can be placed in the exhaust system to make the engine fumes cleaner. The converter changes polluting gases, such as carbon monoxide, into cleaner substances.
