People would sulfur without minerals

Mineral nutrients compose the world around us in the form of chemical elements, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iodine, and sodium. The biological flora or bacterium contained within each living organism contributes to the weathering of these minerals in order to release nutrients and replenish existing reserves. This process contributes to the global cycling of biological minerals. Plants also play a role in mineral distribution. Plants absorb minerals previously dissolved by the scores of microorganisms and then are digested by the herbivores who eat them. Each mineral plays a role in the fortification of the body's ecosystem. For instance, calcium strengthens bones and teeth, while magnesium combats stress and fatigue. Sodium regulates water and tissue equilibrium, while sulphate eliminates toxins and other foreign agents. The following categories will help explain the necessity for minerals in our dietary regimen, why we may have an epidemic of mineral loss, and how humans can re-establish a deficient-free society.

Minerals and the Modern World :

The average American consumes 40,000 pounds of minerals annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Mines. More specifically, a single individual will consume 1,050 pounds of lead, 1,750 pounds of copper, 91,000 pounds of iron and steel, and 360,500 pounds of coal over the course of their lifetime. Humans are constantly exposed to minerals from the time we wake up until the minute we fall asleep. The alarm clock we turn off to the electric light switch we flip off before going to sleep are all composed of minerals, such as limestone, mica, aluminum, petroleum, talc and copper. The coffee we drink and the food we eat all contain minerals to help our bodies function and combat illnesses. The soil we harvest food from containes dissolved minerals absorbed by plants to help them flourish and feed herbivores and omnivores. Laptops, cellphones, automobiles, and clothing all contain an abundance of minerals that allow us to live luxuriously.

Minerals in Agriculture :

A fertile and productive agricultural system provides a nation with substantial resources. Without soil enrichment, crops can not grow and become a limiting factor in food distribution. Over-exploitation of the soil yields weak results. Many small-scale farmers can not afford to buy fertilizers because of high transportation costs. Fertilizers, organic or inorganic material, are added to soil as a supply of nutrients vital for plant growth. About 40 to 60 percent of all crop yields stem from commercial fertilizer use. Inorganic fertilizers rank as the highest supporting mineral base in proportion with the global population. In fact, it is estimated that roughly one half of the world's agriculture production stems from synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Fertilizers provide six important macro-nutrients, including nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, and calcium. Additionally, fertilizers provide seven important micro-nutrients, including zinc, copper, iron, chlorine, manganese, molybdenum, and boron. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are supplied through water and carbon dioxide.

Minerals in Construction :

Every aspect of our daily lives uses minerals. From the food that we eat to the roads that we drive on and the infrastructure we live and work in are all composed of minerals, including metallic, non-metallic, mineral byproducts, rock types, and aggregates. Aggregates, gypsum and dimension stone are primarily used in new building, maintenance and repair of existing buildings. More specifically, gypsum is processed and used as a prefabricated wallboard or industrial plaster. Aggregates, or coarse material, such as concrete, sand, crushed gravel, and slag, are used to lay the foundations of new infrastructure. Basement walls are primarily composed of efflorescence, a loose mineral salt, and other mineral deposits.

Minerals in Manufacturing :

Manufacturing relies heavily on an array of minerals, including iron ore, and silica as ingredients in the construction of automobile parts, tools, and machines used to produce the aforementioned materials. Other manufacturing facilities use iron to construct water TV sets, irrigation systems, and ovens. Other construction and computer industries use aluminum in the manufacturing of cars and airplanes. Some industries use copper in its manufacturing of industrial equipment and transportation vehicles. Copper has also been used in making fine jewelery and coins.

Minerals in Transportation :

The transportation industry uses several different minerals in the manufacturing of automobiles, including iron ore, which is used to make steel. The car uses other materials, such as magnetite and hematite to create a strong, rigid, and hard frame. Automobile bumpers, badges, and door handles are often created from chromium to prevent rusting. Chromium comes from the mineral chromite. Lead was used for many years as an additive to petrol used to induce engine power. Car brakes are generally made from asbestos minerals to create a flexible, durable, and non-flammable automobile part. Aluminum and titanium are used in airplanes for its lightweight composition. Aluminum originates from a mineral called bauxite. Titanium originates from minerals called rutile and ilmenite, and may be used in the manufacturing of space craft due to its strength, lightweight composition, and rigidity.

Minerals in Electronics :

Many electronic gadgets use gold because of its ability to conduct electricity. Gold is highly flexible, which allows it to twist easily into fine wires. This makes it an ideal mineral in the making of electronic circuit boards and other electrical components. Muscovite mica is used to construct electrical capacitors and high temp insulators. Mica is ideal because it does not conduct electricity and has a high melting point. Computers rely on silicon chip technology to process data. Quartz contains silicon, which is important in electronics. Glass is made from quartz sand, a material used in the manufacturing of computer screens. Quartz is ideal for electronics due to its hard, impermeable, transparent and rigid composition.

Minerals in Arts and Science :

Originally, the source for pigments were found in the earth in the form of colored soft rocks. Some of these readily available minerals include:gypsum, cerussite, galena, graphite, cinnabar, hematite, malachite, azurite, and orpiment. Gypsum, cerussite, and stibnite creates a white and greyish texture. Graphite has a blackish pigment, while cinnabar has a reddish color. Hematite has an earthy to bright-red pigment, while malachite illuminates a bright green texture. Early uses of pigments include ancient cave drawings, cosmetics, and religious preparation for burial of the dead. Clays and aggregates were used to create pottery and other sculpted masterpieces.