GEOL 110 The Liquefied Petroleum Gases Has a Flammable Combination Essay

A well-known saying in the mining industry is “If it cannot be grown, it must be mined.” Think of something you use every day (a phone, a TV, a pen, a car, a bike, etc.) and write a 2-3 page essay on a product that you use every day that discusses that product from creation to disposal and integrating imagery of the life-cycle of the product. Your essay should cite at least 2 primary sources and should integrate the following: 

The product’s material content/components/ingredients (what is it made of?)

The geologic origin of the components of that product including what geologic environment or conditions in which they formed; the geologic process of their formation, how those components are mined, extracted, etc., and how are they transported, refined, and assembled and transported to market. 

A discussion of the disposal of your product after use. How is it typically disposed of? What potential contaminants to the soil/groundwater/air may result from the disposal of this product? Could this product be recycled? What in this product is recyclable?

NOTE: If you choose an electronic device such as a cell phone, television or a computer, select one component of the device (like the battery or the screen) to investigate.  These devices utilize dozens of minerals and they cannot all be covered in a 3-4 page paper.