From Atoms to Materials

•  Metals are extracted from their ores, cast into shape, and used to make products. • Raw materials are obtained from crude oil through fractional distillation. They are then processed to become plastics, and moulded into products. •  Metal ores are mined. •  Crude oil is drilled from various sources. deforestation 伐林 explosive 炸藥 Extraction Extraction Production Used metal products or plastic products are disposed of. Disposal use Environmental problems related to the use of metals and plastics We shall discuss the environmental problems caused by the use of metals and plastics, according to the following stages: A Fig. 13.36 Stages of the use of metals or plastics Extraction and delivery of crude oil may cause damage to the environment, e.g. air pollution and oil spills. Mining of metal often involves deforestation* and the use of explosives*, leading to destruction of habitats. Open mining Oil spill Air pollution 98 © United Prime Educational Publishing (HK) Limited 2024 All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Sample