What is it - iron, where did it come from and howis he mined? This useful metal has many applications. The chemical element plays an important role in global industry, and the circulation of iron in nature is important in the life of the planet.
Iron is a metallic elementwhich is very chemically reactive, especially when it interacts with oxygen. This is one of the most common elements on Earth and in space. Iron atoms contain 26 protons in their nuclei. The chemical symbol Fe (ferum) is derived from its Latin name ferum. In its pure form, it is a soft and brittle metal, which is enhanced with the help of impurities. When combined with carbon, steel is obtained, for the production of which more than 98% of the iron ore mined today is used.
All iron atoms in the universe formed inthe nuclei of stars in the final stages of fusion, and then were released into space by stellar explosions. This is the fourth largest element in the Earth's crust after silicon, oxygen and aluminum. What is iron? This is the most common element that makes up our planet, although most of its mass is much below the surface - in the core of the Earth. It is present in almost all rocks of the crust and mantle as a chemical component of hundreds of different minerals.
In its pure form, this metal is rare.Some meteorites contain elemental iron. This element chemically reacts with oxygen and water to produce iron-containing minerals. Any stone that contains a sufficient amount of this metal, mined for economic purposes, is called iron ore. Its most common minerals are:
The most important iron ores areiron oxide minerals called hematite and magnetite. High concentration of Fe makes them the most preferred in the industry. Iron production is carried out on the largest ore deposits. Most often these are formations that are ancient sedimentary rocks. They contain layers of iron oxide minerals (formula Fe2ABOUT3) thickness up to several centimeters.
At room temperature, it issolid. It is a shiny gray metal that will rust with time when exposed to moist air. It combines with many other metals to form alloys. The scope of iron is quite extensive. When it is combined with carbon, steel is obtained. It can also be combined with other metals, such as nickel, chromium and tungsten. These alloys are very durable and can be used for the manufacture of bridges and buildings.
Железо - очень древний элемент, который used on Earth for a long time. Objects from it were found in ancient Egypt. There was even a whole period of time (1200-500 BC), named after him - the Iron Age, when it was used to make tools and weapons. To find this useful metal, you need to look for it deep underground. It is found both in the earth's crust and in the core of the Earth. There is more iron on Earth than any other metal. This element can be found on other planets, including the core of Jupiter and Saturn, as well as the red dusty surface of Mars (in connection with this, it was called the Red Planet).
Iron (Fe) follows the geochemical cycle asand many other nutrients. It is usually released into the soil or into the ocean through weathering of rocks or volcanic eruptions. In the terrestrial ecosystem, plants first absorb iron through the roots of the soil. It is an extremely important nutrient that moves between living organisms and the geosphere.
Iron is an important limiting nutrient.a substance for plants that use it to produce chlorophyll. Photosynthesis depends on an adequate supply of this metal. Plants assimilate it from the soil to the roots. Animals consume plants and use it to produce hemoglobin. When they die, they decompose and the bacteria return the metal to the soil.
Морской круговорот железа в природе очень похож on the earth cycle. This process occurs due to the vital activity of certain microorganisms, which oxidize the metal to hydroxide and produce carbon from carbon dioxide. Iron bacteria in a river, sea or any other body of water extract energy for their life cycle, and after its completion they settle in the soil in the form of swamp ore.
The role of iron in ocean ecosystems is alsosignificant. The main producers that absorb this metal are usually phytoplankton or cyanobacteria. Then iron is absorbed by consumers when they eat these bacteria. The circulation of iron in nature is an extremely complex process. It depends on many related factors: chemical reactions, habitat types, and microbial groups. All this connects it with other, equally important biogeochemical cycles of the Earth.
Iron in the form of various combined oresis one of the most common elements, constituting about 5% of the earth's crust. The most important iron-bearing minerals are oxides and sulfides (hematite, magnetite, goethite, pyrite, marcasite). This metal is also present in meteorites, on other planets and in the sun. Iron is found in both marine and fresh water.
Here are some interesting facts about such a seemingly simple chemical element:
Iron is used in many sectors, such as electronics, manufacturing, automotive and construction. The following are areas of iron use:
Iron makes up 5% of the earth's crust and isone of the most common and most used metals. This element is also found in meat, potatoes and vegetables and is important for animals and people. It is an integral part of hemoglobin. The metal is grayish in appearance and very ductile and malleable. It readily dissolves in dilute acids and is chemically active. The main areas of iron mining are China, Australia, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine.
