Strip Mining Lab Use Complete Sentences

Adapted from Ms. Scott’s Environmental Science NAME______

Strip Mining Lab – Use Complete Sentences

Materials:  cupcake w/ cream center aka ‘Hostess Chocolate Cupcake’  metric ruler  plastic knife  scissors  straw

Procedure: 1. Initial Research – Create Mine Schematic: Measure cupcake height and diameter in centimeters. Draw a scale diagram of your cupcake (top-view & side-views) and include the height and diameter measurements. Do not color them in… just draw outlines & measurements. Helpful Hint: keep it neat… you’ll be adding many details to these diagrams throughout the lab.

TOP VIEW N

S SIDE VIEW SIDE VIEW Adapted from Ms. Scott’s Environmental Science NAME______

(from the south) (from the west)

2. Find Exact Location of Mineral - Take Core Samples: Plunge the straw into the top of the cupcake until you reach the bottom. Twist the straw slightly and pull it out. Take at least 3 core samples. You are trying to find the cream center, which represents your valuable ore. Use scissors to carefully cut open the straws. a. Use this core sample to draw a scale diagram of where your ore is located including measurements in cm. Add these to your diagrams, noting the placement of the core sample and the depth of the valuable ore. b. Hypothesize where your valuable ore is. Using a different colored pencil on the above diagrams, draw an outline of your hypothesis and label it. c. If necessary, include different views of your mine on separate graph paper.

3. Remove Overburden & Extract Mineral: In mining, the overburden is waste earth & rock covering a valuable mineral deposit. Using your knife as a representation of your mining tools, carefully remove the overburden & extract your mineral ore, taking measurements. a. To your above diagram(s), add a scale drawing of exactly where you found your ore. More graphs are included below if you need to draw a different view. b. Evaluate the accuracy of the hypothesis you made using core samples.

4. Mine Reclamation: Replace Overburden & Study Effects on Mine Area: Carefully replace the overburden to reclaim the land. Try to make it realistic… true soil and rock will settle completely, and will not allow any caverns or empty spaces. a. Does the area mined look the same once the mineral is extracted?

b. Take height and diameter measurements in centimeters. c. Using a third colored pencil, draw & label a diagram of your reclaimed cupcake mine. d. What was the percentage decrease in height of your mined area? Show your work.

5. Conclusion: In your own words, explain how this lab’s procedures compare to true surface mining. For details on mountaintop removal (MTR – considered “strip mining on steroids”), refer to the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPixjCneseE (from ilovemountains.org). Adapted from Ms. Scott’s Environmental Science NAME______

6. Conclusion: List & explain at least 3 harmful effects of strip mining on the environment. Refer to your textbook & online research.