Exploitation and processing of natural resources

> Exploitation of natural energy resources
The processes involved in the extraction of energy resources are quite varied and may refer to:
- Oil - extracted from the basement of our planet through perforations;
- The sun - captured with the help of instruments such as furnaces, collectors or photovoltaic panels;
- Biological resources - obtained from living beings such as in forestry.

> Exploration of non-energy natural resources
The processes involved in the extraction of non-energy resources are also varied, for example:
- Water - extracted from large natural deposits, such as surface water and groundwater;
- Iron and other minerals - extracted in mines;
- Marble and other mineral resources - extracted in open quarries.

> Transformation of natural resources
The processes required for the processing of natural resources, so that they can be used by man varies depending on the natural resource considered.
> In the case of the sun, it can be used for:
- Heating through solar ovens or solar collectors;
- Energy production through photovoltaic panels.

> In the case of oil, this must be refined in order to separate the various products produced from it, such as gasoline, tar and plastic.
> Biomass, such as wood, may be used, according to the cutting and processing, to build objects or for energy production.
> The water collected after the nature must undergo various treatments to become potable.
> Iron is a mineral resource. Its use implies purify it in order to obtain pure iron. Subsequently the material is melted and molded according to desired.
> The ornamental stones such as limestone are cut and carved according to their use.
> Environmental impacts of extraction and processing of natural resources
The extraction and processing of natural resources incur environmental impacts.

> The use of wood leads to logging, which can have impacts as:
- Deforestation;
- Destruction of natural areas;
- Biodiversity loss;
- Soil erosion.

> The use of the heavy oil also has impacts on the environment such as:
- Destruction of natural areas;
- Contamination of water;
- Soil contamination;
- High energy consumption.

> The exploitation of mineral resources such as iron can have the following impacts:
- Destruction of natural areas;
- Contamination of soil and water.

> The exploitation of ornamental stones such as limestone can lead to the following impacts:
- Destruction of natural areas;
- High noise pollution.

> Measures to sustainability in Portugal
Natural resources are essential for the development of our civilization. It is important to implement measures to prevent its depletion.
Examples of these measures implemented in Portugal are:

> National Energy Strategy 2020 (ENE 2020), whose objectives are:
- Reduce the energy dependence of the country;
- Encourage the use of renewable energy;
- Reduce emissions of greenhouse gas effect.

> Rural Development Programme, which aims to increase the efficient use of water in agriculture.


> Strategic Plan for Municipal Solid Waste (PERSU), which aims to encourage selective collection, management, processing, recycling and recovery of municipal solid waste.

Planet Earth

Last updated: 27/12/2014