What is iron, where does it come from and how is it mined? This useful metal has many applications. The chemical element plays an important role in world industry, and the iron cycle in nature is important in the life of the planet.
What is iron?
Iron is a metallic element that is highly chemically reactive, especially when it interacts with oxygen. It 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) comes from its Latin name ferum. In its pure form, it is a soft and brittle metal, which is strengthened by impurities. When combined with carbon, steel is produced that uses more than 98% of the iron ore mined today.
All of the iron atoms in the universe were formed in the cores of stars during the final stages of fusion and then released into space in stellar explosions. It is the fourth largestelement in the earth's crust after silicon, oxygen and aluminium. What is iron? It is the most common element that makes up our planet, although most of it by mass is located much below the surface - in the Earth's core. It is present in almost all rocks of the crust and mantle as a chemical constituent of hundreds of different minerals.
Iron ore
This metal is rare in its pure form. Some meteorites contain elemental iron. This element chemically reacts with oxygen and water to produce iron-bearing minerals. Any stone that contains enough of this metal to be mined for economic purposes is called iron ore. Its most common minerals are:
- iron oxide (formula Fe2O3), which is formed when exposed to oxygen;
- hydrated iron oxide, which is formed by reaction in water.
The most important iron ores are iron oxide minerals called hematite and magnetite. The high concentration of Fe makes them the most preferred in the industry. Iron is mined at the largest ore deposits. Most often these are formations that are ancient sedimentary rocks. They contain layers of iron oxide minerals (formula Fe2O3) up to several centimeters thick.
Where can I find iron?
At room temperature, it issolid. It is a shiny gray metal that rusts over time when exposed to moist air. It combines with many other metals to form alloys. The scope of iron is quite extensive. When it combines with carbon, it becomes steel. It can also be combined with other metals such as nickel, chromium and tungsten. These alloys are very strong and can be used to make bridges and buildings.
Iron is a very ancient element that has been 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 also be found on other planets, including the core of Jupiter and Saturn, as well as the red dusty surface of Mars (which is why it was called the Red Planet).
Terrestrial iron cycle in nature
Iron (Fe) follows the geochemical cycle, like many other nutrients. It is usually released into the soil or ocean through the weathering of rocks or volcanic eruptions. In the terrestrial ecosystem, plants first absorb iron through their roots from the soil. It is an extremely important nutrient that moves between living organisms and the geosphere.
Ironis an important limiting nutrient for plants, which use it to produce chlorophyll. Photosynthesis depends on an adequate supply of this metal. Plants assimilate it from the soil into the roots. Animals consume the plant and use it to produce hemoglobin. When they die, they decompose and the bacteria return the metal to the soil.
Sea Cycle of Iron
The marine cycle of iron in nature is very similar to the earth cycle. This process occurs due to the vital activity of certain microorganisms that oxidize the metal to hydroxide and obtain 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 also significant. The main producers that absorb this metal are usually phytoplankton or cyanobacteria. Iron is then absorbed by consumers when they eat these bacteria. The cycle of iron in nature is an extremely complex process. It depends on many concomitant factors: chemical reactions, types of habitats and groups of microbes. All this connects it with other equally important biogeochemical cycles of the Earth.
General characteristics
Iron in the form of various combined ores is one of the most common elements that make up about 5% of the earth's crust. The most important iron-bearing minerals areoxides 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 sea and fresh water.
Interesting facts
Here are some interesting facts about this seemingly simple chemical element:
- Iron is an essential building block for plant nutrition and helps carry oxygen in the blood, thus supporting life on Earth.
- It is a brittle solid, classified as a metal in group 8 on the periodic table of the elements. In its pure form, it quickly corrodes from exposure to humid air and high temperatures.
- It is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth's crust by weight, and most of the Earth's core is believed to be iron.
- Most of it is used to make steel, an alloy of iron and carbon, which in turn is used in manufacturing and construction, such as reinforced concrete.
- Stainless steel containing at least 10.5% chromium is highly resistant to corrosion. It is used in kitchen cutlery and utensils such as stainless steel pots.
- Adding other elements can provide the steel with new useful properties. For example, nickel increases the durability of the alloy and makes it more resistant to heat and acids.
Brief information about the element Fe
- Numberprotons in the nucleus: 26.
- Atomic symbol: Fe.
- Average mass of an atom: 55.845 g/mol.
- Density: 7.874 grams per cubic centimeter.
- Phase at room temperature: solid.
- Melting point: 1538 0C.
- Boiling point: 2861 0C.
- Number of isotopes: 33.
- Stable isotopes: 4.
Main applications
Iron is used in many sectors such as electronics, manufacturing, automotive and construction. The following are the applications of iron:
- As a primary constituent of ferrous metals, alloys and steel.
- An alloy using carbon, nickel, chromium and various other elements to produce iron or steel.
- In magnets.
- In finished metal products.
- In industrial equipment.
- In transport equipment.
- In the tools.
- In toys and sporting goods.
Iron makes up 5% of the earth's crust and is one of the most common and most used metals. This element is also found in meat, potatoes and vegetables and is essential for animals and humans. It is an integral part of hemoglobin. The metal is greyish in appearance and highly ductile and malleable. It dissolves readily in dilute acids and is reactive. The main iron mining areas are China, Australia, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine.
