Nonrenewable resources (also known as finite or exhaustible resources ) are those that exist in limited quantities in nature and, therefore, cannot be exploited indefinitely.
Why Nonrenewable Resource Are Most Important?
These are resources whose extraction and consumption are faster than their renewal in nature. In fact, in some cases, their formation process can take millions of years, while their exploitation can exhaust them in just a few decades.
Among the most important nonrenewable resources are fossil fuels:
- Petroleum
- Natural gas
- Coal
Also those derived from these fuels:
- Gasoline
- Diesel
Just like all metals :
- Gold
- Silver
- Nickel
- Lithium
The dependence on non-renewable resources in certain sectors (such as transportation or technology production) is a matter of concern for politicians, economists and scientists around the world. And the responsible management of natural resources, one of the great objectives of our time.
In this sense, it seeks to promote the transition towards renewable and sustainable sources of energy and materials.
Furthermore, although non-renewable resources do not make their sustainability possible, there are recommendations that can delay their disappearance:
- Develop other inexhaustible electrical mechanisms such as wind, solar or hydroelectric energy.
- Avoid the use of non-renewable resources as a source of raw materials to enable greater environmental sustainability.
Difference between non-renewable resources and nonrenewable energies
The difference between non-renewable resources and non-renewable energies lies in their condition.
In the first case, reference is made to natural resources found in nature. While non-renewable energies are energy sources that come from non-renewable resources . Therefore, these energy sources also deplete over time due to their consumption. Both concepts are related and are linked to sustainability and the need to look for more sustainable and cleaner alternatives for the future.
Most Important Examples Of Nonrenewable Resources:
Among the most used non-renewable resources are fossil fuels, which have been the main source of energy for humanity during the industrial revolution and until today. Also its derivatives, as well as all metals, from the most coveted ones such as gold, to some that have become essential for the technological development of recent decades.
It is a dark, viscous liquid found in underground deposits of sedimentary rock. It is composed of hydrocarbons, mainly carbon and hydrogen. Its formation has occurred over millions of years, after the decomposition of organic matter.
It is a key source of energy in today’s society. It is used as fuel in transportation, industry, as a source of energy and for the production of certain products, including plastics.
Coal
It is a sedimentary rock rich in carbon, which comes in different shapes and qualities. It has a high calorific value. It was formed from plant remains and organic matter that accumulated and compressed in the soil over millions of years.
Historically, it has been one of the most important sources of energy in the world economy since the industrial revolution. Its main functions are industrial, electricity and steel production.
Natural gas
Fossil energy source found in underground deposits along with oil. It is composed mainly of methane, although it may also contain other gaseous hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, butane and traces of inert gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Natural gas is an important and versatile energy source with various applications in today’s economy.
Gasoline
It is a mixture of hydrocarbons, mainly alkanes, that are in the range of 5 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule.
The gasoline production process begins with the refining of crude oil. During the refining process, the oil undergoes fractional distillation, a technique that separates its different components based on their boiling points.
The exact composition may vary depending on regulations and formulas used by refineries.
It has been an essential transportation fuel for decades, but also responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, today it is an object of concern, due to its impact on climate change.
Diesel
It is a type of fuel used in diesel engines, which are highly thermally efficient internal combustion engines. Like gasoline, diesel is mainly composed of hydrocarbons, but is characterized by having a higher proportion of longer chain saturated hydrocarbons (alkanes).
Diesel engines are widely used in heavy transport vehicles, such as trucks, buses, trains and ships. Furthermore, due to their greater efficiency, they are also used in power generators and industrial machinery.
Gold
It is a bright yellow precious metal, known for its beauty, value, and use in various applications throughout history.
Gold does not corrode, making it a highly durable and rust-resistant material. It is one of the densest and most malleable metals available, meaning it can be hammered and stretched into very thin sheets.
Due to its value and attractiveness, gold has been the subject of exploration and mining around the world. Although it is and has been mined for centuries in significant quantities, the supply of gold is limited.
Silver
It is another precious metal of great importance and value in human history. It is a chemical element with the symbol Ag. Silver is known for its characteristic shine and color, which gives it its aesthetic appeal and its usefulness in various applications.
It has been used for the manufacture of jewelry and as currency, but also in the pharmaceutical industry or in photography, among other fields. Its uses are very varied and it has been mined for centuries, despite which silver reserves in the world are limited.
Nickel
It is a silvery and slightly golden transition metal, with high corrosion resistance and a distinctive metallic luster. It is very ductile and malleable, meaning it can be stretched and molded into various shapes. It is mainly extracted from sulfide ores and laterites, and its main producers are Canada, Russia, Australia and New Caledonia.
Nickel is an essential metal in many industries, such as battery manufacturing, coins, electronics industry, etc. However, it has also been the subject of controversy due to its environmental impact on certain extraction and production practices.
Lithium
It is the lightest metal and the least dense of all solid metals. Lithium is a soft, silvery, highly reactive metal. Due to its unique properties, lithium has various applications and is especially known for its use in batteries and energy storage technologies.
It is mainly used for the manufacture of batteries, electric vehicles and in the medical field.
However, increasing demand for lithium has also raised concerns about its availability and the environmental and social implications associated with its extraction in certain regions of the world.
Other less known non-renewable resources
The number of non-renewable resources is very large. In addition, of the best known there are others that are also important in the current industry and economy. Some of which are:
- Uranium
- red copper
- rare earths
- Phosphate
- Rhodium
- Indian
- Chrome
- Gallium
- Antimony
Non-renewable resources and renewable (or inexhaustible) resources
Natural resources are classified as non-renewable resources and renewable resources.
Unlike non-renewable resources, renewable resources are those that are never depleted or that regenerate naturally at speeds greater than their consumption by human beings.
In the first case, we find all inexhaustible resources, that is, those that are never exhausted, regardless of the amount of productive activities that human beings carry out with them. Among the best known are wind, sunlight, sea, wave energy, etc.
On the other hand, in the case of resources whose regeneration is faster than their exploitation, we find another series of resources, such as water and biofuels.
Also READ:
- What Are Renewable Resources And Their Examples
- Examples of Descriptive Text And Their Characteristics
- What Are Social Networks? Types, Examples And Their Features
- Difference Between Debit Card And Credit Card
- Different Types Of Violence YOU NEED To Know About
