EarthWords is an on-going series in which we shed some light on the complicated, often difficult-to-pronounce language of science. Think of us as your terminology tour-guides, and meet us back here every week for a new word!

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The EarthWord: Ferrous

Definition:

• Sadly this is not the same as a Ferris wheel. This ferrous refers to the presence of iron in a mineral. A ferrous mineral has iron, a non-ferrous one does not.

Etymology:

• Ferrous comes to us from the Latin ferrum, which means “iron.” That’s also where the Atomic symbol for iron, Fe, comes from.

Use/Significance in the Earth Science Community:

• The study of ferrous minerals is important for a couple of reasons. The first is that iron and its related metals are very important to the world’s economy. In fact, iron and steel comprise about 95 percent of all the tonnage of metal produced annually in the United States and the world.

• Another main reason why studying ferrous minerals is important is that many useful mineral occur alongside the ferrous ones. That means that when you mine the iron, you can also get the other minerals, a process known as co-production. In many cases, that’s how minerals that would not be worth enough to mine on their own can be produced profitably.

• Finally, ferrous minerals can have different environmental effects when mined. The ferrous mineral pyrite can create acid mine drainage when exposed to oxygen and water. Acid mine drainage can have a number of negative environmental effects.

USGS Use:

• USGS studies iron and other ferrous minerals both in the United States and throughout the world. In addition, USGS tracks the recycling of iron and steel scrap, and the nonmetallic byproducts of iron and steel manufacturing called slag.

• USGS studies acid mine drainage and other environmental effects of mining throughout the United States.

Next EarthWord: Whether you pan for gold or rare earths, you’ll get a lot of sand...and this EarthWord!

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