Marble as a Resource

By Matthew Robbins

Monday, December 9, 13

My Goal

• The goal of this project is to “foster increased public awareness of earth resource use, and potential economic, social, political, and/or environmental impacts”. In order to successfully complete this goal, I have educated myself on the topic of Marble consumption. I have done so by analyzing social media outlets portraying a certain viewpoint in relation to my chosen resource. In doing so, I have educated myself using sources that portray multiple viewpoints. I have analyzed this information, and, in an attempt to “increase awareness and provide factual content for the public”, I have created this slide show. I understand that the viewers of this content have stumbled upon my powerpoint for various reasons. It is possible that you are simply a fan of Marble’s visual appeal, or maybe you are potential Marble consumer. Nonetheless, this powerpoint is a relevant source of educational material to all with an interest in Marble.

Monday, December 9, 13

What is Marble?

• Marble is a metamorphic form of limestone

• Limestone is classified as “a bedded sedimentary rock composed largely of the mineral calcite, or CaCO3”.

• Metamorphism, or “regional metamorphism” occurs, “in response to rising pressure and temperature when sedimentary rocks have been buried at depths as great as 10 km”.

• Carbon based calcite or dolomite minerals are melted and recrystallized, forming marble

• Scientific term vs. Commercial term

• Scientific term - recrystallized limestone (or dolomite) during metamorphic process

• Commercial term - crystalline limestones or serpentines (ultramafic igneous rocks), will take on polish, and can be produced in large scale form

Monday, December 9, 13

Common Uses for Marble

• Building material

• architecture

• public buildings, cathedrals, mansions, colleges/universities, home remodeling

• columns, floors, counter tops, etc.

• artistic construction

• statue, memorials, etc. (see above)

• Extremely sturdy, visually appealing, and can generally withstand the elements over time (yet, microbial deterioration is a concern)

Monday, December 9, 13

Why the Variety?• White in it’s purest form

• Minerals in water blend with marble and form “veins and freckles” (black)

• Oxidation of iron causes yellow and brown coloring

• Certain types of limestones have unique qualities

• Examples:

• Serpentine Marble is comprised of mostly magnesium silicate

• Tennessee Marble is actually limestone that has not been metamorphosed

• Colors introduced by other impurities

• formed by contact with sand, chert, or other materials

• serpentine (green)

• hematite (red and pink)

Monday, December 9, 13

Examples of Variety• Tomb of the

Unknown Soldier - built from Yule Marble (a)

• King Edward VII Memorial - built from with Carrara Marble (b)

• The “grand staircase”of the Swedish Stadshuset - build from Swedish Green Marble (c)

• The Effigy of King John - build from Purbeck Marble

(a) (b)

(c) (d)Monday, December 9, 13

The Quarrying Process

• Open-pit mining

• Desired marble slab (based on color, composition, and pattern) identified

• testing process to determine suitable building material

• testing process to avoid serious environmental degradation

• geology expertise needed

• Owner of potential mine must file for a concession and apply for government licenses

• Dirt removed (if necessary) to reach ideal limestone deposits

• Slabs of rock, cut, and removed (in manor determined by manager of specific quarry)

• This video provides a look into a modern day Marble Quarry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0ABETi2nPQ

• This video (first 3 minutes) provides a look into the history of Marble Quarrying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvMI2r1RS78

Monday, December 9, 13

Examples of Marble Quarries

Monday, December 9, 13

Environmental Impacts• Environmental degradation

• “...visual intrusion, damage landscapes, traffic, smoke, noise, dust, damage to caves, loss of land, and a deterioration in water quality [altered by sediment accumulation]”

• geomorphology and conversion of land use

• Health effects

• accidents in the workplace

• macro-climatic conditions and solar radiation

• dust, smoke, fume, gas, and dirt/sediment

• Modern advancements have limited some of the nasty byproducts released during the quarrying, production, and transportation process

• modern diamond studded saws create less waste previously invented saws, and much less traditional soaking water soaked wooden wedge

• government based incentives can reduced carbon emissions from production and transportation processes

• therefore, negative effects exacerbated in less-regulated, and generally less wealthy, portions of the globe

Monday, December 9, 13

Domestic Impact

• In recent years US production, mined by five companies operating six quarries was around 46,400 tons valued at $18.1 million

• About 1.7 million tons of dimension stone sold by US producers. Of this 2% accounted for sale of marble

• These statistics are relevant only to uncrushed domestic stone consumption

Monday, December 9, 13

Global Impact

• Over 100 million metric tones produced per year

• $40 billion spent on the resource

• Worlds top producers: Italy 20%, China 16%, India 10%, Spain6%, and Portugal 5%

• World growth rate of about 8%

• rapid growth in the Middle-East

• Example: 60% increase in Afghanistan since 2008

Monday, December 9, 13

Examples of Global Impact

• http://vimeo.com/17802790 - Modern mining initiative located in India

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJGTsvC2iDE - Modern mining initiative located in Pakistan, also showcases impact of globalization in the industry

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCUtfb4qtUg - Modern mining initiative located in the Philippines

• The juxtaposition of these three initiatives is quite interesting. They showcase the local specimen, scale, mining techniques, and social media reach of these different regions.

Monday, December 9, 13

Sources• Content:

• "Yule Marble Quarry Cutting » Yule Marble Quarry Cutting." Fox Marble RSS 092. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.

• "World at Work: Marble Quarrying in Tuscany." -- Angotzi Et Al. 62 (6): 417. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2013.

• U.S. Geological Survey. Mineral Commodity Summaries 2013. Rep. no. 9781411335486. Reston: n.p., 2013. Print.

• Afghanistan Investment Support Agency. A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF MARBLE INDUSTRY IN AFGHANISTAN. Rep. N.p.: n.p., 2012. Print.

• "Marble." HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.

• Strategic Positioning Study of the Marble Branch. Rep. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

• Effects of Limestone Quarrying and Cement-plant Operations on Runoff and Sediment Yields in the Upper Permanente Creek Basin, Santa Clara County, California. Rep. Vol. VI. N.p.: n.p., 1989. Print.

• "The Evolution Of Marble Extraction Techniques." About.com Mining. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2013.

• "Global Granite & Marble :: Quarrying & Processing." Global Granite & Marble :: Quarrying & Processing. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013.

• "How Does Acid Precipitation Affect Marble and Limestone Buildings? [USGS]." How Does Acid Precipitation Affect Marble and Limestone Buildings? [USGS]. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013.

• Langer, William H. Potential Environmental Impacts of Quarrying Stone in Karst-— A Literature Review. Rep. N.p.: n.p., 2001. Print.

Monday, December 9, 13

Sources Continued• Images:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/YuleMarbleTous.jpg

http://images.foodnetwork.com/webfood/images/lifestyle/kitchendesign/marioskitchen/mario_slide10.html

http://www.kileconstruction.com/images/Marble%20Counter%203.jpg

http://nbaarchitects.com/how-to-clean-a-marble-floor/how-to-clean-a-marble-floor-331/

http://2pznappod.blogspot.com/2010/11/marble-quarry.html

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inside_a_Carrara_marble_quarry_6396.jpg

http://baritemill.com/uploads/allimg/c130902/13N103A10010-33510.jpg

http://ronbaileyphotography.wordpress.com/the-quarry-road-danger/

• Videos:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kelE5U6KHLM

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn2ZMeVKoyk

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCUtfb4qtUg

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5MYsAmokis

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyVEOfZVu10

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn3lJEnV_H0

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsCWHwjaxhE

• http://vimeo.com/17802790

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0ABETi2nPQ

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJGTsvC2iDE

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCUtfb4qtUg

Monday, December 9, 13