What you'll learn
How soils form and how rock and mineral resources are used.
Soil
- Soil forms from weathered rock plus organic matter (humus), water, air and organisms.
- A good soil has structure, nutrients and the right pH for plant growth.
- Soil profile: layers (horizons) from surface to bedrock.
Rock and mineral resources
- Minerals, metals, fossil fuels and building materials are extracted by mining and quarrying.
- These resources are mostly non-renewable.
Impacts of extraction
- Land degradation, habitat loss, dust and water pollution — needing careful management and land restoration.
Exam tips
- Know the components of a fertile soil.
- Balance the value of extraction against its environmental costs.
Common mistakes
- Treating soil as just 'dirt' rather than a living resource.
- Ignoring restoration after mining.