PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
MINERAL RESOURCES
Minerals, unlike other resources are non-renewable resources because once they are exhausted, they cannot be replaced. Mineral resources are grouped into the followings: Mineral fuels such as petroleum, coal and natural gas. Ferrous and non-ferrous metals such as iron, copper, tin, aluminium, lead and zinc. Industrial metal e.g. gold, mercury, diamond, silver, graphite and limestone. Ornamental minerals e.g. gold, silver and diamond. Importance of Mineral Resources Sources of fuel: These include coal, petroleum and natural gas. They provide power and energy for domestic and industrial use. Petrol, from petroleum, is used as fuel for vehicles, and natural gas for cooking. Construction purposes: Some minerals like iron, aluminium and zinc…
VEGETATION RESOURCES
Vegetation resources include all the resources one can get from the forest and savanna for the benefit of man, animals and plants. Vegetation resources include timber, roots, leaves, barks of trees, latex, fruits, fibre, firewood and wild animals. Importance of Vegetation Resources to Man Sources of food supply: Resources like fruits (mango, orange), leaves in form of vegetables, bush meat from wild animals provide food for man. Sources of timber: Timber like Iroko, Obeche, Mahogany, etc are sources of planks and plywood used for building and furniture. Timber also provides foreign exchange for the nation. Medicinal herbs: Leaves, roots and barks of some trees are used to prepare medicine…
WATER RESOURCES
Water resources refer to any useful material (living or non-living) inside water which are of benefit to man, animals and plants. Water resources are some of the most important environmental resources of man. Sources of water: Sources of water include oceans, rivers, lakes, rain, springs, reservoirs, wells and boreholes. Importance of Water Resources to Man Sources of food supply: Fishing in oceans, lakes and rivers are known to provide food for man in form of fish, prawns, crayfish, crab, etc. Generation of Hydro-Electric Power (H.E.P): Many rivers are dammed in areas of waterfalls and rapids for the purpose of generating electricity e.g. Kainji and Shiroro dams. Agricultural purposes: Water…
ATMOSPHERIC RESOURCES
Atmospheric resources are those elements such as wind, water, sunlight and gases found in the atmosphere which are of benefit to man, animals and plants. Types of Atmospheric Resources Atmospheric gases, e.g. oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapour, ozone layer and some inert gases like neon, argon and helium. Wind. Rain. Solar energy. The percentage composition of these gases in the atmosphere includes oxygen(21%), nitrogen (78%), inert gases like argon and neon (0.93%), carbon dioxide (0.03%), water vapour including some impurities like smoke and dust is negligible. Importance of Atmospheric Resources (1) Gases (a) Oxygen Oxygen is used by plants and animals for respiration. It also supports burning…
MEANING OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
Environmental resources refer to any useful item in the environment, or materials and substances that are useful to man. In other words, environmental resources are useful things (both living and non-living) occurring naturally within a particular geographical location which are of benefit to man, animals and plants. Any useful thing we can find in water, atmosphere, vegetation and land are all examples of environmental resources. Environmental resources refer to resources within the environment that are useful to man. In other words, these are materials or substances and other forces like wind that are useful to man. Types of Environmental Resources: There are five main environmental resources and these are: Atmospheric…
