Video Transcript
True or False: Sedimentary rocks,
such as limestone, phosphates, and iron deposits, have no economic value.
Rocks of economic value can be
mined, processed, and delivered to the marketplace for profit. So, do limestone, phosphates, and
iron deposits have economic value?
Limestone is a carbonate rock
composed of the mineral calcite. Limestone has widespread use as a
building and decorative stone. It is also the raw material for
making lime. Lime is used to treat soils and
purify water. The purest limestone is used in
foods and medicines, such as breakfast cereals and calcium supplements.
Phosphate rocks are economically
important in the agricultural industry and are used as a fertilizer. Phosphates are also used to
manufacture industrial chemicals, food additives, and animal feed supplements. The phosphate turquoise is also
used as a gemstone in jewelry.
The extraction of iron from iron
deposits is one of the most important industrial processes on Earth. Iron is used to make steel, which
is incredibly important for the construction of cars, planes, and beams for large
buildings.
We can see that limestone,
phosphates, and iron deposits have numerous important agricultural, industrial, and
commercial uses and are therefore economically valuable. So, the given statement which
indicates that limestone, phosphates, and iron deposits have no economic value is
false.
