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Lighting the Night and Improving the Everyday Adapted from Information Provided by the U.S. Geological Survey On the Fourth of July, drilling professionals, families, and friends across the U.S. will come together to celebrate the nation’s birthday. As dazzling fireworks light the sky this Independence Day, you may wonder how so many different colors, shapes, and effects are possible; or you may have guessed they are all the result of mined minerals! Every distinct colorful glow is the product of specific chemicals derived from minerals. Let’s take a closer look at some of the minerals used in fireworks, as well as many other common items in our lives. Barium Chloride - Green Barium chloride gives fireworks a distinct shade of green. Barium chloride is a metal salt; but the barium comes fromminerals, most commonly barite. China has the largest known reserves. Most U.S. production of barium comes from four mines in Nevada. The most common personal experience with barium is likely tied to the doctor’s office, as barium is used to help doctors see organs more clearly in x-rays or scans. Organs coated with barium stand out, allowing easier detection of irregularities. Most barite sold in the U.S. is used in the gas and oil industry. The name barite is derived from the Greek word for heavy. Thus, barite acts as a weighing agent in liquids used for drilling oil and gas wells. The weight of the drilling mud suppresses high pressure from the gas and oil, and helps prevent blowouts. Copper - Blue Copper turns fireworks a dazzling blue. Like barium chloride, copper chloride is a metal salt. It was one of the first metals used by humans and played an important role in the de- velopment of civilization. Most copper today is used to generate and transmit power. Chile has the world’s largest reserves of copper and is also the largest producer; while Arizona and Utah produce the majority of copper in the U.S. o um w S di - Yello It’s not only an essential nutrient; sodium is also a vital component of Independence Day celebrations. Those bright yellow blasts are actually burning sodium nitrate. Sodium nitrate is a type of saltpeter, which is used to produce gunpowder. In recent years, sodium nitrate has been used to store thermal energy, since it can absorb a substantial amount of heat, then release it slowly. China ranks number one in global salt production, followed by the United States. St on iu Red r t m - Named for the Scottish village Strontian, strontium gives fireworks a deep red hue. Red fireworks burn a compound known as strontium nitrate, which turns a brilliant red. Strontium nitrate is a strontium salt; and the strontium’s source is usually the mineral celestite. In the U.S., strontium compounds have been used for pyrotechnics and signals. They’ve also been used in refrigerator magnets and small motors. Since 2006, most strontium minerals in the U.S. have been used in drilling fluids for gas and oil wells. Strontium minerals are mined in Spain, China, Mexico, Argentina, and Morocco. The U.S. has widely occurring deposits, but none have been mined domestically since 1959. n lden Iro - Go Sparkles It’s not just the colors which amaze us at fireworks shows on the Fourth, it’s the special effects too! Always a crowd favorite is the cascade of golden sparkles shower- ing down from the main explosion. Those little glittering sparks are made from iron fil- ings, the same kind you likely used in sci- ence class to demonstrate a magnetic field’s direction. As you can see, awe-inspiring holiday fireworks displays are made possible by minerals used every day of the year. As you enjoy your own Independence Day, remember to keep safe and leave the py- rotechnics to the professionals. %576 /2'%7)( %1( 63%5)6 3529-()( *25 );-67-1+ )48-30)17 ? 527%5< 7%&/)6 12: 352(8')( :-7, /%5+) 5-1+ +)%5 %1( 3-1-21 ))( !)3%-56 !27%5< 7%&/)6 = 8( 38036 = %.25 '20321)176 1-( 5-// "<67)06 1' $) 5 )( ' : / - ( < % ) ( - %7)( 72 7,) %7)5 :) / 1 8675 $ ,)67187 9) 1-( ,21) %; ::: )1-((5-// '20 1@ 25+ 7 2 7 * ) 5()5 <285 '23< 2* >#5%16*)5 2* #)',12/2+<? :5-77)1 &< 2,1 @ 632-5 38 JULY 2016 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®