by Antonio Valero Capilla (University of Zaragoza, Spain) & Alicia Valero Delgado (University of Zaragoza, Spain)

This book presents a comprehensive examination of the physical stock and degradation velocity of the Earth's mineral resources. The Earth's mineral resources are analyzed through a revolutionary and novel approach — the exergy approach, which accounts for all physical features of the resources. The largest database of thermodynamic properties of natural substances is compiled in this book to facilitate this analysis. Furthermore, for the first time, the depletion degree of the natural capital and the year where the peak of production is reached is assessed. The world's historical statistics (mostly since the beginning of the 20th century), describing the consumption of the most important mineral resources is also presented.

• The Earth and Its Resources:
  • The Geochemistry of the Earth, Known Facts
  • The Mineralogical Composition of the Earth's Continental Crust
  • The Resources of the Earth
• The Thermodynamic Properties of the Earth and Its Exergy Evolution:
  • The Thermodynamic Properties of the Earth and Its Mineral Resources
  • The Time Factor in the Exergy Assessment of Mineral Resources
  • The Exergy Evolution of Planet Earth
  • Final Reflections