The periodic table lists 118 known chemical elements that make up all matter on Earth and in the universe. With elements being used up in various applications, a natural question arises: can we run out of elements?
Quick Answer
The quick answer is no, we cannot run out of elements. While elements can become scarce, they cannot be completely used up. This is because elements are fundamental building blocks of matter that cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
Abundance of Elements
Most elements on Earth are very abundant. The crust of the Earth is made up of oxygen (46.6%), silicon (27.7%), aluminum (8.1%), iron (5%), calcium (3.6%), sodium (2.8%), potassium (2.6%) and magnesium (2.1%).
Elements like hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and sulfur are also found in large quantities in living matter, the atmosphere, oceans and Earth’s interior. So we have vast reservoirs of the elements most vital for life and industry.
Meanwhile, elements like gold, platinum and silver are rarer but still sufficiently available for wide use in jewelry, electronics and chemistry. There are also trace elements found in tiny amounts in rocks, minerals and organisms.
Distribution of Elements
Elements are not evenly distributed on Earth. Elements like oxygen, silicon, aluminum and iron are concentrated in the crust because they form rocks and minerals. Lighter elements like hydrogen and helium float up towards the atmosphere and space.
Elements are spread through the universe in the hot gas clouds between stars, planets, asteroids and comets. Supernova explosions of stars help scatter elements across space. So while elements may be limited on Earth, the rest of the cosmos contains unimaginably huge quantities.
Efficiency of Element Use
Some key elements like rare earth metals are not very abundant in concentrated deposits on Earth. So supplies could potentially run low. However, recycling and improving efficiency can reduce how much we need to extract further supplies from limited geological sources.
For example, rare earth metals used in electronics can be recovered and reused. Iron and aluminum are highly recyclable from scrap metal. With efficient recycling systems, we can reuse a lot of elements rather than extracting more.
Developing Substitutes
If any element were to become scarce, in many cases, scientists can develop substitute elements or technologies. This is already happening with scarce elements like helium which can be partially replaced with hydrogen in applications like balloons and blimps.
Engineers are also developing ways to substitute rare earth metals through innovative materials and design. So even if elements become less available, human ingenuity and adaptability can find solutions.
Nuclear Synthesis
In the far future, if elements on Earth ever did become depleted, there is also the possibility of nuclear synthesis. Through nuclear reactors, particle accelerators or fusion technologies, humans may be able to convert one element into another, like lead (Pb) into gold (Au).
But currently this can only be done on minute, experimental scales at high cost. Nuclear synthesis may one day provide an unlimited source of elements, but is not practical yet.
Cosmic Sources
Space contains vast amounts of elements. Asteroid mining may someday access platinum group metals and rare earth elements from space rocks. Helium-3 could be mined from the Moon for fusion energy.
Elements cooked up in supernovas and neutron star collisions across the galaxy dwarf Earth’s limited elemental budget. Space exploration could eventually tap into these cosmic supplies.
Conclusion
Elements cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. The 118 elements make up all matter in the universe and exist in almost limitless quantities across the cosmos.
While supplies of some elements on Earth may someday run low, we can improve recycling, substitute other elements or technologies, and possibly even tap into extraterrestrial sources. With human ingenuity, all the elements we rely on could be available indefinitely.
Abundance of Elements in Earth’s Crust
| Element | Abundance (ppm) |
|---|---|
| Oxygen | 461,000 |
| Silicon | 277,200 |
| Aluminum | 81,300 |
| Iron | 50,000 |
| Calcium | 36,300 |
| Sodium | 28,300 |
| Potassium | 25,900 |
| Magnesium | 20,900 |
| Hydrogen | 1,400 |
| Titanium | 5,660 |
This table shows the relative abundance of some of the most common elements in Earth’s continental crust, given in parts per million (ppm). Oxygen and silicon make up over 70% of the crust, while aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium and magnesium are also very abundant.
Abundance of Elements in the Human Body
| Element | Percent of Body Mass |
|---|---|
| Oxygen | 65% |
| Carbon | 18% |
| Hydrogen | 10% |
| Nitrogen | 3% |
| Calcium | 1.5% |
| Phosphorus | 1.0% |
| Potassium | 0.4% |
| Sulfur | 0.3% |
| Sodium | 0.2% |
| Chlorine | 0.2% |
This table shows the relative abundance of elements that make up the human body. Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen make up over 95% of the body’s mass, with most of the remainder consisting of calcium, phosphorus and other important biological elements.
Trace Elements in the Human Body
The human body also requires trace amounts of elements like iron, fluoride, zinc, silicon, rubidium, strontium and lead. These are found in quantities of less than 0.01% each.
Richest Sources of Elements on Earth
| Element | Richest Source |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | Bauxite ore |
| Carbon | Coal, oil, natural gas |
| Copper | Porphyry copper deposits |
| Gold | Witwatersrand gold deposits, South Africa |
| Helium | Natural gas deposits, air |
| Hydrogen | Water, hydrocarbons |
| Iron | Banded iron formations |
| Nitrogen | Air |
| Oxygen | Air, water |
| Silicon | Sand, quartz |
This table shows some of the richest natural sources of abundant elements found on Earth. Most remain in vast supply, but helium gas deposits are being depleted.
Richest Sources of Scarce Elements
More scarce elements have the following prime sources on Earth:
- Silver – Porphyry copper deposits
- Platinum – Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa
- Rare Earth Metals – Bayan Obo, China
- Lithium – Salar de Atacama, Chile
- Cobalt – Copper belts in Democratic Republic of Congo
- Tantalum – Tantalite ore, Australia
- Galium – Bauxite ore
Annual Global Production of Key Elements
| Element | Annual Production |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | 64 million tonnes |
| Cobalt | 176,000 tonnes |
| Copper | 20 million tonnes |
| Gallium | 320 tonnes |
| Gold | 3,200 tonnes |
| Iron Ore | 2.4 billion tonnes |
| Lithium | 77,000 tonnes |
| Platinum | 190 tonnes |
| Rare Earth Oxides | 210,000 tonnes |
| Silver | 27,000 tonnes |
This table shows current annual global production levels of some key elements. While limited on Earth, current reserves and production can still supply growing demand in most cases.
Recycling Rates of Metals
Recycling helps extend element supplies. End-of-life recycling rates for metals are:
- Iron and steel – 70-90% recycled
- Lead – 80% recycled
- Aluminum – 70% recycled
- Copper – 30-40% recycled
- Silver – 30% recycled
- Gold – 10-15% recycled
Higher recycling can reduce waste and the need for new mining. Designing more recyclable products is important.
Conclusion
Earth contains abundant reserves of almost all natural elements. Supplies of many elements can be extended through recycling, better production methods and substitutes. Elements cannot be created or destroyed, so while their distribution in specific deposits can change, humanity will not run out of needed elements any time soon.
With sustainable practices, elemental building blocks will continue supplying society’s needs far into the future. The quantities in Earth’s crust, oceans, atmosphere and biomass dwarf current demand. And the cosmos harbors vast elemental riches. Our elemental future is bright.