Chromium Research Paper

While humans tend to worry about the endangered species in the world, it is often forgotten that animals aren't the only ones that can be endangered; elements can too. Elements can range from 1-10 on the relative supply risk scale (created by the Royal Society of Chemistry). The scale is based off of “the scores for crustal abundance, reserve distribution, production concentration, substitutability, recycling rate and political stability scores.” (Element) Take an average risk element for example: chromium. On the scale for relative risk supply it is a 6.2 and slowly increasing due to the fact that is commonly used in everyday life. Chromium is frequently used to reinforce steel to prevent it from rusting (stainless steel) and is also used as an industrial catalyst and pigment to create the extremely red glow in rubies. It is found in most abundance in chromite in countries such as India, South Africa, Kazakhstan and Turkey. Although it can be recycled the substitutability of this particular element is very low, being that you cannot replace it with ease.
It was also used at one point for chrome plated bumpers on cars. About 90% of all leather is tanned using chrome, however, the waste is toxic so alternatives to this process are being tested. Without this element our lives would be completely changed, which is exactly why it is the duty of the human race to protect it. Currently, scientists have discovered of only one way to recycle chromium. The process involves taking the two waste products that are produced when chromium is turned into stainless steel and melting them together to produce a metal that has the same properties as chromium but is not chromium itself. However, this process is expensive and is not used in many places. In fact, less than 30% of all chromium is recycled