G7/8 Cycle A - 1: Geology: Chrome

Chromium metal is most widely recognized for its use in chromium plating (which is often referred to simply as 'chrome'), but its largest use is as an ingredient in stainless steels.

Chromium is mined in different countries around the world (such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Finland, India, Kazakihstan and the Philippines) as the naturally occurring form, chromate ore (FeCr2O4). Chromium is unstable in an oxygenated environment and, when exposed to air, immediately produces an oxide layer which is impermeable to further oxygen contamination.