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{{Infobox aluminium}}
'''Aluminum''' (in [[British English]]: '''Aluminium''') is a [[chemical element]]. The [[symbol]] for aluminum is '''Al''', and its [[atomic number]] is 13. aluminum is the most abundant [[metal]]. It is a [[mononuclidic element]].

==History==
People have tried to produce aluminum since 1760. The first successful attempt, finished in 1824 by Danish physicist and chemist Hans Christian Ørsted. He reacted anhydrous aluminum chloride with potassium amalgam, yielding a lump of metal looking similar to [[tin]]. He presented his results and showed a sample of the new metal in 1825.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ck9jBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA30|title=The Lost Elements: The Periodic Table's Shadow Side|last1=Fontani|first1=Marco|last2=Costa|first2=Mariagrazia|last3=Orna|first3=Mary Virginia|date=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-938334-4|language=en}}</ref> In 1827, German chemist Friedrich Wöhler repeated Ørsted's experiments but did not identify any aluminum.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Venetski|first=S.|date=July 1969|title=?Silver? from clay|url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/BF00741130|journal=Metallurgist|language=en|volume=13|issue=7|pages=451–453|doi=10.1007/BF00741130|s2cid=137541986|issn=0026-0894}}</ref> (The reason for this inconsistency was only discovered in 1921.) He conducted a similar experiment in the same year by mixing anhydrous aluminum chloride with potassium and produced a powder of aluminum.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=1854|title=Ueber das Aluminium|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ardp.18541300315|journal=Archiv der Pharmazie|volume=130|issue=3|pages=291–292|doi=10.1002/ardp.18541300315|s2cid=221422959|issn=0365-6233}}</ref> In 1845, he was able to produce small pieces of the metal and described some physical properties of this metal. For many years thereafter, Wöhler was credited as the person who discovered aluminum.

==Properties==
Aluminum is a very good [[Electrical conductor|conductor]] of [[electricity]] and [[heat]]. It is light and strong. It can be hammered into [[sheet]]s ([[malleable]]) or pulled out into [[wire]]s ([[ductile]]). It is a highly [[reactivity (chemical)|reactive]] metal, although it is [[corrosion]] resistant.

A fresh film of aluminum is a good reflector of visible light and an excellent reflector of medium and far [[Infrared|infrared radiation]].

Aluminum prevents corrosion by forming a small, thin [[layer]] of [[aluminium oxide|aluminum oxide]] on its [[surface]]. This layer protects the metal by preventing oxygen from reaching it. Corrosion can not occur without oxygen. Because of this thin layer, the reactivity of aluminum is not seen. As a powder it burns hot. Uses include [[fireworks display]]<nowiki/>s and [[rocket fuel]].

== Occurrence and preparation ==
Pure aluminum is made from [[bauxite]], a kind of [[Rock (geology)|rock]] that has [[aluminium oxide|aluminum oxide]] and many [[impurity|impurities]]. The bauxite is crushed and reacted with [[sodium hydroxide]]. The aluminum oxide dissolves. Then the aluminum oxide is dissolved in liquid [[cryolite]]. Natural cryolite is a rare [[mineral]], so most is produced artificially. The aluminum oxide is [[electrolysis|electrolyzed]] with carbon to make aluminum and [[carbon dioxide]]. The largest producer of aluminum is [[China]]. China produces about 31,873 thousand tonnes of aluminum.

Aluminum was once considered a [[precious metal]] that was even more valuable than [[gold]]{{Verify source}}. This is no longer true because new ways of [[smelting]] it are cheaper and easier.

=== In space ===
Aluminum is the 12th most abundant of all elements. It is the 3rd most abundant among the elements that have odd atomic numbers.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://solarsystem.wustl.edu/wp-content/uploads/reprints/2003/Lodders%202003%20ApJ%20Elemental%20abundances.pdf|title=Solar System abundances and condensation temperatures of the elements|journal=The Astrophysical Journal. Part 1|publisher=Lodders, K|year=2003|bibcode=2003ApJ...591.1220L |issn=0004-637X|last1=Lodders |first1=Katharina |volume=591 |issue=2 |page=1220 |doi=10.1086/375492 |s2cid=42498829 }}</ref> The only stable isotope of aluminum is aluminum-27. It is the 18th most abundant [[Atomic nucleus|nucleus]] in the [[Universe]]. It is created after fusion of carbon in massive stars that will later become Type II [[supernova]]e: this fusion creates magnesium-26, which, when capturing free protons and neutrons becomes aluminum. Essentially all aluminum now in existence is aluminum-27; [[aluminium-26|aluminum-26]] was there in the early Solar System but is now extinct. The trace quantities of aluminum-26 that do exist are the most common [[gamma ray]] emitter in the [[interstellar gas]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fXcdHyLUVnEC|title=Handbook of Isotopes in the Cosmos: Hydrogen to Gallium|last=Clayton|first=Donald|date=2003|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-53083-5|language=en}}</ref>

===On Earth===
Overall, the [[Earth]] is about 1.59% aluminum by mass.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-09-28|title=THE COMPOSITION OF THE EARTH|author=William F McDonough |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110928074153/http://quake.mit.edu/hilstgroup/CoreMantle/EarthCompo.pdf|url=http://quake.mit.edu/hilstgroup/CoreMantle/EarthCompo.pdf |access-date=2020-08-28 |website=MIT.edu|archive-date=2011-09-28}}</ref> In the [[Earth's crust]], aluminum is the most abundant metallic element by mass (8.23%). It is also the third most abundant of all elements in the Earth's crust. A lot of [[silicate]]s in the Earth's crust contain aluminum.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QwNPDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA1049|title=The Chemistry of Aluminium, Gallium, Indium and Thallium: Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry|last=|first=|publisher=Wade, K.; Banister, A.J.|year=2016|isbn=978-1-4831-5322-3|location=|pages=}}</ref> But, the [[Earth's mantle]] is only 2.38% aluminum by mass. aluminum also occurs in seawater at a concentration of 2 μg/kg.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.geol.umd.edu/~mcdonoug/KITP%20Website%20for%20Bill/papers/Earth_Models/3.1%20Palme%20&%20O'Neill%20Primative%20mantle%20(1).pdf|title=Cosmochemical Estimates of Mantle Composition|last=|first=|publisher=Palme, H.; O'Neill, Hugh St. C.|year=2005|isbn=|location=|pages=}}</ref>

[[Feldspar]]s, the most common group of minerals in the Earth's crust, are [[aluminosilicate]]s. aluminum also occurs in the minerals [[beryl]], [[cryolite]], [[garnet]], [[spinel]], and [[turquoise]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v-04Kn758yIC&pg=PA17|title=Chemistry of Aluminium, Gallium, Indium and Thallium|last=Downs|first=A. J.|date=1993-05-31|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-0-7514-0103-5|language=en}}</ref> Native aluminum has been reported in [[cold seep]]s in the northeastern continental slope of the [[South China Sea]].

== Compounds ==
aluminum forms [[chemical compound]]s in the +3 [[oxidation state]]. They are generally unreactive. [[aluminium chloride|aluminum chloride]] and [[aluminium oxide|aluminum oxide]] examples. Very rarely are compounds in the +1 or +2 oxidation state.

== Uses ==
Many things are made of aluminum. Much of it is used in overhead [[power line]]s. It is also widely used in [[window]] frames and [[aircraft]] bodies. It is found at home as [[kitchenware]], [[soft drink]] cans, and [[cooking foil]]. aluminum is also used to coat [[car]] [[headlamp]]s and [[compact disc]]s. It is used in electrical transmission lines because of its light weight. It can be [[Deposition (aerosol physics)|deposited]] on the surface of glass to make [[mirror]]s, where a thin layer of [[aluminium oxide|aluminum oxide]] quickly forms that acts as a protective coating. aluminum oxide is also used to make synthetic [[Ruby|rubies]] and [[sapphire]]s for [[laser]]s. aluminum can now be produced from clay, but the process is not economically feasible at today.

Pure aluminum is very soft, so a harder metal is almost always added. The harder metal is usually [[copper]]. Copper/aluminum [[alloy]]s are to make [[ship]]s, because the aluminum prevents corrosion, and the copper prevents [[barnacle]]s.

aluminum compounds are used in [[deodorant]]s, water processing plants, [[food additive]]s, and [[antacid]]s. [[Lithium aluminium hydride|Lithium aluminum hydride]] is a strong [[reducing agent]] used in [[organic chemistry]].

[[Aluminium sulfate|aluminum sulfate]] is used in [[water treatment]]. It is also used as a [[mordant]] in dyeing, in [[pickling]] seeds, deodorizing of [[mineral oil]]s, in leather tanning, and in production of other aluminum compounds.

[[Aluminium chloride|Anhydrous aluminum chloride]] is used as a [[Catalysis|catalyst]] in chemical and petrochemical industries, the dyeing industry, and in synthesis of many [[Inorganic compound|inorganic]] and [[organic compound]]s.

aluminum hydroxychlorides are used in purifying water, in the [[paper]] industry, and as antiperspirants. Sodium aluminate is used in treating water and as an accelerator for drying of [[cement]].

[[aluminium acetate|aluminum acetate]] in solution is used as an [[astringent]].

aluminum phosphate is used to make [[glass]], [[ceramic]], pulp and paper products, cosmetics, paints, [[varnish]]es. [[aluminium hydroxide|aluminum hydroxide]] is used as an [[antacid]], and mordant. It is used also in water purification, the manufacture of glass and ceramics, and in the [[waterproofing]] of [[Textile|fabrics]].

aluminum is used in [[Car|automobiles]], [[truck]]s, [[Train|railway cars]], marine vessels, [[bicycle]]s, [[spacecraft]]. aluminum is used in making [[door]]s, siding, building wire, sheathing, roofing and other building materials.

== Recycling ==
Since aluminum needs to be made by [[electrolysis]], it requires a very large amount of electrical power. Recycling aluminum would be much cheaper. That's why recycling plants were opened. The cost of recycling aluminum is much less than the cost of making it from [[bauxite]].

Recycling involves melting the scrap. This is a process that only needs 5% of the energy used to produce Aluminum from ore. But, 15% of the input material part is lost as dross (ash-like oxide).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Benefits of Recycling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030624162738/http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/recycling/awareness/facts/benefits.htm|url=http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/recycling/awareness/facts/benefits.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-06-24|website=Ohio Department of Natural Resources}}</ref> An aluminum stack melter makes a lot less dross, about 1%.<ref>{{Cite web
|title=Theoretical/Best Practice Energy Use in Metalcasting Operations
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031072356/http://www.afsinc.org/files/best%20practice%20energy-schifo-radia-may%202004.pdf
|url=http://www.afsinc.org/files/best%20practice%20energy-schifo-radia-may%202004.pdf
|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-10-31|access-date=|website=}}</ref>

White dross from primary aluminum production and from secondary recycling processes still contains useful amounts of aluminum that can be extracted industrially. The process produces aluminum billets, together with a very complex [[waste]]. This waste is difficult to manage. It reacts with water, releasing a mixture of gases (including, hydrogen, acetylene, and ammonia), which ignites on contact with air.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why are dross & saltcake a concern?|url=http://www.experts123.com/q/why-are-dross-saltcake-a-concern.html|access-date=2020-08-28|website=Experts123|language=en-US}}</ref> Even with these difficulties, the waste is used as a filler in [[asphalt]] and concrete.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.wrap.org.uk/downloads/BRE_Added_value_study_report.4ca28919.1753.pdf|title=Added value of using new industrial waste streams as secondary aggregates in both concrete and asphalt|last=|first=|publisher=Dunster, A.M.|year=2005|isbn=|location=|pages=|access-date=2020-08-28|archive-date=2010-04-02|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100402111522/http://www.wrap.org.uk/downloads/BRE_Added_value_study_report.4ca28919.1753.pdf|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

==Toxicity==
Aluminum is not used in the human body, although it is very common. People debate whether its use in deodorants and water treatment is healthy. Aluminum ions slow down plant growth in [[acid]]ic soils. Aluminum may be a factor in [[Alzheimer's disease]] (a disease when the brain stops working and the patient is confused).<ref name="Ferreira2008">{{cite journal |doi=10.1590/S0104-11692008000100023 |author=Ferreira PC|author2=Piai Kde A|author3=Takayanagui AM|author4=Segura-Muñoz SI |title=Aluminum as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease |journal=Rev Lat Am Enfermagem |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=151–7 |year=2008 |pmid=18392545 |url=http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-11692008000100023&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en| issn = 0104-1169}}</ref><ref name="paquid">{{cite journal|doi=10.1093/aje/kwn348|title=Aluminum and Silica in Drinking Water and the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease or Cognitive Decline: Findings From 15-Year Follow-up of the PAQUID Cohort|year=2008|last1=Rondeau|first1=V.|last2=Jacqmin-Gadda|first2=H.|last3=Commenges|first3=D.|last4=Helmer|first4=C.|last5=Dartigues|first5=J.-F.|journal=American Journal of Epidemiology|volume=169|pages=489–96|pmid=19064650|issue=4|pmc=2809081}}</ref> But the [[Alzheimer's Society]] says overwhelming medical and scientific opinion is that studies have not convincingly demonstrated a causal relationship between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease.<ref name="alzheimersSociety">[http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=99 Aluminium and Alzheimer's disease], The Alzheimer's Society. Retrieved 30 January 2009.</ref>

In most people, aluminum is not as toxic as heavy metals. Aluminum is classified as a non-carcinogen by United States Department of Health and Human Services. There is little proof that normal exposure to aluminum is a risk to healthy adult. There is proof of no toxicity if it is taken in amounts not greater than 40&nbsp;mg/day per kg of body mass.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wRnOytsi8boC&pg=PA90|title=Physiology of Aluminum in Man|publisher=CRC Press|year=1998|isbn=0-8247-8026-4|location=|pages=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519101650/https://books.google.com/books?id=wRnOytsi8boC&pg=PA90|archive-date=2016-05-19|last1=Gitelman|first1=H. J.}}</ref> Most aluminum taken will leave the body in [[feces]]. Most of the small part that enters the [[blood]], will be [[Excretion|excreted]] via [[urine]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=ATSDR – Public Health Statement: Aluminum|url=https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=1076&tid=34|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref>

aluminum rarely causes vitamin D-resistant osteomalacia, erythropoietin-resistant microcytic anemia, and central nervous system changes. People with kidney insufficiency are at a risk the most. Chronic ingestion of hydrated aluminum silicates may result in aluminum binding to the things in the intestines. It also increases the removal of other metals, like [[iron]] or [[zinc]]. Really high doses (>50 g/day) can cause [[anemia]].

A small percentage of people have contact [[Allergy|allergies]] to aluminum and experience itchy red rashes, [[headache]], muscle pain, joint pain, poor memory, [[insomnia]], [[Depression (mental illness)|depression]], [[asthma]], [[Irratable bowel syndrome|irritable bowel syndrome]], or other symptoms when touching products containing aluminum.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-09-20|title=Aluminum Allergy Symptoms and Diagnosis|url=https://allergy-symptoms.org/aluminum-allergy/|access-date=2020-08-28|website=Allergy Symptoms|language=en-US}}</ref>

Exposure to powdered aluminum or aluminum welding fumes can cause [[pulmonary fibrosis]]. Fine aluminum powder can also explode.

==Ways of exposure==
Food is the main source of aluminum. [[Drinking water]] has more aluminum than solid foods.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Yokel|first1=Robert A.|last2=Hicks|first2=Clair L.|last3=Florence|first3=Rebecca L.|date=June 2008|title=Aluminum bioavailability from basic sodium aluminum phosphate, an approved food additive emulsifying agent, incorporated in cheese|journal=Food and Chemical Toxicology : An International Journal Published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association|volume=46|issue=6|pages=2261–2266|doi=10.1016/j.fct.2008.03.004|issn=0278-6915|pmc=2449821|pmid=18436363}}</ref> aluminum in food may be absorbed more than aluminum from water. Major sources of human exposure by mouth to aluminum include food (because of its use in [[food additive]]s, food and beverage packaging, and cooking utensils), drinking water (because of its use in [[water treatment]]), and medicines that have aluminum in it.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/832737188|title=Toxicological profile for aluminum.|last=United States. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, issuing body.|oclc=832737188}}</ref> Very high exposure of aluminum are mostly limited to miners, aluminum production workers, and dialysis patients.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Aluminum|url=https://enviroliteracy.org/special-features/its-element-ary/aluminum/|access-date=2020-08-28|website=The Environmental Literacy Council|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027112722/https://enviroliteracy.org/special-features/its-element-ary/aluminum/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Taking of [[antacid]]s, antiperspirants, [[vaccine]]s, and cosmetics give possible ways of [[Exposure (toxicology)|exposure]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1031466049|title=Metal allergy : from dermatitis to implant and device failure|date=13 April 2018|publisher=Springer |editor=Chen, Jennifer K. |editor2=Thyssen, Jacob P.|isbn=978-3-319-58503-1|oclc=1031466049}}</ref> Eating acidic foods or liquids with aluminum increases Aluminum absorption. Maltol has been shown to increase the build up of aluminum in nerve and bone tissues.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=van Ginkel|first1=M. F.|last2=van der Voet|first2=G. B.|last3=D'Haese|first3=P. C.|last4=De Broe|first4=M. E.|last5=de Wolff|first5=F. A.|date=March 1993|title=Effect of citric acid and maltol on the accumulation of aluminium in rat brain and bone|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8445293|journal=The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine|volume=121|issue=3|pages=453–460|issn=0022-2143|pmid=8445293}}</ref>

==Treatment==
In case of suspected sudden consumption of a large amount of aluminum, the only treatment is [[deferoxamine mesylate]]. It may be given to help remove aluminum from the body by [[chelation]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=ARL: Aluminium Toxicity|url=http://www.arltma.com/Articles/AlumToxDoc.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831154809/http://www.arltma.com/Articles/AlumToxDoc.htm|archive-date=2019-08-31|access-date=|website=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Aluminium Toxicity|url=http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=164929|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Wayback Machine}}</ref> This should be applied with caution as it not only remove aluminum in the body, but also other [[metal]]s such as [[copper]] or [[iron]].<ref name=":0" />

==Environmental effects==
High levels of aluminum occur near mining sites. Small amounts of aluminum are released to the environment at the coal-fired power plants or incinerators. aluminum in the air is washed out by the rain or normally settles down. But, small particles of aluminum remain in the air for a long time.<ref name=":1" />

[[Acid rain]] is the main natural factor to move aluminum from natural sources. It is also the main reason for the effects of aluminum on the environment.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last1=Rosseland|first1=B. O.|last2=Eldhuset|first2=T. D.|last3=Staurnes|first3=M.|date=March 1990|title=Environmental effects of aluminium|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24202562|journal=Environmental Geochemistry and Health|volume=12|issue=1–2|pages=17–27|doi=10.1007/BF01734045|issn=0269-4042|pmid=24202562|s2cid=23714684}}</ref> The main factor for the presence of aluminum in [[Salt water|salt]] and [[Fresh water|freshwater]] are the industrial processes that also release aluminum into [[air]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Dolara|first=Piero|date=December 2014|title=Occurrence, exposure, effects, recommended intake and possible dietary use of selected trace compounds (aluminium, bismuth, cobalt, gold, lithium, nickel, silver)|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25045935|journal=International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition|volume=65|issue=8|pages=911–924|doi=10.3109/09637486.2014.937801|issn=1465-3478|pmid=25045935|s2cid=43779869}}</ref>

In [[water]], aluminum acts as a toxiс agent on animals that with [[gill]]s like [[fish]] by causing loss of [[Cell membrane|plasma]]- and [[Haemolymph|hemolymph]] ions leading to [[Osmoregulation|osmoregulatory]] failure.<ref name=":2" />

Aluminum is one of the primary factors that reduce the growth of plants on acidic soils. In acid soils the concentration of toxic Al<sup>3+</sup> [[cation]]s increases and disturbs the growth and function of the [[root]]. It is generally harmless to plant growth in pH-neutral soils.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Pereira|first1=Luciane Belmonte|last2=Tabaldi|first2=Luciane Almeri|last3=Gonçalves|first3=Jamile Fabbrin|last4=Jucoski|first4=Gládis Oliveira|last5=Pauletto|first5=Mareni Maria|last6=Weis|first6=Simone Nardin|last7=Nicoloso|first7=Fernando Teixeira|last8=Borher|first8=Denise|last9=Rocha|first9=João Batista Teixeira|date=August 2006|title=Effect of aluminium on δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) and the development of cucumber (Cucumis sativus)|url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0098847205000717|journal=Environmental and Experimental Botany|language=en|volume=57|issue=1–2|pages=106–115|doi=10.1016/j.envexpbot.2005.05.004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00279487|title=Toxicity and tolerance of aluminium in vascular plants|publisher=Andersson, Maud|year=1988|pages=439–462|doi=10.1007/BF00279487|last1=Andersson|first1=Maud|journal=Water, Air, and Soil Pollution|volume=39|issue=3–4|bibcode=1988WASP...39..439A |s2cid=82896081}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Horst|first=Walter J.|date=1995|title=The role of the apoplast in aluminium toxicity and resistance of higher plants: A review|url=http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/jpln.19951580503|journal=Zeitschrift für Pflanzenernährung und Bodenkunde|language=de|volume=158|issue=5|pages=419–428|doi=10.1002/jpln.19951580503}}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Ma|first1=Jian Feng|last2=Ryan|first2=Peter R|last3=Delhaize|first3=Emmanuel|date=June 2001|title=Aluminium tolerance in plants and the complexing role of organic acids|url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1360138501019616|journal=Trends in Plant Science|language=en|volume=6|issue=6|pages=273–278|doi=10.1016/S1360-1385(01)01961-6|pmid=11378470}}</ref> Wheat has developed a tolerance to aluminum. It releases [[organic compound]]s that bind to harmful aluminum cations. [[Sorghum]] is thought to have the same method of tolerating aluminum.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Magalhaes|first1=Jurandir V.|last2=Garvin|first2=David F.|last3=Wang|first3=Yihong|last4=Sorrells|first4=Mark E.|last5=Klein|first5=Patricia E.|last6=Schaffert|first6=Robert E.|last7=Li|first7=Li|last8=Kochian|first8=Leon V.|date=August 2004|title=Comparative Mapping of a Major Aluminium Tolerance Gene in Sorghum and Other Species in the Poaceae|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1534/genetics.103.023580|journal=Genetics|volume=167|issue=4|pages=1905–1914|doi=10.1534/genetics.103.023580|pmid=15342528|pmc=1471010|issn=0016-6731}}</ref>

Aluminum production has its own problems to the environment on each step of the production process. The major problem is the [[greenhouse gas]]. These gases are caused by the electrical consumption of the smelters and the byproducts of processing. The strongest of these gases are perfluorocarbons from the smelting process.<ref name=":3" />

A Spanish scientific report from 2001 claimed that the fungus ''[[Geotrichum candidum]]'' eats the aluminum in [[compact disc]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bosch|first=Xavier|date=2001-06-27|title=Fungus eats CD|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/news010628-11|journal=Nature|language=en|doi=10.1038/news010628-11|issn=1476-4687}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2001-06-22|title=Fungus 'eats' CDs|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1402533.stm|access-date=2020-08-28}}</ref> The better studied bacterium ''[[Pseudomonas aeruginosa]]'' and the fungus ''[[Cladosporium resinae]]'' are commonly found in aircraft fuel tanks that use kerosene-based fuels, and laboratory cultures can [[Decomposition|decompose]] aluminum.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Studies on the 'Kerosene Fungus' Cladosporium Resinae (Lindau) De Vries — Part I. The Problem of Microbial Contamination of Aviation Fuels {{!}} NZETC|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Bio19Tuat01-t1-body-d4.html|access-date=2020-08-28|website=nzetc.victoria.ac.nz}}</ref> However, these types of bacteria do not eat the aluminum; but rather, the metal is [[Corrosion|corroded]] by [[Microorganism|microbe]] [[waste]] products.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-02-25|title=Aircraft Fuel System Contamination & Starvation {{!}} Intelligence|url=http://www.duncanaviation.aero/intelligence/201102/fuel_starvation_system_contamination.php|access-date=2020-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225051128/http://www.duncanaviation.aero/intelligence/201102/fuel_starvation_system_contamination.php|archive-date=2015-02-25}}</ref>

==Gallery==
[[File:Aluminium-trichloride-hexahydrate-white-and-yellow.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Pure (white) and impure (yellow) forms of aluminum chloride]]
[[File:President Lula visit to Aluminum factory.jpg|left|thumb|A roll of aluminum]]
[[File:Bauxite.jpg|thumb|left|Bauxite, aluminum ore]]
[[File:Pressed-cans.jpg|thumb|left|Aluminum cans ready for recycling at Central European Waste Management's plant in Europe]]
{{Commons}}

== Related pages ==
* [[List of common elements]]
* [[Periodic table]]

== References ==
<references/>

== Other websites ==
* [http://www.alu-scout.com/perl/lp.pl?SESID=1340813jzxcv565688&file=index.htm&lang=en Alu-Scout] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026185927/http://www.alu-scout.com/perl/lp.pl?SESID=1340813jzxcv565688&file=index.htm&lang=en |date=2006-10-26 }}
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{{Periodic Table}}
{{Aluminium compounds}}

[[Category:Aluminium| ]]