Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Human Impact Human Population Pollution • Harmful materials entering the environment • Point source pollution – from a clearly identifiable source • Nonpoint pollution comes from many different sources. • Four main categories – industrial, residential, commercial, and environmental PART 2 – PROBLEMS Problems resulting from human impacts on the quality of our environment A. Aquatic Environment Issues –Water pollution, Ocean Dead Zones, Water Diversion, Overfishing (2015) B. Air Quality Issues – Acid rain, Air Pollution, Nuclear Pollution (2015) C. Climate Change Issues – Greenhouse Effect, Ozone Depletion (2015) D. Terrestrial Environment Issues – Desertification, Deforestation, Soil pollution, Waste Disposal, Mining (2016) E. Population Growth Issues – Habitat Destruction, Farming Practices, Fertilizers & Pesticides (2016) Sources of pollution • organic pollution – decomposition of living organisms and their bi-products • inorganic pollution – dissolved and suspended solids as silt, salts, and minerals • toxic pollution – heavy medals and other chemical compounds that are lethal to organisms • thermal pollution – waste heat from industrial and power generation processes • radiation pollution - radioactive materials Environmental Pollution • • • • • • • Air Pollution Water Pollution Soil Pollution Noise Pollution Radioactive Pollution Thermal Pollution Light Pollution Aquatic Environmental Issues (2015) • Water pollution • Eutrophication • Ocean Dead Zones • Thermal Pollution • Water Diversion • Overfishing Water Pollution Eutrophication Eutrophication – bodies of water becomes enriched with nutrients. This can be a problem in marine habitats such as lakes as it can cause algal blooms. • run-off from fertilizers, into nearby water causing an increase in nutrient levels. • It causes phytoplankton to grow and reproduce more rapidly, resulting in algal blooms. • This bloom of algae disrupts normal ecosystem functioning and causes many problems. • The algae may use up all the oxygen in the water, leaving none for other marine life. This results in the death of many aquatic organisms such as fish, which need the oxygen in the water to live. • The bloom of algae may also block sunlight from photosynthetic marine plants under the water surface. • Some algae even produce toxins that are harmful to higher forms of life. This can cause problems along the food chain and affect any animal that feeds on them. Ocean Dead Zones Eutrophication is magnified as rivers lead into larger rivers and eventually into the ocean – as the Mississippi River network. This leads to ocean dead zones. Spills or Dumping in Oceans Chemical spills and dumping of waste in the oceans or near coral reefs and ocean shelf areas causes major environmental problems. BP Oil Rig Explosion 2010 Thermal Pollution & Rising Ocean Temperatures • Change in the water temperatures of lakes, rivers, and oceans caused by made-man industries or practices • Water as coolant is warmed returned & to body of water • Ocean warming from climate changes Coral Bleaching Water Diversion Dams are a major factor in water diversion. Dams are built along rivers to produce reservoirs. This affects the ecology of the river and the surrounding environment including Habitat Loss, Habitat Fragmentation, and Loss of Biodiversity The Colorado River is a good example. Overfishing Fish catch has risen from 20 million tons/year to over 90 million tons / year World Fish Catch Air Quality Issues – 2015 •Acid rain •Air Pollution •Nuclear Pollution Acid Rain Air Pollution Nuclear Pollution • Nuclear pollution is pollution that is radioactive. • Fallout can lead to radiation sickness and death. • Nuclear fallout can destroy environmental features and animal life. Fukushima Daiichi Disaster -2011 Climate Change Issues • Greenhouse Effect - warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. • Ozone Depletion - ozone layer is deteriorating due to the release of pollution containing the chemicals chlorine and bromine (chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs) Greenhouse Effect Ozone Depletion Ozone Hole over Antartica Source: NASA Terrestrial Issues- 2016 • Desertification • Deforestation • Soil pollution • Waste Disposal • Mining Desertification • Desertification is an expansion of arid conditions into a non-arid environment. • Major causes of desertification include Overgrazing & poor grazing management Cultivation of marginal lands Destruction of vegetation in arid regions Incorrect irrigation practices leading to salinization Deforestation Deforestation – the permanent destruction of indigenous forests and woodlands. Causes include • Conversion of forests to agricultural land to feed people • Development of cash crops and cattle raising esp. in tropical countries • Commercial logging that is not regulated • Poor soils in humid tropics do not support agriculture for long so more clearing becomes necessary Soil Pollution Ways that soil can become polluted, such as: • Seepage from a landfill • Discharge of industrial waste into the soil • Percolation of contaminated water into the soil • Rupture of underground storage tanks • Excess application of pesticides, herbicides or fertilizer • Solid waste seepage Most common chemicals involved in causing soil pollution are: • Petroleum hydrocarbons • Heavy metals • Pesticides • Solvents Waste Disposal Waste, or rubbish, trash, junk, garbage is an unwanted or undesired material or substance. It may consist of the unwanted materials left over from a manufacturing process (industrial, commercial, mining or agricultural operations,) or from community and household activities. The material may be discarded or accumulated, stored, or treated (physically, chemically, or biologically), prior to being discarded or recycled. Mining - Environmental Risks Population Growth Issues –2016 • Urbanization • Habitat Destruction • Farming Practices • Fertilizers & Pesticides Human Population Growth Urbanization Concerns: oPublic Health oFood Supply oFreshwater oCoastlands and Oceans oForests oBiodiversity and Habitat Destruction oGlobal Climate Change Habitat Fragmentation & Destruction Habitat destruction and fragmentation is a process that describes the emergences of discontinuities (fragmentation) or the loss (destruction) of the environment inhabited by an organism. It results in 1. Loss of resident species 2. Loss of food sources 3. Loss of ecosystem functions provided by the habitat Biodiversity Threats • Habitat loss & Fragmentation • Invasive species • Pollution • Climate Change • Over exploitation • Human Populations Farming Practices Negative environmental impacts from unsustainable farming practices include: Land conversion & habitat loss Wasteful water consumption Soil erosion and degradation Pollution Climate change Genetic erosion Fertilizers and Pesticides Part 3 – Solutions A. Environmental Remediation Strategies B. Sustainability Strategies C. Nonrenewable vs. Renewable Energy Sources and Alternate Energy Sources D. Everyday Solutions as recycling and composting E. Legislation and Economic Opportunity for Solving Problems Tragedy of the Commons • Conflict between individual interest and the common good • When individuals use a public good, they do not bear the entire cost of their actions • Who takes responsibility for protecting the environment? Environmental Remediation Strategies • Environmental remediation is the removal of pollution or contaminants from the environment • Strategies and techniques include (coordinated by EPA) Site assessment and mapping Excavation and dredging Pump and treat Solidification and stabilization Oxidation Soil vapor extraction Bioremediation – using microbes to remove pollutants Sustainability Strategies Sustainability - biological systems enduring and remaining diverse and productive Strategies include Minimize energy consumption & using alternate energy Minimize water consumption Minimize negative environmental impacts Minimize waste generation and recycling Develop eco-friendly products and processes Strategies for a Sustainable World • advancing technologies to reduce waste • increasing recycling and reuse • creating even safer treatment and disposal options • developing sources of renewable energy • sharing the benefits of our learning and innovation Nonrenewable vs. Renewable Energy Sources • Non-renewable energy sources – fossil fuels as coal, oil and natural gas as well as nuclear fuels – limited supply will run out and have negative environmental impacts • Renewable energy sources – sun, wind, waves, heat, hydropower and biomass that can be used again and again and is cleanest energy sources. • There are pros and cons for each type of energy Alternate Energy Sources Alternate to Fossil Fuels – produced and recovered without negative effects on the environment as • Solar • Wind power • Geothermal • Tides and waves • Biomass • Fuel cells Everyday Solutions • Conserve • Increase Efficiency • Recycle Composting Benefits of Composting • Soil Conditioner – create rich humus • Recycles kitchen and yard waste • Introduces beneficial organisms in the soil • Good for the environment as a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers • Reduces landfill waste Economic Opportunity • Support careers in Environmental Remediation • Development of Environmentally Safe Products and Processes which are economically sound. • Encourage Economic Growth that is environmentally beneficial