Environmental Studies Air, land & water pollution Pollution - Undesirable change in physical, chemical or biological characteristics of air,

, land or water
- Can harm/threaten survival of organisms:
-direct: physical contact/harm -indirectly: change in environmental characteristics

Pollutant substance released into environment causing any factors above Clean Air:
- oxygen 21% - nitrogen 78% - carbon dioxide 0,04% - other < 1%

AIR POLLUTION CAUSES

Natural : natural disasters (emit dust
& gas into atmosphere)

LAND POLLUTION
Uncontrolled dumping of solid waste Overuse of fertilisers Overuse of pesticides Uncontrolled dumping of solid waste
Releases toxins into earth, killing organisms in soil

WATER POLLUTION
Sewage Industrial Waster Detergents Sewage
Increase nutrients if gets into waters causing algal bloom which blocks out sunlight. -Underwater plants die & herbivores that eat the plants therefore die -reproduction of water creatures is affected

Human-made: toxic emissions (from

factories, motor traffic, power & thermal plants, mining industries, brick kilns, etc)

IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT

Increased Temperature:
-increases greenhouse effect which increases global warming which leads to climate change which kills species.

Overuse of fertilisers
Nutrients get into waters -algal bloom which blocks out sunlight. -Underwater plants die & herbivores that eat the plants therefore die -reproduction of water creatures is affected

Acid Rain:
-nitrogen oxide & sulphur dioxide dissolve into atmospheric moisture. -kills plants as damages roots & causes leaves to drop

Oil Spills
Poisons & clogs bird, fish & animals. Also kills phytoplankton

Ozone Depletion:
-CFCs destroy ozone layer which reduces amount of harmful ultra-violet radiation that reaches the earth. -increases skin cancer & mutations

Overuse of pesticides
Contaminate food crops & store in bodies of animals, killing organisms later in the food chain

Industrial waste
Causes build up of metals in soil & water

Fertilisers
Nutrients cause algal bloom

IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH

-Irritation of eyes, nose & skin -Irritation of mucous membrane lining of air passages -lung problems -blood disorders -nervous disorders -disease of reproductive system

-Exposure to arsenic -Cadmium exposure (from mines, chemical & electro plants) damage proximal tubules of kidneys causing kidney stones. -Cyanide from heat treatment causes death -Lead causes mental retardation -Mercury causes brain & kidney damage (glomerulus & tubules)

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

-Conservation of plants
(reduce carbon dioxide levels)

-Recycle
(make products from materials that have been used before)

-Controlling lighting of fires

(fires release carbon dioxide)

-Reuse
(use item for same purpose more than once)

-Reduce use of wood & coal

(fuels add to pollution & is used to produce electricity)

-Bacteria in sewage can cause cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, dysentery -Arsenic & Cyanide from pesticides cause problems & death -Selenium from pesticides is carcinogenic -Sulphates from industrial waste causes death -Toluene from solvents -Chromium from waster is carcinogenic -Mercury from pesticides causes brain damage -Prevent soap from entering a water source -Do not throw rubbish into water -Monitor dumping from industries
(hire more people, increase fines for breaking regulations & safety precautions)

-Reduce
(avoid buying items that have unnecessary packaging)

-Using unleaded petrol

(lead is poisonous) -Educate people (importance of environment & how to reduce pollution)

-Monitor dumping from industries

(hire more people, increase fines for breaking regulations & safety precautions)

-Do not pee near a water source -Use clean containers to collect water -Education people
(importance of environment & how to reduce pollution)

-Reduce use of pesticides

(use biological control or organic pesticides)

-Monitor dumping from industries

(hire more people, increase fines for breaking regulations & safety precautions)

-Education people
(importance of environment & how to reduce pollution)

-Reduce use of pesticides

(use biological control or organic pesticides)

OZONE Ozone Ozone Layer

molecule containing 3 oxygen atoms thin layer of ozone in upper atmosphere surrounding earth acting as a protective shield keeping out dangerous ultraviolet radiation from the sun

Causes Effects

OZONE DEPLETION (layer is thinning & holes created) Use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Found in refrigerators/aerosols & are now illegal in many countries

Ways of reducing depletion

Success in reduction methods

More ultraviolet light from sun is allowed into atmosphere of earth This causes skin cancer This causes global warming due to massive increase of greenhouse gases collecting in atmosphere. Radiation is trapped within the earth. This causes climate change. Changes ecosystems of species, leading to change in life cycles & food chains Monitoring elimination of CFCs & investigating new products without them National monitoring of skin cancer Increased public awareness & education on ozone depletion Montreal Protocol aim to phase out products with CFCs in 160 nations (1989) Scientists reckon this could reverse process & restore ozone layer one day

Greenhouse effect & Global warming:

-

Earths atmosphere allows short wavelengths of sunlight (with lots of energy) to pass through it This is reflected against earths surface, giving off some heat, and reflecting rest into atmosphere Some energy escapes back into space Most energy is absorbed by greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere
Greenhouse gases (53% carbon dioxide, 17% methane, 13% ozone, 12% CFC, 5% nitrous oxide)

These gases reradiate the heat in all directions As a result, less heat is lost to space & earth stays warm Without these gases, the earth would be too cold to sustain life & experience an ice age Problem is that too much of these gases are produced Enhance Greenhouse Effect This causes an increase in average temperature of atmosphere Global Warming Global Warming is probably the cause for climate change Melting of polar Ice Caps
Due to increased temp, ice caps at poles will melt. This will lead to sea level rise.

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

Coastal Flooding
Rise in sea levels will cause low-lying areas to be flooded

Climate Change
Some areas will become drier & less fertile. More possibility of natural disaster due to climate change. Could contribute to rainstorms & flooding

Reduced Crop Production

Some crops do not grow well due to high carbon dioxide in air, but many weeds flourish. Availability for land will decrease due to flooding. This will lead to soil erosion, and loss of fertility due to high temperatures.

Reduced Biodiversity
Animals will need to migrate due to change in temperatures. This will change the biodiversity in areas. Species not able to move will be killed

WAYS TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING

Reduce Use of fossil Fuels

Decrease production of carbon dioxide.

Use Nuclear Energy

Reduces use of fossil fuels. Radiation waste still causes a problem.

Reduce Deforestation
Trees decrease carbon dioxide levels by photosynthesis

Reduce Global Greenhouse Emissions

This was the principle of the Kyoto Protocol

Carbon Footprint: Amount of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere by human activities. It can be heavy or light. Kyoto Protocol: Agreement to reduce greenhouse gases that cause climate change. 170 countries. Developing (Non-Annex I) &
Developed (Annex I) countries have different amounts of allowed release. US has not agreed to amount.

CAUSES

EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT

DEFORESTATION Forests are chopped down for: -furniture, buildings, mining, paper industries -provide land for roads, mining & farming Global Warming
Less trees means more carbon dioxide emissions, which contributes to global warming.

Landslides & Flooding

This speeds up soil erosion, which increases risk of landslides during rain. Trees form a canopy which allows large distribution of water & allows vegetation to soak up water when it rains. This increases risk of flood when trees are removed.

Soil nutrient depletion & desertification

Forests are wet & humid. Removal of trees causes the area to become drier due to loss of vegetation. Risk of deforestation is increased. This causes wind & water erosion, which depletes nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorous) in the soil. This makes it less fertile & less able for agriculture.

Reducing oxygen production

Oxygen is produced & carbon dioxide is absorbed during photosynthesis.

EFFECTS ON PRODUCERS, CONSUMERS, & FOOD WEBS

Destroys the habitat of many organisms. Organisms will try to move or will die. If organisms move to other areas, resources in that area become depleted & competition to be created. Organisms will die out to restore balance. Erosion of soil, due to desertification, causes organisms in soil to die. Removal of vegetation, allows for no decomposing & therefore no chance for forest regeneration. This causes a problem for agriculture. Monoculture will reduce biodiversity in an area. This will increase the number of pests in that area.

CAUSES

EFFECTS ON PRODUCERS, CONSUMERS, & FOOD WEBS

DESERTIFICATION degradation of land Livestock breaks up soil into fine particles which become compacted. Compacted soil allows less water to pass through. This increases rate of water & wind erosion. Grazing & collection of firewood eliminates plants that bind the soil. Excessive tillage results in deterioration of soil structure (ploughing or harrowing of land for crops) Insufficient maintenance of soil nutrients after agricultural work Excessive synthetic fertilisers accumulate in the soil & are non biodegradable, eventually destroying organisms in the soil. Poorly drained soil makes salt accumulate in soil. This inhibits plants growth & leads to crop failure. Loss of valuable top soil due to erosion Depletion of nutrients in the soil Inability of soil to sustain plant life loss of plant diversity Lack of food for herbivores loss of animal diversity Loss of biodiversity leads to collapse of food chains

CAUSES

EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN

ACID RAIN various gases dissolves in water in atmosphere (pH 5 - 2.2) Nitrogen oxides & Sulphur dioxide dissolves in atmospheric moisture Nitrogen oxide is produced by burning fuel (factories, power plants, motor vehicles) Sulphur dioxide is produced by burning coal Causes health problems
Causes or worsens respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc)

Harms forests
Dissolves nutrients in soil that plants need (calcium & magnesium) Releases aluminium which makes it hard for plants to absorb water Mountainous regions are more likely to experience acid rain

Damages lakes & streams

Lowers pH level (more acidic) & aluminium from soil gets into water. This is toxic to many aquatic organisms.

Damages buildings & other objects

Due to chemicals in acid rain. Can peel paint, wear down stone, etc.

EUTROPHICATION nutrients (especially phosphorous & nitrogen) become highly concentrate in a body of water. This leads to a rapid increase of
growth of organisms.

-Natural Eutrophication nutrients released from weathering of rocks & soils -Cultural Eutrophication nutrients come from human activities (e.g. sewage & agricultural drainage) CAUSES Natural run-off of nutrients from soil & weathered rocks

EFFECTS

Run-off or inorganic fertilisers (nitrates & phosphates) Run-off of manure from farms (nitrates & phosphates & ammonia) Run-off from erosion (from mining, construction work & poor land use) Discharge of detergents (phosphates) Discharge of sewage (nitrates & phosphates) Increase in plant & animal biomass Increase in growth of rooted plants Increase in turbidity of water (cloudiness) Decrease in species diversity Change in dominant species Over-abundance of algae can choke a body of water & clog irrigation -blocks sunlight, causes water grasses to die (cannot photosynthesise) -decrease in herbivores (food decreased) -decrease in aquatic organisms (breading ground & food affected) -as algae decomposers, oxygen is used, reducing oxygen for water organisms -some algae produce toxins

OVERGRAZING plants are exposed to livestock grazing for a long time without sufficient recovery methods CAUSES EFFECTS

Too many animals (overpopulation) grazing in one area for too long (bad control of grazing activities) Pasture to sustain livestock becomes in short supply Reduces lead area of plants, thus reducing absorption of light from photosynthesis Plants become weakened & have reduced root strength making them more susceptible to death during dry weather Weeds will be more likely to grow could be toxic Reduced ground cover & increases soil erosion Inadequate pasture will reduce health of livestock

CULLING

Removal of organisms from a population due to sale, slaughter or death.

(e.g. remove sick/weak animal, get rid of pests, lower population levels to reduce negative effects on environment)

HUMAN OVERPOPULATION PESTICIDES

Moral & ethical issues Increasing demand for food & land & organic materials, etc Humans are at the top of food chain, badly affects entire food pyramid Chemical agents used to kill a range of pests It can either be an insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide Biological control is less harmful to the environment Pesticides stay in food chain & soil for long periods of time. Could be toxic

INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES species that have been introduced by human action.
Can are not indigenous

SUCCESS IN NEW ENVIRONMENTS HOW THEY ARE INTRODUCED

IMPACT ON BIODIVERSITY

REASONS FOR CONTROLLING SPECIES

Absence of predators & pathogens allow them to flourish Easily out-compete indigenous species as they have not come across them before Humans transporting animals. Animals, such as rats, escaping on boats Plants deliberately brought for commercial or ornamental uses Seeds may be sent through postal services or unknowingly on peoples shoes or with their animals Ships carry water for stabilisation. Water could carry organisms which is then put back into the sea Plants threaten 55% of red data-listed plants in South Africa Trout & bass are threatening rare fish like Red-fin Minnows & Treur River Barbs Ribbon-worm is a pest carried by alien species causing large-scale infestations <4 species have been introduce to the Great Fish River from Orange river (Smallmouth yellowfish, orange river mudfish, sharptooth catfish, rock barbell) Varroa Mite, invasive wasp, affecting health of honey bees Mediterranean mussel has invaded & replaced intertidal mussel species Microscopic algae, 2 species of toxic phytoplankton is responsible for red tide Ecological
They out-compete indigenous species

Economical
Depletion of water resource

Aesthetic
Beautiful indigenous species are diminishing. These attract tourists.

Moral
Moral responsibility to conserve biodiversity

Legal
Convention on Biological Diversity legal obligation to save biodiversity

HOW TO CONTROL SPECIES

Mechanical
Removal of invasive species by hand/machinery. Effective in controlling small populations. It is non-invasive. Labour intensive & time consuming.

Chemical
Effective for large & small areas. Problem is possible contamination of land & water resources, & could damage/kill indigenous plant or animal species. Target may develop a resistance over time, making it ineffective.

Biological
Release of specific species to restrict the spread of invasive species. Safe & successful if researched properly. Chosen species may not be indigenous, which could risk increase of alien species. Examples are specific weeds or pathogens, which reduce ability for species to reproduce.

Prevention
Limit of entry of invasive species inspection of international shipment, custom checks, and proper quarantine regulations. Education to population about invasive species to make informed decision.

MEDICINAL PLANTS GENERAL WAYS TO SUSTAIN USE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS MEDICINAL PLANTS Cultivated & sold to users. This takes the pressure off wild stocks. But prices must not be too high & there must be enough stock to stop people from collecting from the wild themselves. Traditional healer grow own plants. As this their sole livelihood. Research into sustainable harvesting. This will help conservationists & resource users develop proper manage guideline for collection the species. Improvement in economy & education. This will provide job opportunities & reduce need to overexploit plants (for mainly women). Traditional practices integrated into formal medical structures. Brining recognition & approval of their important role. It also allows for ongoing training of these practices. Development of patent/pharmaceutical medicines with same name & action. This will reduce demand & pressure for wild supplies. Only required parts of plants harvested. The plant is then able to regrow & flower. Very sustainable. Legislation can be set to limit number of particular type of medicinal plant from a specific area. Fruits/Seeds collected & distributed to increase the number of plants in harvesting area WASTE MANAGEMENT Lack of dumping sites to deposit solid waste Ignorance of people about need to dispose waste & how to dispose of waste correctly Inefficient collection methods due to lack of funds Low quality of collecting bags used for solid waste Lack of recycling facilities Clogged drainage channels & gutters causing flooding Affects soil drainage which hinders growth of crops Waste materials could be toxic endanger wildlife Destroy appearance & aesthetics of area can affect tourism Rubbish could collect water when it rains breeding area for mosquitoes Proper education about need & ways of waste disposal Adequate waster handling & disposal facilities Set up recycling industries Laws should be made to protect environmental standards & carefully monitored Masses mobilised to take part in clean-up weeks. Recycle waste (separate organic, glass, plastic, paper, other) Reuse goods (plastic bags, glass bottles, scrap paper, crafts from rubbish, donate clothes) Waste production much be reduced by: -shopping carefully. Buy in bulk to reduce packaging required -avoid over packaged products -choose durable articles -buy recycled products -use rechargeable goods (like batteries, cloth serviettes, refillable ink pens) -store food in fridge in reusable air-tight containers -use own bags when shopping -use both sides of paper for printing

CAUSES

EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT

SOLUTIONS