Assigment - Biology - Chapter 9 - Endangered Species

8/12/2019 Assigment - Biology - Chapter 9 - Endangered Species

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SEKOLAH MENENGAH KEBANGSAAN TAMAN

KOSAS,

AMPANG, SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN.

Assignment: BIOLOGY - Chapter 9 -

Endangered Species

Name:

Identification Card Number:

Class/Year:

Teachers Name:


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Contents

Introduction 1

Human Activities That Threaten the Ecosystem

and the Impact of the Human Activities 2 - 27

Types of pollution and sources of pollution 27 - 31

Effects of pollution on living things and 31 - 34

environment

Strategies to solve problems related to air and 34 - 35

water pollution

Green House Effect 36 - 40

Relationship between concentration of carbon 41 - 46

dioxide in the atmosphere with global warming

Thinning of ozone layer and the impact on 47 - 49

ecosystem


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Introduction

An endangeredecosystem is a natural environment that is threatened with collapse

and disappearance due to human activity, pollution and species extinction oroverpopulation among other factors. Living and non-living entities interact form

interdependent relationships and exchange energy and matter in ecosystems that can be as

large as the planet or as small as a fishbowl. When the interdependence between an

environments species and physical and chemical factors is disrupted, the ecosystem

becomes endangered and can possibly disintegrate completely. The consequences of

ecosystem collapse include mass extinction, species populations surging beyond control,

disruption of human food supplies, erosion, flooding, and acceleration ofclimate

change and the disintegration of large regions of the natural environment.

There are many natural and human causes of an endangered ecosystem, causes that

often disrupt an ecosystems food chain and physical environment.Overfishing of a

particular aquatic species such as sharks or Bluefin tuna can detrimentally impact a food

chain by depleting large predators that keep smaller species populations from surging out of

control. Without large predators, many species will breed beyond the immediate

environments ability to support them thus resulting in resource and food diminution and an

endangered ecosystem.

When the resources of the current ecosystem are exhausted, an overbred species

may then move to a new environment where it may become invasive and destructive.

Species can also be introduced into an ecosystem by man in an effort to control the

population of a native animal or insect but have a disruptive effect instead.

Pollutants can have a domino effect on an endangered ecosystem by destroying the

physical environment and killing or mutating species. For example, a pollutant introduced

into an aquatic ecosystem can kill the plants that the larger fish and crustaceans consume.

These herbivore species begin to die and thus deplete the food sources of the systems

carnivorous predators that also perish in large numbers or migrate to a new ecosystem in

search of sustenance. Additionally pollutants can cause an ecosystems species to mutate

resulting in everything from infertility to extra limbs and crippling physical defects.

Construction, development and other human activities including hunting can result

in an endangered ecosystem. Improperly managed or excessive hunting can weaken the

population of a species by removing animals faster than they can breed and thus interrupt

the food chain. Construction and development may destroy an ecosystems physical

environment that the living species depend on for survival. Unless the endangered

ecosystems species can be successfully relocated they may be threatened with extinction.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-ecosystem.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-climate-change.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-climate-change.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-overfishing.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-overfishing.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-climate-change.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-climate-change.htmhttp://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-ecosystem.htm


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Human Activities That Threaten The Ecosystem And The

Impact Of The Human Activities.

Causes:

Agriculture

Climate change and agriculture are interrelated processes, both of which take place

on a global scale.Global warming is projected to have significant impacts on conditions

affecting agriculture, includingtemperature,precipitation and glacial run-off. These

conditions determine thecarrying capacity of thebiosphere to produce enoughfood for

thehuman population and domesticated animals. Risingcarbon dioxide levels would also

have effects, both detrimental and beneficial, on crop yields. The overall effect of climate

change on agriculture will depend on the balance of these effects. Assessment of the effectsof global climate changes on agriculture might help to properly anticipate and adapt farming

to maximizeagricultural production.

At the same time, agriculture has been shown to produce significant effects on

climate change, primarily through the production and release ofgreenhouse gases such

ascarbon dioxide,methane,andnitrous oxide,but also by altering the Earth'sland cover,

which can change its ability to absorb or reflect heat and light, thus contributing to forcing.

Land change such asdeforestation anddesertification,together with use offossil fuels,are

the majoranthropogenic sources of carbon dioxide; agriculture itself is the major

contributor to increasing methane and nitrous oxide concentrations in earth'satmosphere.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_changehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warminghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precipitation_(meteorology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrying_capacityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biospherehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_populationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gaseshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_coverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desertificationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_impact_on_the_environmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospherehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospherehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_impact_on_the_environmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desertificationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_coverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gaseshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_populationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biospherehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrying_capacityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precipitation_(meteorology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warminghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change


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Fishing

Involve the availability offish to be caught, such asoverfishing,sustainable fisheries,

andfisheries management;and issues that involve the impact of fishing on other elements

of the environment, such asby-catch.These conservation issues are part ofmarine

conservation,and are addressed infisheries science programs. There is a growing gap

between how many fish are available to be caught and humanitys desire to catch them, a

problem that gets worse as the population grows. Similar to otherenvironmental issues,

there can be conflict between thefishermen who depend on fishing for their livelihoods and

fishery scientists who realise that if future fish populations are to besustainable then some

fisheries must reduce or even close.

Topsoil loss

The industrialization of agriculture during the last 150 years, specifically the

widespread use of fossil fuel powered farm machinery for ploughing, has resulted in massive

top soil loss. Soils are currently lost at the rate of inches per decade while it takes hundreds

of years for one inch of new topsoil to form.

Palm oil

Included loss of carbon-sequestering forest land. There is also concern over

displacement and disruption of human and animal populations due to palm oil cultivation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overfishinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_fisherieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisheries_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By-catchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_conservationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_conservationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisheries_sciencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issueshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishermenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainabilityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainabilityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishermenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issueshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisheries_sciencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_conservationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_conservationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By-catchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisheries_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_fisherieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overfishinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish


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Irrigation

The changes in quantity and quality ofsoil andwater as a result ofirrigation and the

ensuing effects on natural and social conditions at the tail-end area of the river basin and

downstream of an irrigation scheme. The impacts stem from the changedhydrological

conditions owing to the installation and operation of the scheme.

An irrigation scheme often draws water from the river and distributes it over the

irrigated area. As a hydrological result it is found that:

the downstreamriverdischarge is reduced

theevaporation in the scheme is increased thegroundwater recharge in the scheme is increased

the level of thewater table rises

thedrainage flow is increased

Meat production

Environmental effects are thepollution throughfossil fuel usage, and water and land

consumption. Meat is obtained through a variety of methods, includingorganic

farming,free range farming,intensivelivestock production,subsistence

agriculture,hunting and fishing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrigationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discharge_(hydrology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaporationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundwater_rechargehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watertablehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drainagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_farminghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_farminghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_rangehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livestockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsistence_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsistence_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsistence_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsistence_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livestockhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_rangehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_farminghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_farminghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drainagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watertablehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundwater_rechargehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaporationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discharge_(hydrology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrigationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil


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Energy industry

Biodiesel - High use of bio-diesel leads to land use changes includingdeforestation.

Coal mining and burning - Included the consideration of issues such asland use,waste

management,and water andair pollution caused by thecoal mining,processing and the

use of its products. In addition to atmospheric pollution, coal burning produces

hundreds of millions of tons of solid waste products annually, includingfly ash,bottom

ash,and desulfurization sludge, that containmercury,uranium,thorium,arsenic,and

otherheavy metals.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_usehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_mininghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_ashhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottom_ashhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottom_ashhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(element)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uraniumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metalshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metalshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uraniumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(element)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottom_ashhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottom_ashhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_ashhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_mininghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_usehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation


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Electricity generation - Significant because modern society uses large amounts of

electrical power.

Nuclear power - Results from thenuclear fuel cycle,operation, and the effectsof accidents. Theroutine health risks andgreenhouse gas emissions from nuclear
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fuel_cyclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas_emissionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas_emissionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fuel_cycle


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fission power are small relative to those associated with coal, oil and gas.

However, there is a "catastrophic risk" potential if containment fails,[1]

which in

nuclear reactors can be brought about by over-heated fuels melting and releasing

large quantities of fission products into the environment. The public is sensitive to

these risks and there has been considerablepublic opposition to nuclear power.

Oil shale industry - Included the consideration of issues such asland use,waste

management,and water andair pollution caused by theextraction and processing ofoil

shale.Surface mining ofoil shale deposits causes the usual environmental impacts

ofopen-pit mining.In addition, thecombustion andthermal processing generate waste

material, which must be disposed of, and harmful atmospheric emissions,

includingcarbon dioxide,a majorgreenhouse gas.Experimental in-situ conversion

processes andcarbon capture and storage technologies may reduce some of these

concerns in future, but may raise others, such as the pollution of groundwater.

Reservoirs - Comes under ever increasing scrutiny as the global demand for water and

energy increases and the number and size of reservoirs increases.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_nuclear_power#cite_note-ipfm2010-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_nuclear_power#cite_note-ipfm2010-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_nuclear_power#cite_note-ipfm2010-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-nuclear_movementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_usehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_shale_industryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_shalehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_shalehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_mininghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_shale_reserveshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-pit_mininghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combustionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_oil_extractionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_capture_and_storagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_capture_and_storagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_oil_extractionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combustionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-pit_mininghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_shale_reserveshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_mininghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_shalehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_shalehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_shale_industryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_usehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-nuclear_movementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_nuclear_power#cite_note-ipfm2010-1


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Petroleum - Often negative because it istoxic to almost all forms of life.

Wind power - Relatively minor, slightly higher than the environmental impact ofhydropower on alife-cycle basis.Unlike electricity derived fromfossil fuel-powered generating
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydro_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydro_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life-cycle_greenhouse-gas_emissions_of_energy_sourceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil-fuel_power_stationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil-fuel_power_stationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life-cycle_greenhouse-gas_emissions_of_energy_sourceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydro_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydro_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic


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plants andnuclear power plants,wind power consumes no fuel and emits noair

pollution in operation.

Manufactured products

Cleaning agents - The consequences of chemicals contained in the products that

are essential for their effectiveness.

Nanotechnology - Possible effects that the use of Nano technological materials and

devices will have onthe environment.

Paper - Significant, which has led to changes in industry and behaviour at both

business and personal levels.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil-fuel_power_stationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_(biophysical)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_(biophysical)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_powerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil-fuel_power_station


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Paint - Traditionalpainting materials and processes can have harmful effects on the

environment, including those from the use oflead and other additives.

Pesticides
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paintinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painting


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Pharmaceuticals and personal care products

Mining

Includederosion,formation ofsinkholes,loss ofbiodiversity,and

contamination of soil, groundwater andsurface water by chemicals from mining

processes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erosionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinkholehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_waterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_waterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinkholehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erosion


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Transport

Createsair pollution,includingnitrous oxides andparticulates,and is a

significant contributor to warming through emission ofcarbon dioxide,[1]

for whichtransport is the fastest-growing emission sector. By subsector, road transport is the

largest contributor to global warming.

Aviation - occurs becauseaircraft engines emitnoise,and particulates and gases

which contribute to climate change.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particulatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_transport#cite_note-pnas_pdf-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_transport#cite_note-pnas_pdf-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_transport#cite_note-pnas_pdf-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_enginehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_enginehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_transport#cite_note-pnas_pdf-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particulatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrous_oxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution


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Roads - include the local effects ofhighways (publicroads)such as on noise,

water,habitat destruction/disturbance and localair quality;and the wider effects

which may includeclimate change from vehicle emissions.

Shipping - Includesgreenhouse gas emissions andoil pollution.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highwayshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitat_destructionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_qualityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_changehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_changehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_qualityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitat_destructionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highways


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War

Scorched earth methods during, or after wars have been in use for much of

recorded history but with moderntechnology war can cause a far greater

devastation on the environment.Unexploded ordnance can render land unusable for

further use, or make access across it dangerous or fatal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorched_earthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unexploded_ordnancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unexploded_ordnancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scorched_earth


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Effects of unplanned development and mismanagement of the ecosystem:

Soil erosion.

Definition:Soil erosion occurs when soil is removed through the action of wind andwater at a greater rate than it is formed.Process:

When a raindrop hits soil that is not protected by a cover of vegetation and where

there are no roots to bind the soil, it has the impact of a bullet.

Soil particles are loosened, washed down the slope of the land and either end up in

the valley or are washed away out to sea by streams and rivers.

Erosion removes the topsoil first. Once this nutrient-rich layer is gone, few plants

will grow in the soil again. Without soil and plants the land becomes desert like and unable to support life.


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Causes of soil erosion:

These farming practices are:

Overstocking and overgrazing

Inappropriate farming techniques such asdeep ploughing land 2 or 3 times a year

to produce annual crops Lack of crop rotation

Planting crops down the contour instead of along it.

Measures can be implemented to prevent soil erosion:

The use of contour ploughing and windbreaks

Leave unploughed grass strips between ploughed lands (strip cropping)

Make sure that there are always plants growing on the soil, and that the soil is

rich in humus

Avoid overgrazing

Allow indigenous plants to grow along riverbanks

Conserve wetlands

Cultivate land, using a crop rotation system

Minimum or no tillage

Encourage water infiltration and reduce water runoff


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Flash flood.

Definition: A rapidflooding ofgeomorphic low-lying areas: washes,rivers,dry

lakes andbasins.It may be caused by heavy rain associated with aseverethunderstorm,hurricane,tropical storm,ormelt water from ice or snow flowing

over ice sheets or snowfields.

Causes:

Precipitation falls rapidly on saturated soil or dry soil that has poor absorption ability.

The runoff collects in gullies and streams and, as they join to form larger volumes,

often forms a fast flowing front of water and debris. Flash floods most often occur in

normally dry areas that have recently received precipitation, but may be seen

anywhere downstream from the source of the precipitation, even many miles from

the source. In areas on or nearvolcanoes,flash floods have also occurred after

eruptions, whenglaciers have been melted by the intense heat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomorphologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_lakehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_lakehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(geology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severe_thunderstormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severe_thunderstormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_stormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meltwaterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacierhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meltwaterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_stormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severe_thunderstormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severe_thunderstormhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(geology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_lakehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_lakehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomorphologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood


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Landslide.

Definition: Ageological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground

movements, such asrock falls,deep failure ofslopes and shallowdebris flows, which

can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments.

Causes:

Geological causes

Weathered Materials e.g. heavy rainfall

Sheared materials

Jointed or fissured materials

Adversely orientated discontinuities

Permeability contrasts Material contrasts

Rainfall and snow fall

Earthquakes

Working of machinery

Morphological causes

Slope angle

Uplift

Rebound
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_geological_phenomenahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockfallhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slopehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debrishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debrishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slopehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockfallhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_geological_phenomena


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Fluvial erosion

Wave erosion

Glacial erosion

Erosion of lateral margins

Subterranean erosion Slope loading

Vegetation change

Erosion

Physical causes

Intense rainfall

Rapid snow melt

Prolonged precipitation

Rapid drawdown Earthquake

Volcanic eruption

Thawing

Freeze-thaw

Ground water changes

Soil pore water pressure

Surface runoff

Seismic activity

Soil erosion

Human causes

Excavation

Loading

Draw-down

Land use change

Water management

Mining

Quarrying

Vibration

Water leakage

Deforestation

Land use pattern

Pollution


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Eutrophication.

Definition: The ecosystem response to the addition of artificial or natural

substances, such asnitrates andphosphates, throughfertilizers or sewage, to an

aquatic system.

Sources of Nutrient Pollution:

Nutrient pollution released to freshwater and coastal areas comes from many

diverse sources including agriculture, aquaculture, septic tanks, urban wastewater,

urban storm water runoff, industry, and fossil fuel combustion. Nutrients enter

aquatic ecosystems via the air, surface water, or groundwater.

From region to region, there are significant variations in the relative

importance of nutrient sources. For example, in the United States and the European

Union, agricultural sourcescommercial fertilizers and animal manureare typically

the primary sources of nutrient pollution in waterways, while urban wastewater is

often a primary source of nutrients in coastal waterways of South America, Asia and

Africa.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrate


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Two of the most acute and commonly recognized symptoms of eutrophication:

Harmful Algal Blooms

Harmful algal blooms can cause fish kills, human illness through shellfish poisoning,

and death of marine mammals and shore birds. Harmful algal blooms are often

referred to as red tides or brown tides because of the appearance of the water

when these blooms occur.

Hypoxia

Hypoxia, considered to be the most severe symptom of eutrophication, has

escalated dramatically over the past 50 years, increasing from about 10 documented

cases in 1960 to at least 169 in 2007. Hypoxia occurs when algae and other

organisms die, sink to the bottom, and are decomposed by bacteria, using the

available dissolved oxygen. Salinity and temperature differences between surface

and subsurface waters lead to stratification, limiting oxygen replenishment from

surface waters and creating conditions that can lead to the formation of a hypoxic or

dead zone. The formation of dead zones can lead to fish kills and benthic mortality.

Because benthic organisms are bottom dwelling and cannot easily flee low-oxygenzones, they are often the most severely impacted.


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The increase of nitrate or phosphate from fertilisers into water causes eutrophication.


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Extinction of living things

Living organisms are dependent on the environment and other species for their survival.

When the environment changes, organisms are not as well adapted to it.Individuals that are poorly adapted to their environment are less likely to survive and

reproduce than those that are well adapted. Similarly, it is possible that a species that is

poorly adapted to its environment will become extinct.

Some factors that can cause a species to become extinct:

rapid changes to the environment, such as the climate

new diseases

new predators

new competitors

Because we are all part of a giant food web, changes in one part of the web can have a

big impact on other parts of the web. When one food source disappears, a predator will

have to find another food source in order to survive.

The fossil record shows that since life on Earth began many species have become extinct.

Extinction is still occurring, a lot of it because of human activity. We compete with other

living things for space, food and water, and are very successful predators.


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Acid Rain

Definition:Arain or any other form ofprecipitation that is unusuallyacidic,meaning

that it possesses elevated levels of hydrogen ions (lowpH).

Acid rain is caused byemissions ofsulphur dioxide andnitrogen oxide,which react

with thewater molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.

Acid rain has been shown to have adverse impactson forests, freshwaters and soils,

killing insect and aquatic life-forms as well as causing damage to buildings and havingimpacts on human health.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precipitation_(meteorology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_oxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_oxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precipitation_(meteorology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain


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Biochemical oxygen demand

Definition: The amount ofdissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms

in a body of water to break down organic material present in a given water sample at

certain temperature over a specific time period. The term also refers to a chemicalprocedure for determining this amount.

Natural sources of organic matter include plant decay and leaf fall. However, plant

growth and decay may be unnaturally accelerated when nutrients and sunlight are

overly abundant due to human influence.

Urban runoff carries pet wastes from streets and sidewalks; nutrients from lawn

fertilizers; leaves, grass clippings, and paper from residential areas, which increase

oxygen demand.

Oxygen consumed in the decomposition process robs other aquatic organisms of the

oxygen they need to live. Organisms that are more tolerant of lower dissolved

oxygen levels may replace a diversity of more sensitive organisms.

Background Information

Microorganisms such as bacteria are responsible for decomposing organic waste.

When organic matter such as dead plants, leaves, grass clippings, manure, sewage,

or even food waste is present in a water supply, the bacteria will begin the process

of breaking down this waste. When this happens, much of the available dissolved

oxygen is consumed by aerobic bacteria, robbing other aquatic organisms of the

oxygen they need to live.

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of the oxygen used microorganisms to

decompose this waste. If there is a large quantity of organic waste in the water

supply, there will also be a lot of bacteria present working to decompose this waste.

In this case, the demand for oxygen will be high (due to all the bacteria) so the BOD

level will be high. As the waste is consumed or dispersed through the water, BOD

levels will begin to decline.

Nitrates and phosphates in a body of water can contribute to high BOD levels.

Nitrates and phosphates are plant nutrients and can cause plant life and algae to

grow quickly. When plants grow quickly, they also die quickly. This contributes to the

organic waste in the water, which is then decomposed by bacteria. This results in a

high BOD level. When BOD levels are high, dissolved oxygen (DO) levels decrease

because the oxygen that is available in the water is being consumed by the bacteria.

Since less dissolved oxygen is available in the water, fish and other aquatic organismsmay not survive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygenation_(environmental)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygenation_(environmental)


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Relationship between the development activities that are

unplanned and mismanaged and their effect on the

environment

Unplanned Development Effects On The Environment

Uncontrolled development of light and

heavy industries

Water, air, thermal and noise

pollution

Thinning of the ozone layer

The greenhouse effect

Uncontrolled cutting down of

forests(deforestation)

Soil erosion


Climatic change

Global warming

Flash floodsHigh-rise glass buildings Thermal pollution


Excessive mining Soil erosion

Flood

Excessive use of fertilisers Eutrophication

Water pollution

Excessive use of pesticides and chemical

substances

Air and water pollution

Extinction of living things

Burning of fossil fuels The greenhouse effect

Air pollutionBurning of domestic wastes Air pollution


Types and Sources of Pollution

Definition: Undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological

characteristics of the natural environment, brought about by human

activities.

Types of pollution:

Air pollution

Water pollution

Thermal pollution

Noise pollution


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Air Pollution

Cause: Introduction into theatmosphere ofchemicals,particulates,orbiological

materials that cause discomfort, disease, or death to humans, damage other

living organisms such as food crops, or damage thenatural

environment orbuilt environment.

Sources of pollution:

Man-Made Sources - related to burning different kinds offuel

"Stationary Sources" include smoke stacks ofpower plants,manufacturing facilities

(factories) and waste incinerators, as well as furnaces and other types of fuel-burning heating devices. In developing and poor countries, traditional biomass

burning is the major source of air pollutants; traditional biomass includes wood, crop

waste and dung.

"Mobile Sources" includemotor vehicles,marine vessels, aircraft and the effect of

sound etc.

Chemicals,dust andcontrolled burn practices in agriculture and forestry

management.

Fumesfrompaint,hair spray,varnish,aerosol sprays and other solvents

Waste deposition inlandfills,which generatemethane.Methane is highlyflammable and may form explosive mixtures with air.

Military, such asnuclear weapons,toxic gases,germ warfare androcketry.

Natural sources

Dustfrom natural sources, usually large areas of land with few or no vegetation

Methane,emitted by thedigestion of food byanimals,for examplecattle

Radon gasfromradioactive decay within theEarth's crust.Radon is a colourless,

odourless, naturally occurring, radioactive noble gas that is formed from the decay

of radium.

Smoke andcarbon monoxidefromwildfires.

Vegetation, in some regions, emits environmentally significant amounts of VOCs on

warmer days.

Volcanic activity, which producesulphur,chlorine,and ash particulates.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth%27s_atmospherehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemicalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particulateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomoleculehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomoleculehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_environmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_environmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Built_environmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_planthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadway_air_dispersion_modelinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemicalshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled_burnhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_sprayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varnishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerosol_sprayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfillhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfillhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weaponhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germ_warfarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dusthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dusthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatulencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digestionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioactive_decayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth%27s_crusthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildfireshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfurhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildfireshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth%27s_crusthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioactive_decayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digestionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatulencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dusthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germ_warfarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weaponhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfillhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerosol_sprayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varnishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_sprayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled_burnhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemicalshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadway_air_dispersion_modelinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_planthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Built_environmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_environmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_environmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomoleculehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomoleculehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particulateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemicalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth%27s_atmosphere


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Water Pollution

Cause:Contamination ofwater bodies (e.g.lakes,rivers,oceans,aquifers and water

ground. Water pollution occurs whenpollutants are directly or indirectly dischargedinto water bodies without adequatetreatment to remove harmful compounds.

Sources:

Pathogens

High levels of pathogens may result from inadequately treatedsewage discharges.

This can be caused by a sewage plant designedwith less thansecondary

treatment (more typical in less-developed countries). In developed countries, older

cities with aging infrastructure may have leaky sewage collection systems (pipes,

pumps, valves), which can causesanitary sewer overflows.Some cities also

havecombined sewers,which may discharge untreated sewage during rain storms.

Chemical and other contaminants

Organic water pollutants include:

Detergents.

Disinfection by-productsfound in chemicallydisinfecteddrinking water,suchaschloroform.

Food processing waste, which can include oxygen-demanding substances, fats and

grease.

Insecticides andherbicides,a huge range oforgan halides and otherchemical

compounds.

Petroleum hydrocarbons, including fuels (gasoline,diesel fuel,jet fuels, andfuel oil)

and lubricants (motor oil), and fuelcombustion by-products, from storm

waterrunoff.

Tree and bush debrisfrom logging operations.

Volatile organic compounds(VOCs), such as industrialsolvents,from improperstorage.

Chlorinated solvents,which are dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), may fall

to the bottom of reservoirs, since they don't mix well with water and are denser.

Polychlorinated biphenyl.(PCBs)

Trichloroethylene.

Perchlorate.

Various chemical compounds found in personalhygiene andcosmetic products.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollutanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_treatmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_treatmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_treatmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanitary_sewer_overflowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_sewerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detergentshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detergentshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinfection_by-producthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinfection_by-producthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinfectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_waterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloroformhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_processinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbicidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbicidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organohalidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_compoundshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_compoundshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_oilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combustionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_organic_compoundshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_organic_compoundshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solventhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorinated_solventhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorinated_solventhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNAPLhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_biphenylhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_biphenylhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichloroethylenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichloroethylenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchloratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchloratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygienehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmeticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmeticshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygienehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchloratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichloroethylenehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_biphenylhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNAPLhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorinated_solventhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solventhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_organic_compoundshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combustionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_oilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_compoundshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_compoundshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organohalidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbicidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_processinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloroformhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_waterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinfectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinfection_by-producthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detergentshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_sewerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanitary_sewer_overflowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_treatmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_treatmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_treatmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollutanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_pollutionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water


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Inorganicwater pollutants include:

Aciditycaused by industrial discharges (especiallysulphur dioxide frompower

plants)

Ammoniafrom food processing waste

Chemical wasteas industrial by-products

Fertilizers containing nutrients-nitrates andphosphates - which are found in storm

water runoff from agriculture, as well as commercial and residential use

Heavy metals frommotor vehicles(viaurban storm water runoff)andacid mine

drainage

Silt(sediment)in runoff from construction sites, logging,slash and burn practices or

land clearing sites.

Macroscopicpollution - large visible items polluting the water - may be termed

"floatables" in an urban storm water context, ormarine debris when found on the

open seas.

Trash or garbage(e.g. paper, plastic, or food waste) discarded by people on the

ground, along with accidental or intentional dumping of rubbish, that are washed by

rainfall intostorm drains and eventually discharged into surface waters

Plastics,small ubiquitous waterborne plastic pellets

Shipwrecks,large derelict ships.

Thermal Pollution

Cause: Degradation ofwater quality by any process that changes ambient

watertemperature.

Source: A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as acoolant bypower

plants and industrial manufacturers. When water used as a coolant is returned to the natural

environment at a higher temperature, the change in temperature decreasesoxygen supply,

and affectsecosystem composition.Urban runoffstorm water discharged to surface waters

fromroads andparking lotscan also is a source of elevated water temperatures.When a

power plant first opens or shuts down for repair or other causes, fish and other

organisms adapted to particular temperature range can be killed by the abrupt

change in water temperature known as "thermal shock."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_plantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_plantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammoniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammoniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_wastehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_wastehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metalshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_vehiclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_vehiclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_runoffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_mine_drainagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_mine_drainagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedimenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_and_burnhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_debrishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trash_(material)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_drainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipwreckhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipwreckhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_qualityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coolanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_plantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_plantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_runoffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parking_lothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parking_lothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_runoffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_plantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_plantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coolanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_qualityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipwreckhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_drainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trash_(material)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_debrishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_and_burnhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedimenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_mine_drainagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_mine_drainagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_runoffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_vehiclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metalshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrateshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_wastehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammoniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_plantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_plantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur_dioxidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidity


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Noise Pollution

Cause: Disturbing or excessivenoise that may harm the activity or balance of human

or animal life.

Source: Machines and systems, traffic, building activities, music performances, and

some workplaces, motor,aircrafts,and trains, and poor planning of environment.

Outdoornoise is summarized by the wordenvironmental noise.

Effect of Pollution on Living Things and Environment

Air Pollution

Source of

pollution

Pollutant Harmful Effect

Cement

factories,

quarries,

sawmills

Dust Respiratory diseases

Cough and allergy

Dirty buildings

Factories and

industries

Burning of

rubbishMotor

vehicles

Dust and soot Cause haze

Reduce visibility

Prevent sunlight from reaching the earth

surface and also block the stomata.Hence, the rate of photosynthesis and

the agricultural productivity are reduced

Cause lung cancer

Burning of

fossil fuels

and rubbish

Car exhaust

fumes

Carbon monoxide A toxic gas which combines easily with

haemoglobin as compared to oxygen.

Therefore it reduces the efficiency of blood

to carry oxygen

Carbon dioxide Causes the greenhouse effect which

increases the atmospheric temperature Changes in climate cause floods,

typhoon and droughts

Polar ice caps melt, causing floods

Sulphur dioxide Irritates the eyes, respiratory tract and

lungs

Damages lung tissues

Causes acid rain

Acid rain corrodes metal structures in

bridges and limestone of buildings

Lower the pH level of soil and water

Causes a reduction on the yield or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noisehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircrafthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_noisehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_noisehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircrafthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise


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agricultural products and death of

aquatic organisms

Nitrogen dioxide Causes acid rain and effects of acid rain

Damages lung tissues and causes

bronchitis and lung cancer

Irritates the eyes and respiratory tracts

Car exhaust

fumes which

contain lead

Lead Toxic, harmful and non-biodegradable.

Hence, lead can accumulate in the body.

When it reaches a high toxic level it can cause

mental retardation in children

Activities of

agricultural

industry

Agrochemical

substances

Can be passed in the food chains and

become concentrated in the body,

causing harm to the organisms because

it is non-biodegradable

Hinder the physiological process

Toxic to the body

Nuclear power

stations

Radioactive radiations Causes mutation causes cancer and

genetic diseases

Causes cancer and genetic diseases

Aerosol and

foam industries

Chlorofluorocarbon(CFC) Causes ozone depletion

Causes global warming(changes in

climate)

Skin cancer

Water Pollution

Source of pollution Pollutant Harmful effect

Discharge of

domestic wastes

into rivers

Untreated

sewage(faeces

and liquid

wastes)

Rubbish

Detergents

Encourage growth of bacteria, causing

diseases such as cholera, typhoid and

dysentery.

Number of bacteria increases due to

increased concentration of nitrates and

phosphates in untreated sewage.

Bacteria use up the oxygen supply in

water to decompose the untreatedsewage and other organic wastes. This

reduces the concentration of oxygen in

the river and kills off fish and other

aquatic plants and animals. The

decomposition of dead plants and fish

further increases the population of

bacteria in the water. This will reduce

the concentration of oxygen in the

water.

Cause bad odour and unsightly view Rubbish that is non-biodegradable


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prevents sunlight from reaching the

plants in the river and prevents

diffusion of oxygen. This threatens

aquatic life.

High concentration of detergents also

reduce the concentration of oxygen in

the water and threatens the lives of

aquatic organisms

Discharge of

industrial wastes

Organic wastes

from remains of

oil palms and

rubber plantations

Toxic chemical

wastes from

electronic

factories such asarsenic, lead,

mercury and zinc

Contaminate the water physically

Decomposition of organic wastes

reduces the concentration of oxygen in

the water

Accumulation of toxic chemicals that is

non-biodegradable through the food

the food chain in aquatic organisms

results in the poisoning of aquaticanimals and man. These toxic

substances also damage body organs

and are harmful to man, causing cancer

an mutation

Discharge of

agricultural

wastes(leaching

from farm to

nearby rivers)

Fertilisers and faeces

which contain nitrates

and phosphates

The high concentration of nitrates and

phosphates in rivers or ponds results in

eutrophication. The nitrates and phosphates

promote rapid growth of algae, the algae will

later use up the oxygen supply in the water,

killing fish and other aquatic organismsAgrochemicals such as

insecticides,

pesticides, herbicides

and fungicides

Agrochemicals are non-biodegradable, highly

toxic and harmful as they can be passed on

in food chains accumulate in the bodies of

aquatic animals and man. These chemical

wastes in significant amounts are poisonous

to aquatic animals and can damage the

organs in the body, cause cancer and

contaminate water supplies

Oil spillage Oil that spills form ships

oil tanks

Cause death to all life forms in the seas

Cause death of seas bird and sea lions Pollutes the beaches


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Thermal Pollution

Sudden and periodic increase in temperature producing a thermal effect

Changed dissolved oxygen

Distribution of organisms among major and minor communities. Death of stenothermic animals

Changes to reproductive powers and increased susceptibility to disease

Production of heat shock proteins for thermo tolerance.

Changes in migration time and pattern may be affected.

Bio indicators are the first to show the effects

Decrease in productivity of the water body.

Economic and environmental damage

Noise Pollution

Headaches, irritability and nervousness

Feeling of fatigue, decreases work efficiency

Hearing impairment

Anxiety, stress reaction, hypertension

Ischemic heart disease

Sleep disturbance, annoyance

Changes in immune system and birth defects

Increase blood pressure Cause deafness

Effects on the growth of some plants.

Birds which using sound to find prey

Strategies To Solve Problems Related To Air And Water

Pollution

Air Pollution

Use public mode of transportation: Encourage people to use more and morepublic

modes of transportation to reduce pollution. Also, try to make use of car-pooling

Conserve energy: Switch off fans and lights when you are going out. Large amount of

fossil fuels are burnt to produce electricity. You can save the environment from

degradation by reducing the amount of fossil fuels to be burned.
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Benefits_of_Public_Transportation.phphttp://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Benefits_of_Public_Transportation.phphttp://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Benefits_of_Public_Transportation.phphttp://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Benefits_of_Public_Transportation.php


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Understand the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: Do not throw away items

that are of no use to you. In-fact reuses them for some other purpose. This

minimises the dependence of producing new things.

Emphasis on clean energy resources:Clean energy technologies

likesolar,wind andgeothermal are on high these days. Governments of variouscountries have been providing grants to consumers who are interested in

installingsolar panels for their home.

Use energy efficient devices: CFL lights consumeless electricity as against their

counterparts. They live longer, consume less electricity, lower electricity bills and

also help you to reduce pollution by consuming less energy.

Switch to renewable energy: Some governments are investing in wind, nuclear,

biomass geothermal, radiant, hydroelectricity andsolar energy,as well as

otherrenewable energy, that are considered to be environmentally friendly and

harness natural processes to minimize burning of fossil fuels, which cause heavy airpollution. These sources of energy provide an alternate cleaner source of energy,

helping to negate the effects of certain forms of pollution.

Water Pollution

Educate people on how to conserve and preserve our natural resources such as

water

Do not throw chemicals, oils, paints and medicines down the sink drain, or the toilet

Buy more environmentally safe cleaning liquids for the use at home and other public

places.

Keep machinery in good working order

Clean up beaches and waterways

Pick up litter and never throw rubbish away.

Organize cleaning parties

Avoid plastics when possible

Use reusable bags

Use water wisely
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Green House Effect

A greenhouse is a building made of glass that allows sunlight to enter but traps heat

inside, so the building stays warm even when it's cold outside. Because gases in the Earth's

atmosphere also let in light but trap heat, many people call this phenomenon the

greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect works somewhat differently from an actual

greenhouse, but the name stuck, so that's how we still refer to it today.

If it were not for greenhouse gases trapping heat in the atmosphere, the Earth would

be a very cold place. Greenhouse gases keep the Earth warm through a process called the

greenhouse effect.

Definition:The greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary

surface is absorbed by atmosphericgreenhouse gases,and is re-radiated in all directions.

Since part of this re-radiation is back towards the surface and the lower atmosphere, it

results in an elevation of the average surface temperature above what it would be in the

absence of the gases.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas


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Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which makes the Earth warmer. People are

adding several types of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, and each gas's effect on

climate change depends on three main factors:

How much?

People produce larger amounts of some greenhouse gases than others. Carbon

dioxide is the greenhouse gas you hear people talk about the most. That's because

we produce more carbon dioxide than any other greenhouse gas, and it's

responsible for most of the warming.

How long?

Some greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for only a short time, but others can

stay in the atmosphere and affect the climate for thousands of years.

How powerful?

Not all greenhouse gases are created equal! Some trap more heat than others. For

example, one pound of methane traps about 21 times as much heat as one pound of

carbon dioxide.

The pie chart shows major greenhouse gases from peoples activities.

Carbon dioxide

Where does it come from?

Burning fossil fuels to produce electricity and heat buildings

Burning gasoline and other fossil fuels to run vehicles

Cutting down and burning trees or other vegetation.


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Some industrial and manufacturing process like producing cement and certain

chemicals

How long does it stay in the atmosphere?

Anywhere from 50 to thousands of years

Methane

Where does it come from?

Rising livestock. Certain animals-especially cows and sheep-produce methane as they

digest food. Manure also releases methane when it decays

Lanfills.as trash in a landfill breaks down over time, it releases methane

Producing and transporting natural gas. Natural gas is made mostly of methane,

which is released if there are even small leaks in gas pipes

Mining coal and can be released during mining


About 12 years

How much heat does it trap?

Over 20 time more heat than the same amount of carbon dioxide

Other gases

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) - damages the earths ozone layer.

Nitrous oxide

Where it come from?

Farming practices such that adds fertilizer. Certain bacteria that live in the soil turn

this extra nitrogen into nitrous oxide

Burning fossil fuels

Some industrial and manufacturing processes


About 114 years

How much heat does it trap?

About 298 times more heat than the same amount of carbon dioxide


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Fluorinated gases

Where do they come from?

Leaking coolants. Fluorinated gases used as coolants can be released by leaky

refrigerator, freezers, and air-conditioners in cars and homes Some industrial and manufacturing processes, like producing computer chips

How long do they stay in the atmosphere?

Each gas is different. Some of these gases can last for thousands of years

How much heat do they trap?

Depending on the gas, anywhere from a few hundred to 23,000 times more heat

than the same amount of carbon dioxide

Greenhouse gases come from all sources, such as producing electricity,

transportation, industry, agriculture, businesses, and homes.

The graph below shows how the world's total greenhouse gas emissions are continuing to increase every year.


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Info graphic about the greenhouse effect.


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Relationship between Concentrations of Carbon Dioxide in

the Atmosphere with Global Warming

There is little doubt the air's CO2 concentration has risen significantly since the inceptionof the Industrial Revolution; and there are few who do not attribute the CO2 increase to

the increase in humanity's use of fossil fuels. There is also little doubt the earth has

warmed slightly over the same period; but there is no compelling reason to believe that

the rise in temperature was caused by the rise in CO2. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely

that future increases in the air's CO2 content will produce any global warming; for there

are numerous problems with the popular hypothesis that links the two phenomena.

A weak short-term correlation between CO2 and temperature proves nothing

about causation. Proponents of the notion that increases in the air's CO2 content lead toglobal warming point to the past century's weak correlation between atmospheric

CO2 concentration and global air temperature as proof of their contention. However,

they typically gloss over the fact that correlation does not imply causation, and that a

hundred years is not enough time to establish the validity of such a relationship when it

comes to earth's temperature history.

The observation that two things have risen together for a period of time says nothing

about one trend being the cause of the other. To establish a causal relationship it must

be demonstrated that the presumed cause precedes the presumed effect. Furthermore,

this relationship should be demonstrable over several cycles of increases and decreases

in both parameters. And even when these criteria are met, as in the case of solar/climate

relationships, many people are unwilling to acknowledge that variations in the presumed

cause truly produced the observed analogous variations in the presumed effect.

In thus considering the seven greatest temperature transitions of the past half-

million years - three glacial terminations and four glacial inceptions - we note that

increases and decreases in atmospheric CO2 concentration not only did not precede the

changes in air temperature, they followed them, and by hundreds to thousands of

years! There were also long periods of time when atmospheric CO2 remained

unchanged, while air temperature dropped, as well as times when the air's CO2 content

dropped, while air temperature remained unchanged or actually rose. Hence, the

climate history of the past half-million years provides absolutely no evidence to suggest

that the on-going rise in the air's CO2concentration will lead to significant global

warming.

Strong negative climatic feedbacks prohibit catastrophic warming. Strong negative

feedbacks play major roles in earth's climate system. If they did not, no life would exist


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on the planet, for some perturbation would long ago have sent the world careening into

a state of cosmic cold or horrendous heat; and we know from the fossil record that

neither of these extremes has ever occurred, even over billions of years, and in spite of a

large increase in the luminosity of the sun throughout geologic time.

Consider, in this regard, the water vapour that would be added to the atmosphere

by enhanced evaporation in a warmer world. The extra moisture would likely lead to the

production of more and higher-water-content clouds, both of which consequences would

tend to cool the planet by reflecting more solar radiation back to space.

A warmer world would also mean a warmer ocean, which would likely lead to an

increase in the productivity of marine algae or phytoplankton. This phenomenon, in turn,

would enhance the biotic production of certain sulphur-based substances that diffuse

into the air, where they are oxidized and converted into particles that function as cloudcondensation nuclei. The resulting increase in the number of cloud-forming particles

would thus produce more and smaller cloud droplets, which are more reflective of

incoming solar radiation; and this phenomenon would also tend to cool the planet.

All of these warming-induced cloud-related cooling effects are very powerful. It has

been shown, for example, that the warming predicted to result from a doubling of the

air's CO2 content may be totally countered by: (1) a mere 1% increase in the reflectivity

of the planet, or (2) a 10% increase in the amount of the world's low-level clouds, or (3) a

15 to 20% reduction in the mean droplet radius of earth's boundary-layer clouds, or (4) a

20 to 25% increase in cloud liquid water content. In addition, it has been demonstrated

that the warming-induced production of high-level clouds over the equatorial oceans

almost totally nullifies that region's powerful water vapour greenhouse effect, which

supplies much of the temperature increase in the CO2-induced global warming scenario.

Most of these important negative feedbacks are not adequately represented in

state-of-the-art climate models. What is more, many related (and totally ignored!)

phenomena are set in motion when the land surfaces of the globe warm. In response to

the increase in temperature between 25N latitude and the equator, for example, the

soil-to-air flux of various sulphur gases rises by a factor of 25, as a consequence of

warmth-induced increases in soil microbial activity; and this phenomenon can lead to the

production of more cloud condensation nuclei just as biological processes over the sea

do. Clearly, therefore, any number of combinations of these several negative feedbacks

could easily thwart the impetus for warming provided by future increases in the air's

CO2 content.

Growth-enhancing effects of CO2 create an impetus for cooling. Carbon dioxide is a

powerful aerial fertilizer, directly enhancing the growth of almost all terrestrial plants and


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many aquatic plants as its atmospheric concentration rises. And just as increased algal

productivity at sea increases the emission of sulphur gases to the atmosphere, ultimately

leading to more and brighter clouds over the world's oceans, so too do CO2-induced

increases in terrestrial plant productivity lead to enhanced emissions of various sulphur

gases over land, where they likewise ultimately cool the planet. In addition, many non-sulphur-based biogenic materials of the terrestrial environment play major roles as

water- and ice-nucleating aerosols; and the airborne presence of these materials should

also be enhanced by rising levels of atmospheric CO2. Hence, it is possible that

incorporation of this multifaceted CO2-induced cooling effect into the suite of equations

that comprise the current generation of global climate models might actually tip the

climatic scales in favour of global cooling in the face of continued growth of

anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

There is no evidence for warming-induced increases in extreme

weather.Proponents of the CO2-induced global warming hypothesis often predict that

extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and hurricanes will become more

numerous and/or extreme in a warmer world; however, there is no evidence to support

this claim. In fact, many studies have revealed that the numbers and intensities of

extreme weather events have remained relatively constant over the last century of

modest global warming or have actually declined. Costs of damages from these

phenomena, however, have risen dramatically; but this phenomenon has been

demonstrated to be the result of evolving societal, demographic and economic factors.

Elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 are a boon to the biosphere. In lieu of global

warming, a little of which would in all probability be good for the planet, where do the

above considerations leave us? Simply with the biosphere benefits that come from the

aerial fertilization effect of atmospheric CO2 enrichment: enhanced plant growth,

increased plant water use efficiency, greater food production for both people and

animals, plus a host of other biological benefits too numerous to describe in this short

statement.

And these benefits are not mere predictions. They are real. Already, in fact, they are

evident in long-term tree-ring records, which reveal a history of increasing forest growth

rates that have closely paralleled the progression of the Industrial Revolution. They can

also be seen in the slow but inexorable spreading of woody plants into areas where only

grasses grew before. In fact, the atmosphere itself bears witness to the increasing

prowess of the entire biosphere in the yearly expanding amplitude of its seasonal

CO2 cycle. This oscillatory "breath of the biosphere" - its inhalation of CO2, produced by

spring and summer terrestrial plant growth, and its exhalation of CO2, produced by fall

and winter biomass decomposition - has been documented to be growing greater and


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greater each year in response to the ever-increasing growth stimulation provided by the

on-going rise in the air's CO2 content.

Atmospheric CO2 enrichment brings growth and prosperity to man and nature

alike. This, then, is what we truly believe will be the result of the on-going rise in the air'sCO2 content: a reinvigorated biosphere characteristic of those prior periods of earth's

history when the air's CO2 concentration was much higher than it is today, coupled with

a climate not much different from that of the present. Are we right? Only time will

tell. But one thing is certain now: there is much more real-world evidence for the

encouraging scenario we paint here than for the doom-and-gloom predictions of

apocalypse that are preached by those who blindly follow the manifestly less-than-

adequate prognostications of imperfect climate models.

Our policy prescription relative to anthropogenic CO2 emissions is thus to leave well

enough alone and let nature and humanity take their inextricably intertwined course. Allindications are that both will be well served by the on-going rise in atmospheric CO2.

Global warming

Definition:The rise in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans since

the late 19th century and its projected continuation. Since the early 20th century, Earth's

mean surface temperature has increased by about0.8 C (1.4 F), with about two-thirds of

the increase occurring since 1980.


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Warming of theclimate system is unequivocal, and scientists are more than 90%

certain that it is primarily caused by increasing concentrations ofgreenhouse

gases produced by human activities such as the burning offossil fuels and deforestation.

These findings are recognized by the national science academies of all major.

In the case of carbon dioxide, it is actually its invisibility that is the key factor in how it

causes global warming.

When sunlight reaches the Earth, it passes through our atmosphere. Greenhouse gases

such as carbon dioxideare invisible to sunlight, also known as shortwave radiation because

of its short wavelength. This allows the sunlight to pass through the atmosphereunhindered

by greenhouse gases, and warm the Earth's surface.

The warm surface of the Earth radiates infrared heat, also known as long wave radiation

because of its long wavelength. Greenhouse gases absorb long wave radiation. This results

in the atmospheretrapping some of the Earth's heatas it tries to escape out to space. Heat-

trapping gases such as carbon dioxidemake the atmospherewarmer than it would be

without any greenhouse gases.

Currently, we are adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere through the burning of

fossil fuels. As more greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere, more heatis being

trapped. This causes global warming. Consequently, the fact that carbon dioxidelets

sunlight pass freely through the atmosphereis an integral aspect of the greenhouse

effect. Carbon dioxide's invisibility is a key part of what causes global warming.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_system


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Our confidence that humans are causing global warming is based on many, independent

lines of evidence. Human fingerprints are being observed all over our climate.


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Thinning of Ozone Layer [Ozone Depletion] and Its Impact

on the Ecosystem

Definition:The wearing out (reduction) of the amount of ozone in the stratosphere. Unlikepollution, which has many types and causes, Ozone depletion has been pinned down to one

major human activity.

Industries that manufacture things like insulating foams, solvents, soaps, cooling

things like Air Conditioners, Refrigerators and Take-Away containers use something called

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These substances are heavier than air, but over time, (2-5years)

they are carried high into the stratosphere by wind action.

Depletion begins when CFCs get into the stratosphere. Ultra violet radiation from

the sun breaks up these CFCs. The breaking up action releases Chlorine atoms. Chlorine

atoms react with Ozone, starting a chemical cycle that destroys the good ozone in that area.

One chlorine atom can break apart more than 100,000 ozone molecules.

There are other Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) such as methyl bromide used in

pesticides, halon used in fire extinguishers, and methyl chloroform used in making industrial

solvents. Measurements of CFCs in the stratosphere are made from gas balloons, aircraft

and satellites.

Sadly, there isnt much humans can do to replenish the depleted Ozone, as it tends

to recover slowly by itself. All we can do is to be more responsible with our manufacturing

needs so that we do not introduce more CFCs into the air.


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How Ozone Depletion Affects UV Levels?

Depletion of the ozone layer has consequences on humans, animals and plants. This typically

results from higher UV levels reaching us on earth.

Humans

Research confirms that high levels of UV Rays cause non-melanoma skin cancer.

Additionally, it plays a major role in malignant melanoma development. UV is also linked to cataracts

(a disease of the eye which clouds the eyes lens).

Plants

The damage that extreme UV levels have on plants is one that our eyes do not see much, but

humans can feel the impact. Plant growth, as well as its physiological and developmental processes

is all affected negatively. These include the way plants form, timing of development and growth,distribution of plant nutrients and metabolism, etc. These changes can have important implications

for plant competitive balance, animals that feed on these plants, plant diseases, and biogeochemical

cycles.

Marine (or water) Ecosystems

Phytoplanktons formthe foundation of aquatic food webs. These usually grow closer to the

surface of water, where there is enough sunlight. Changes in UV levels are known to affect the

development and growth of phytoplankton, and naturally, the fish that feed on them. UV radiation is

also known to have affected the development stages of fish, shrimp, crab, amphibians and otheranimals. When this happens, animals in the upper food chain that feed on these tiny fishes are all

affected.

Effects on Biogeochemical Cycles

The power of higher UL levels affect the natural balance of gasses (and greenhouse gases) in

the biosphere: e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), carbonyl sulphide (COS) and

ozone. Changes in UV levels can cause biosphere-atmosphere feedback resulting from the

atmospheric build-up of these gases.


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What is Ozone Hole?

Top atmospheric researchers confirm that Ozone levels vary by season and latitude.

Sometime in 1979, it was observed the considerable Ozone depletion in the upper latitudes, Arctic

and Antarctic. This massive stretch of ozone depletion (hole) is estimated to be about the size of

America.

Particularly in the Antarctic, satellite images were released showing a disturbing thinning of

th

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Assigment - Biology - Chapter 9 - Endangered Species