Download - The study of the interactions of organisms with one another and their physical environment Ecology
The study of the interactions of organisms with one another and their physical environment
Ecology
Human Impact on the Environment
Human Impact on the Environment
How much trash do you think you throw away?
How many times a day does a person pollute the environment?
How many lakes and forests are killed by acid rain?
Pollution
Pollution is anything potentially harmful that humans add to the environment.
Pollution can drastically damage the health of ecosystems as well as the health of human beings.
Air Pollution
Mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
Many forms:
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrogen oxide
The Ozone Layer Consists of a layer of gas (O3) that is
responsible for keeping UV radiation from reaching the earth’s surface.
It is being destroyed by chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s)
CFC’s found in coolant in refrigerators & air conditioners, and the propellant in aerosol cans.
1 chlorine molecule destroys 100,000 ozone molecules.
The Ozone Layer
Acid Rain Occurs when air
pollutants get mixed with rain in the atmosphere.
The product is sulfuric acid which is falls back to earth in rain and snow.
Pure water has a pH of 7.0 (neutral)
Normal rain has a pH of about 5.6. Acid rain has a pH below the 5.6 avg. The pH in northeast US is 3.8.
Marble surfaces exposed to acid rain develop a rough "sugary" texture because the calcite grains are loosened as the edges dissolve in the rain water. Column capital volute, Jefferson Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Acid Rain and Our Nation’s Capital
Acid Rain
NaOH
Greenhouse Effect
Caused when sunlight reflected from earth’s surface is trapped as heat by carbon dioxide gas and other greenhouse gases, including methane.
Scientists predict an average temperature increase of 1-5 degrees C by 2050.
How does this impact the environment?
ResourcesRenewable resources: Resources that
replenish themselves naturally.
Example:– Trees
Nonrenewable resources: Resources that do not
replenish themselves naturally.
Examples:– Extinct species– Fossil fuels such as oil
and gas
Trees are a renewable resource, but a forest ecosystem is nonrenewable. Why?
New trees can be planted and grown to replace those cut down, but an ecosystem involves a complex web of relationships that are established over very long periods of time.
How pollution Affects our Resources
Pollution has led to a rapid draining of fuel supplies.
The known reserves of oil and natural gas will be nearly depleted by the middle of the next century.
Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources. Nonrenewable resources do not replenish
themselves naturally, whereas renewable resources do.
Solutions to Pollution Reduce pollution by
proper waste disposal and recycling
Conserve nonrenewable resources
Reduce consumption of natural resources
Conserve energy Curbing human
population growth
Waste disposal & Recycling Each year,
Americans generate 153 million tons of garbage. This is dumped into landfills or is burned creating air pollution.
Solutions: Recycle as much as
possible– Aluminum products– Glass containers– Office & school paper– Newspaper– Many plastic materials
Buy products that contain recycled materials
Properly dispose of toxic and hazardous materials– Household insecticides– Oven cleaners– Furniture cleaners– Oil-based paint– Motor batteries & oil
Conserving Nonrenewable Resources
Topsoil for Agriculture The world has lost ¼ of its topsoil due to erosion from clearing of trees and vegetation and cultivating crops.
Ground water (water trapped beneath the soil) Groundwater is being depleted by watering lawns, washing cars, and running fountains. It is also being polluted by poor disposal of chemical wastes.
Species are disappearing. About 1/2 of the world’s tropical rainforests have been destroyed. At this rate, most of the world’s rainforests will be gone in 40 years. It is estimated that 1/5 or more of the world’s species will become extinct, mope than a million species lost, if the rainforests are destroyed.