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Biology Form 4 Folio (Pollution, Greenhouse Effect, Endanger An Ecosystem)
Biology Form 4 Folio (Pollution, Greenhouse Effect, Endanger An Ecosystem)
Biology Form 4 Folio (Pollution, Greenhouse Effect, Endanger An Ecosystem)
/C
NOMBER
: 960621-02-5517
CLASS
: 4 BERSIH
iNTRODUCTION
oBJECTIVE
Causes > -soil erosion -landslides -flash floods -climatic changes -the loss of biodiversity -the greenhouse effect and global warming
Effects >
b)The Golden Toad was last seen onMay 15,1989.Decline in amphibian populations is ongoing worldwide.P i c t u r e o f d i s f o r e s t a t i o n
Modern extinctions/
Effects >
burning fossil fuels has a direct impact on the solar radiation reflectivity of clouds, thereby contributing to global climate change.
Main Article :
Atmospheric researchers have provided observational evidence that burning fossil fuels has a direct impact on the solar radiation reflectivity of clouds, thereby contributing to global climate change. Joyce Penner, professor in the University of Michigan Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences, U-M graduate student Yang Chen, and assistant professor Xiquan Dong from the University of North Dakota Department of Atmospheric Science, reported their findings in the Jan. 15 issue of the journal Nature. Most evidence that increased levels of fossil fuel particles (aerosols) affects the reflectivity of clouds, thereby producing a cooling effect on the climate, has been indirect. "This made it difficult to determine the impact this phenomena, known as the indirect aerosol effect, has on the global climate," Penner said. "Our data makes the direct connection and opens new areas of study." Solar radiation, which adds to global warming, is reflected back into space by clouds. Cloud droplets are increased with higher levels of aerosols, allowing for less radiation, or heat, to reach the lower atmosphere. The end result is a measurable cooling effect on the climate. Using atmospheric data gathered from a site in Oklahoma, a typical continental site with a high concentration of aerosols, and a typical Arctic site in Barrow Alaska with low aerosol concentration, the researchers were able to show that the difference in cloud reflectivity at the two sites was caused by the difference in aerosol levels. The researchers also provided important evidence that the computer simulation model used in the study was capable of estimating cloud optical properties determined over a broad range of aerosol concentrations.
ScienceDaily (Jan. 19, 2004)
"This study is important for two reasons," Penner said. "First, it provides evidence that there is some cooling of the climate due to anthropogenic aerosols. Second, the simulation model we used has been shown to be a valuable tool in determining more directly the impact of aerosols on the climate." Penner cautioned that over longer time scales in the future, the climate cooling due to the indirect aerosol effect will be minimal when compared to the climate warming of carbon dioxide. "We've shown that there's more work to be done to discover all of the various ways we affect the climate." http://aoss.engin.umich.edu/ andhttp://www.nature.com/
Pollution
Types Of Pollution :a) Air Pollution b) Water Pollution c) Soil Pollution d) Noise Pollution
a)Air pollution
The introduction of chemicals, particulate matter,or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages thenatural environment into the atmosphere. The atmosphere is a complex dynamic natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth.Stratosphericozone depletion due to air pollution has long been recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems. Air pollution from World War II production .
Sulfuroxides (SOx) - especially sulfur dioxide, a chemical compound with the formula SO2.SO2is produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Since coal and petroleum often contain sulfur compounds, their combustion generates sulfur dioxide. Further oxidation of SO2, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as NO2, forms H2 SO4, and thus acid rain. This is one of the causes for concern over the environmental impact of the use of these fuels as power sources.
Nitrogenoxides (NOx) - especially nitrogen dioxide are emitted from high temperature combustion. Can be seen as the brown haze dome above or plume downwind of cities. Nitrogen dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula NO2. It is one of the several nitrogen oxides. This reddish-brown toxic gas has a characteristic sharp, biting odor. NO2 Is one of the most prominent air pollutants.
Carbonmonoxide - is a colourless, odourless, non-irritating but very poisonous gas. It is a product by incomplete combustion of fuel such as natural gas, coal or wood. Vehicular exhaust is a major source of carbon monoxide.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) - a greenhouse gas emitted from combustion but is also a gas vital to living organisms.It is a natural gas in the atmosphere.
Volatileorganic compounds - VOCs are an important outdoor air pollutant. In this field theyare often divided into the separate categories of methane (CH4) and non-methane(NMVOCs). Methane is an extremely efficient greenhouse gas which contributes to enhanced global warming. Other hydrocarbon VOCs are also significant greenhouse gases via their role in creating ozone and in prolonging the life of methane in the atmosphere,although the effect varies depending on local air quality. Within the NMVOCs, the aromatic compounds benzene, toluene and xylene are suspected carcinogens and may lead toleukemia through prolonged exposure. 1,3-butadiene is another dangerous compound which is often associated with industrial uses.
Particulate matter - Particulates, alternatively referred to as particulate matter (PM) or fineparticles, are tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas. In contrast, aerosol refers toparticles and the gas together. Sources of particulate matter can be man made or natural.Some particulates occur naturally, originating from volcanoes, dust storms, forest andgrassland fires, living vegetation, and sea spray. Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, power plants and various industrial processes also generate significant amounts of aerosols. Averaged over the globe, anthropogenic aerosols Those made by human activities currently account for about 10 percent of the total amount of aerosols in our atmosphere. Increased levels of fine particles in the air are linked to health hazards such as heart disease, altered lung function and lung cancer.
Persistent free radicals connected to airborne fine particles could cause cardiopulmonary disease.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - harmful to the ozone layer emitted from products currently banned from use.
Ammonia (NH3) - Emitted from agricultural processes. Ammonia is a compound with the formula NH3 . It is normally encountered as a gas with a characteristic pungent odor.Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to foodstuffs and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or indirectly, is also a building block for the synthesis of many pharmaceuticals. Although in wide use, ammonia is both caustic and hazardous.
[Source: The New York Times, February 19, 1989.]
b)Water pollution
- Boston Harbor is a strong example of how badly pollution can damage bodies of water. The water is filled with toxic waste and sewage, and routinely receives more waste when rainfall pushes it into the harbor. - Many bodies of water near urban areas are highly polluted.This is the result of both garbage dumped by individuals and dangerous chemicals legally or illegally dumped by industries. - The main problem caused by water pollution is that it kills life that inhabits water-based ecosystems. Dead fish, birds,dolphins, and many other animals often wind up on beaches,killed by pollutants in their habitat. - Pollution disrupts the natural food chain as well. Pollutants such as lead and cadmium are eaten by tiny animals. Later,these animals are consumed by fish and shellfish, and the food chain continues to be disrupted at all higher levels. - Eventually, humans are affected by this process as well.People can get diseases such as hepatitis by eating seafood thathas been poisoned. - Ecosystems can be severely changed or destroyed by water pollution. Many areas are now being affected by careless human pollution, and this pollution is coming back to hurt humans
c)Soil pollution
- Not enough oxygen in the soil, - acidy soils that may burn the plant, 45
- bugs will go and start an infestation in thesoil, it effects plants growth, - the soil pollution eats away at thenutrients and becomes - a bigger soil polluter, - not enough drainage, - new soil diseases develop every year, - not enough moisture in the soil.
d)Noise Pollution
Noise pollution disturbs our health and behavior in a number of ways including deafness causing lack of sleep, irritability, indigestion, heartburn, high blood pressure, ulcers, and heart disease. Just one noise explosion from a passing truck drastically alters our endocrinal, neurological, and cardiovascular functions in many individuals. If this is prolonged or frequent,the physiological disturbances become chronic and contribute to mental illness.
- Noise more than 50dB can be very difficult to hear and interpret and
cause problems such as partial deafness.
Ground level ozone (O3) formed from NOx and VOCs. Ozone (O3) is a key constituent of the troposphere (it is also an important constituent of certain regions of the stratosphere commonly known as the Ozone layer). Photochemical and chemical reactions involving it drive many of the chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere by day and by night. At abnormally high concentrations brought about by human activities (largely the combustion of fossil fuel), it is a pollutant, and a constituent of smog.
Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) - similarly formed from NOx and VOCs.Minor air pollutants include:
A variety of persistent organic pollutants,which can attach to particulate matter. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. Because of this, they have been observed to persist in the environment, to be capable of long-range transport, bio accumulate inhuman and animal tissue, bio magnify in food chains, and to have potential significant impacts on human health and the environment.
CONCLUSION :
REFERENCE :
Resources: Biology text book form 4Biology text book form 4(pg292-294) http://library.thinkquest.org/Chttp://library.thinkquest.org/C0127068/deforestation.html012706 8/deforestation