NOTES 12.4: HUMAN ISSUES, IMPACTS, & SOLUTIONS Pages 435-437, 440-452
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE The study of the interactions between humans and their own environment
Earth s Layers Geosphere Earth s rock interior Extends from core to crust, includes ocean floor Hydrosphere Earth s water layer Includes oceans, lakes, rivers, and water vapor
Earth s Layers Atmosphere Mixture of gases surrounding the planet 78% N 2, 21% O 2, 1% other gases (H 2 O & CO 2 ) Biosphere Portion of the Earth that contains life ~11km below surface to ~ 9 km above surface
POLLUTION Release of environmental contaminants Types: land, water, air, noise, light
Vocabulary Biodiversity Hotspot: regions with high diversity that are most in danger
Vocabulary Conservation Biology: identify, protect, and maintain areas at risk
Vocabulary Restoration Biology: rebuilding damaged ecosystems Children s Forest
Vocabulary Bioindicators: Species that are sensitive to change, show early warning signals of environmental problems
Vocabulary Ecotourism: educates travelers about ecosystem while raising funds for conservation
Vocabulary Ecological (carbon) footprint: amount of land and sea required to supply the resources to fit your lifestyle needs how much we impact the environment Humanity s current total ecological footprint is ~1.7 Earths! Explore: http://data.footprintnetwork.org/#/
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
Issue: Invasive Species CAUSE: Non native species is introduced into an ecosystem
Issue: Invasive Species IMPACT: Affect biodiversity of native species Have no natural predators Causes food web to get out of balance
Issue: Invasive Species POSSILE SOLUTIONS: Clean boats when moving to new location Clean all camping gear Do not bring in certain foods from other states/countries
ISSUE: Biomagnification CAUSE: Bioaccumulation: pollutant enters the organism and builds up over time Biomagnification: concentration of pollutant increases as you move up the food chain
ISSUE: Biomagnification
ISSUE: Biomagnification IMPACT: Species can eventually go extinct Ex: Mercury in fish Infants/unborn babies: affects developing nervous system Children/adults: affects brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, & immune system
ISSUE: Biomagnification POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Banning of toxic pollutants (worst ones have already been banned, like DDT) Regulate or even eliminate processes that create toxins (ex. Burning coal)
ISSUE: Eutrophication CAUSE: Eutrophication is the enrichment of an ecosystem with chemical nutrients containing nitrogen or phosphorus Run-off from fertilizers used in agriculture, sewage
ISSUE: Eutrophication IMPACT: Can lead to harmful toxic algal blooms or hypoxia (oxygen depletion) Kills of many species in freshwater water systems High rates of photosynthesis can raise ph to extreme levels during the day
ISSUE: Eutrophication POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Reducing use of fertilizers Better control of sanitation practices
ISSUE: Climate Change
ISSUE: Climate Change CAUSE: Greenhouse Effect: the ability of our atmosphere to trap heat keeps our planet warm and habitable (this is a good thing) CO 2 and other greenhouse gases trap heat Combustion of fossil fuels releases excess CO 2, enhancing the greenhouse effect
ISSUE: Climate Change IMPACT: Global temperature to rise about 4 o C by 2100 Highest temperatures in 30 million years
ISSUE: Climate Change IMPACT: Ice Cap melts causing sea levels to rise 3-6 feet Drought over 40% of land Half of current known species EXTINCT
ISSUE: Climate Change IMPACT: Positive feedback is now driving climate change The warming increases the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, which in turn leads to further warming, which increases water vapor, and so on
ISSUE: Climate Change POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Eliminate the burning of fossil fuels Carpool or use public transportation! Buy less stuff http://storyofstuff.org/ Wind Power, Solar Power, Hydropower
ISSUE: Ozone Thinning
ISSUE: Ozone Thinning CAUSE: CFC s from refrigerants and propellants break down ozone (O 3 ) Ozone Hole started in the Southern Hemisphere but increases in size over time
ISSUE: Ozone Thinning IMPACT: Ozone is found in the upper atmosphere and blocks radiation Increased UV radiation leads to skin cancer
ISSUE: Ozone Thinning POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Ban CFCs and other pollutants (much of this has already been done)
ISSUE: Acid Rain
ISSUE: Acid Rain CAUSE: Burning of coal and fossil fuels releases pollutants (sulfuric and nitric acids) into the atmosphere Water vapor condenses around the pollutant particles to form acidic water (acid rain) Some bodies of water can buffer the effects of acid rain
ISSUE: Acid Rain IMPACT: Disease and death of trees, fish, and other organisms, especially those sensitive to ph change Degradation of stone
ISSUE: Acid Rain POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Reduce/eliminate use of fossil fuels Be sustainable Sustainable: able to maintain needs at a reasonable rate Watch your ecological (carbon) footprint How much do your actions affect the environment?
ISSUE: Ocean Acidification
ISSUE: Ocean Acidification CAUSE: Excess carbon dioxide gas produced from burning of fossil fuels is absorbed by the ocean Carbon dioxide (CO2) reacts with bicarbonate (H2CO3) to produce carbonic acid (HCO ) Leads to acidification
ISSUE: Ocean Acidification IMPACT: Causes coral bleaching Shelled organisms have problems making shells Disrupts and destroys food webs and ecosystems
ISSUE: Ocean Acidification POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Reduce/eliminate use of fossil fuels Rebuild reefs
ISSUE: Ocean Pollution
ISSUE: Ocean Pollution CAUSE: Plastic pollution on land is carried out to sea by wind and rain We're surrounded by plastic. Think about every piece you touch in a single day: grocery bags, food containers, coffee cup lids, drink bottles, straws for juice boxes the list goes on and on. Plastic may be convenient, but its success carries a steep price. Every single piece of plastic ever made still exists today!
ISSUE: Ocean Pollution IMPACT: Entanglement: organisms become twisted in or caught in plastics Ingestion: organisms eat plastics Rafting Organisms: barnacles, sea anemones, and other rafters make their home on plastics
ISSUE: Ocean Pollution Possible Solutions: USE LESS PLASTIC Use reusable bags, bottles, etc. Use biodegradable products Watch where you throw away/recycle your plastics