CHAPTER 9: ENDANGERED ECOSYSTEM

NAME (S) : -TAN HUI PING -CATHLEEN WONG -CHERYL WONG -YUVANIESHA A/P KUPPUSAMY -NURUL NAJWA BT ZAINAL ABIDIN -HASEENJIT KAUR KHAIRA

CONTENTS
Our ecosystem Pollution Air Pollution Water Pollution Thermal Pollution Noise Pollution Greenhouse Effect Thinning Of Ozone Layer

OUR ECOSYSTEM

Our ecosystem consists of non-living and living components. Together, they create a balanced ecosystem. Everything has its place in the ecosystem. Ecosystems are very important as they help Mother Nature. However, MANKIND has started to slowly harm the ecosystem. Granted, maybe we do not intend to do so, but we do not stop when we know what we are doing is harmful. Thanks to mankind, our ecosystem is facing problems it has never faced in the past, problems that we helped create. Some of these problems include : DEFORESTATION SOIL EROSION LANDSLIDES FLASHFLOODS CLIMATE CHANGE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

All these problems were non-existent till recently due to our need to change the world. Deforestation. It occurs as man demolish through forests in order to get more land, wood, supplies. Little do we know, that by chopping down trees, we are actually causing most of the earths problems like SOIL EROSION, LANDSLIDES, FLASHFLOODS, CLIMATE CHANGE and so much more. It also increases the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causing the greenhouse effect. This leads to global warming.

Basically, we all need to change our tune when it comes to looking after our earth. Not only are we cutting down trees, but we are also polluting our earth.

Pollution

AIR POLLUTION

Causes of air pollution There are many different chemical substances that contribute to air pollution. These chemicals come from a variety of sources.

Among the many types of air pollutants are nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxides, and organic compounds that can evaporate and enter the atmosphere.

Air pollutants have sources that are both natural and human. Now, humans contribute substantially more to the air pollution problem.

Forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion, pollen dispersal, evaporation of organic compounds, and natural radioactivity are all among the natural causes of air pollution.

Usually, natural air pollution does not occur in abundance in particular locations. The pollution is spread around throughout the world, and as a result, poses little threat to the health of people and ecosystems.

Though some pollution comes from these natural sources, most pollution is the result of human activity. The biggest causes are the operation of fossil fuelburning power plants and automobiles that combust fuel. Combined, these two sources are responsible for about 90% of all air pollution in the United States.

Some cities suffer severely because of heavy industrial use of chemicals that cause air pollution. Places like Mexico City and Sao Paulo have some of the most deadly pollution levels in the world.

Effects of air pollution Air pollution is responsible for major health effects. Every year, the health of countless people is ruined or endangered by air pollution.

Many different chemicals in the air affect the human body in negative ways. Just how sick people will get depends on what chemicals they are exposed to, in what concentrations, and for how long.

Studies have estimated that the number of people killed annually in the US alone could be over 50,000.

Older people are highly vulnerable to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with heart or lung disorders are under additional risk. Children and infants are also at serious risk.

Because people are exposed to so many potentially dangerous pollutants, it is often hard to know exactly which pollutants are responsible for causing sickness. Also, because a mixture of different pollutants can intensify sickness, it is often difficult to isolate those pollutants that are at fault.

Many diseases could be caused by air pollution without their becoming apparent for a long time. Diseases such as bronchitis, lung cancer, and heart disease may all eventually appear in people exposed to air pollution.

Air pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur dioxide also have harmful effects on natural ecosystems. They can kill plants and trees by destroying their leaves, and can kill animals, especially fish in highly polluted rivers.

WATER

POLLUTION

Causes of water pollution One of the reasons that the water pollution problem is so severe is that it is not actually illegal to dump pollutants into water bodies.

Sewage, sludge, garbage, and even toxic pollutants are all dumped into the water. Often, governments either do not care or simply look the other way.

Across the world, about half of all sewage is dumped into water bodies in its original form. No efforts are made to disinfect the sewage or to remove especially harmful pollutants.

Even if sewage is treated, problems still arise. Treated sewage forms sludge, which is sent out into the sea and dumped.

Many cities and countries dump sewage out at sea. Often, they place it not far from their own coastline, often killing all the sea wildlife in the dumping area.

In addition to sewage, chemicals dumped by industries and governments are another major source of water pollution.

Oil, such as that spilled by transport ships, has been dumped into the water since the US Civil War. Every year, between 1 and 10 billion tons of oil are spilt, killing many species and destroying the ecosystem in the area. Clean-up efforts have been weak, as only about 10% of the oil is removed by the most successful efforts. Effects of water pollution A number of waterborne diseases are produced by the pathogens present in polluted water, affecting humans and animals alike. Pollution affects the chemistry of water. The pollutants, including toxic chemicals, can alter the acidity, conductivity and temperature of water. Polluted municipal water supplies are found to pose a threat to the health of people using them. As per the records, about 14000 people perish or incur various communicable diseases due to the consumption of contaminated drinking water.

The concentration of bacteria and viruses in polluted water causes increase in solids suspended in the water body, which, in turn, leads to health problems. Marine life becomes deteriorated due to water pollution. Lethal killing of fish and aquatic plants in rivers, oceans and seas is an aftereffect of water contamination only. Diseases affecting the heart, poor circulation of blood and the nervous system and ailments like skin lesion, cholera and diarrhoea are often linked to the harmful effects of water pollution. Carcinogenic pollutants found in polluted water might cause cancer. Alteration in the chromosomal makeup of the future generation is foreseen, as a result of water pollution. Discharges from power stations reduce the availability of oxygen in the water body, in which they are dumped. The flora and fauna of rivers, sea and oceans is adversely affected by water pollution.

THERMAL POLLUTION Causes of thermal pollution Discharge of warmed water from power plants and other industrial plants, into rivers and lakes. Discharge of hot combustion gases into the atmosphere. Vehicle exhausts and aircon discharges in cities. More roads and buildings absorbing heat and passing it to the air, mainly in cities.

Effects of Thermal Pollution

In water, thermal pollution(making the water warmer) can change the species of fish present in the water (trout for instance prefer cold water) and other organisms both because of the heat and the decreased oxygen in the water (warm water dissolves less oxygen). The warme water increases algal growth and encourages migratory birds, like ducks, to over winter.

In air, thermal pollution is limited to the heat island effect caused by cites. Cities trap and radiate more heat than forests and fields. The warmer air makes thermal currents in the air which can act as a barrier to the normal wind patterns. This in turn affects the rainfall on the far side (downwind) of the city.

In soil, thermal pollution is limited to the impact of climate on the types of plants that can grow and the reduction of areas which have permafrost. The loss of permafrost impacts the solidarity of the ground (impacting animal migration) and releases methane from the frozen decomposing organic matter.

NOISE POLLUTION Causes of noise pollution Traffic noise is the main source of noise pollution caused in urban areas. People living beside railway stations put up with a lot of noise from locomotive engines, horns and whistles and switching and shunting operation in rail yards.

To meet the demands of the basic necessity of living, the construction of buildings, highways and city streets causes a lot of noise. Pneumatic hammers, air compressors, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks and pavement breakers are the major sources of noise pollution in construction sites. Though not a prime reason, industrial noise adds to the noise pollution. Machinery, motors and compressors used in the industries create a lot of noise which adds to the already detrimental state of noise pollution. Household equipments, such as vacuum cleaners, mixers and some kitchen appliances are noisemakers of the house. Effects of noise pollution Deafness, temporary or permanent, is one of the most prevalent effects of noise pollution. Noise pollution acts as a stress invigorator, increasing the stress levels among people. Sometimes, being surrounded by too much of noise, people can be victims of certain diseases like blood pressure, mental illness, etc. Noise pollution indirectly affects the vegetation. Plants require cool & peaceful environment to grow. Noise pollution causes poor quality of crops. Animals are susceptible to noise pollution as well. It damages the nervous system of the animals. Noise indirectly weakens the edifice of buildings, bridges and monuments. It creates waves, which can be very dangerous and harmful and put the building in danger condition.

Greenhouse Effect