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6 Cards in this Set
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Water Pollution |
What is Water Pollution? -Water pollution occur when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without enough treatment to get rid of harmful compounds -.Water pollution affects drinking water, rivers, lakes and oceans all over the world. -More to this, water pollution affects not only individual living species but also populations and entire functioning ecosystems that exist in the waters. |
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Causes of Water Pollution -In some not-so-developed countries, the sewage is not treated but quickly dumped into the sea or water bodies. -When these end up in the sea, they harm sea animals and cause a lot of water animal deaths. -If that happens, they contaminate the soils, and the liquids in them end up in many nearby water bodies. -Atmospheric deposition is the pollution of water bodies caused by air pollution. -The result is that water bodies also get contaminated and this affects animals and water organisms. |
Effects of Water Pollution -Water pollution can pose health dangers to humans who come into contact with it, either directly or indirectly. -The risks of your health being negatively impacted by polluted drinking water in a developed country is small in comparison with developing countries. -One of the most pervasive non-localized water pollution issues facing the world today is the level of mercury in the oceans. -In Louisiana, water quality can be so bad in many waterways that fish advisories are often posted to warn people against eating fish out of contaminated waterways. |
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Solution or Prevention (Inside the House) -Conserve water whenever possible.-Use environmentally -friendly household cleaning products and personal products. -Recycle and dispose household waste properly. -Support organic farmers by purchasing organic food and other products -Properly dispose toxic products such as; paint,oil and other hazardous materials. -Install water filters to help clean the water in your home. |
Solution or Prevention (Outside the House) -Enforce and obey anti-litter by laws. -Report misuse and participate in anti-litter campaigns. -Refrain from using fertilizers or pesticides on lawns or gardens. -Preserve our forest, which are natural water purifiers, by reducing paper use and by supporting reforestation. -Don't deposit any waste or litter in any water system. -Use storm bins to save rain water for future watering of gardens and lawns. -Maintain vehicles to prevent oil leaks. -Keep all boats and water crafts well maintained. |
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Ocean Acidificaiton |
What is Ocean Acidification? -It is the changes in the chemical make-up of all the waters in the oceans, as well as its temperature, resulting from excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. -The atmosphere is made up of air, and air is composed of gases including: Oxygen 21%, Nitrogen 78%, Argon 0.9% and Carbon Dioxide It is known that the Amazon, together with other major forests covers are large absorbers of co2 from the atmosphere, but in fact, the Oceans, is the largest carbon sinks on the planet. |
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Causes of Ocean Acidification -In this case, the upper level or layer of the ocean or seawater absorbs co2, forming Carbonic acid. -The result of this reaction increases Hydrogen ions in the water, and reduces carbonate ions. -Ocean acidification can also be caused by burning fossil fuels. -As a result, more co2 is absorbed by ocean water, as the equilibrium point has changed a bit. |
Solution or Prevention of Ocean Acidification -In recent time, the consumption of renewables are growing and huge resources are being invested into it but we need to do more, as it is the only way to reduce the co2 in the atmosphere. -Because species and ecosystems are already vulnerable and endangered in many waters, protected areas, laws and policies that aim to protect those species must be set up and enforced. -There must be hefty fines and consequences to those who break the law by going after endangered species. -This way, the health of marine biodiversity will be improved, and biological factors that aid co2 absorption will be less affected. |
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Effects of Ocean Acidification -The oceans provide extraordinary ecosystem services to societies, food, regulation services (carbon absorption), cultural and recreation as well as nutrient recycling. -Some marine ecosystems, particularly those that use Calcium Carbonate to build their shells (such as coral and oyster reefs) could change with increasing ocean acidity. -The oceans play a massive role in the carbon cycle, by absorbing co2 from the upper layers and transporting them to the ocean beds for storage. -Acidic waters reduces the biological component that absorbs the co2, thereby reducing the oceans capacity to perform its role as a carbon sink. -Acidic oceans may be corrosive to shell animals in the ocean. |
Effects of Water Pollution -Water pollution also causes negative effects within the environment to animals and their habitats. -It is possible for the pollutants to raise the temperature of the water enough to force fish out in search of cooler waters. -Water pollution can also significantly increase the rate of algal blooms. -These blooms create massive fish die-offs as the oxygen in the water gets depleted and the fish suffocate. -Oil spills are a common occurrence throughout the world; however major spills like the Exxon Valdez and the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster have shown what water pollution can do on a very large scale. |
