07 April 2014

# 155 Summary of Human and Ecosystem

CO2 and methane are greenhouse gases, trapping outgoing long wavelength radiation in the atmosphere and warming the Earth. Increased concentrations of these gases are causing global warming.











  • SO2 is produced when coal and other fossil fuels burn.

  • SO2 and nitrogen oxides dissolves and react in water droplets in the atmosphere, and fall to the ground as acid rain. This leaches aluminum ions from soils, and kills plants and aquatic organisms.

  • Fall-out from accidents at nuclear reactions emits ionising radiation, which damages DNA and can cause mutations, cancer and radiation burns.

  • Deforestation reduces the amount of CO2 that is taken out of the atmosphere for photosynthesis, and so may increase global warming. Combustion of the felled trees releases CO2 into the atmosphere. Deforestation also destroys habitats for animals, possibly leading to their extinction. It increases soil erosion and flooding.

  • Water pollution by fertilisers or raw sewage can cause eutrophication, in which large populations of aerobic bacteria form, reducing the amount of dissolved O2 in the water and making it impossible for most animals to live there. Other chemical wastes, such as heavy metals, can also cause water pollution. 



3 comments:

  1. I love this blog! It has been so very helpful, thank you so much
    cheers

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  2. OMG i loved this blog it helped me get the a* i needed in my exam <3 xoxooxox bbz

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