climate change, soils, and human health
Post on 22-Feb-2016
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Climate Change, Soils, and Human Health
Dr. Eric C. BrevikDickinson State UniversityDickinson, ND, USA
Soils are important for human health• Production of food• Exposures to harmful chemicals• Disease-causing organisms• Filter for water• Medications– About 40% of prescription drugs have
their origin in soil
Soils are linked to the atmosphere
• Changes in atmospheric carbon affects soils• Changes in temperature/precipitation affect soils
Climate change, soils, and human health
• Indirect effects– Increased deaths related to temperature extremes– Increased tropospheric ozone concentrations
leading to respiratory problems– Increased range for vectors
Climate change, soils, and human health
• Direct effects– Changes in soil properties due to climate change
could influence nutrient cycling and the carbon cycle, compromising food security
– Atmospheric dust generated from soil is expected to increase with climate change
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