Environmental Problems and Their Causes

Resource DepletionPerpetual resources- never run out. Ex. Sunlight, wind, tides. Directly available.

Potentially renewable resources- replaced in a reasonable amount of time. Ex. Forests, clean water, clean air, fertile soil.

Non-renewable resources- used up to fast and will run out. Indirectly available. Energy resources like oil, coal and uranium.

Metallic minerals like iron, copper, aluminum. Non metallic minerals like salt, clay, sand, phosphates.

Sustainable YieldHighest rate we can use a resource without reducing its availability.

Environmental degradation

Occurs when we exceed sustainable yield.

Examples: covering land with water or concrete, improper soil use, depleting aquifers, destroying wetlands,

deforestation, overgrazing, extinction, polluting

PollutionAdditions to air, water or soil that threatens health, survival or activities of living organisms.

Pollutions SourcesNatural (volcanoes)Point source- industry, power plants, house chimneys, automobiles.

Non-point source- agricultural runoff, lawn, streets, parking lot runoff.

Pollution EffectsHuman health damage.Wildlife damage.Property damage.Nuisance effects.

Factors Effecting SeverityChemical nature.Concentration.Persistence (biodegradable vs. non-biodegradable)

Biodegradable means it can be broken down by natural processes.

Non-biodegradable means it persist in the environment or in living tissue building to dangerous levels (biological magnification)

Pollution SolutionsPrevention- recycle, reuse, reduce.Remediation- cleanup. Moves it somwhere else.