Food safetyEnvironmental Pollution

The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region The concept of the natural environment can be distinguished by components:

-Complete ecological units that function as natural systems without massive human intervention, including, soil, rocks, atmosphere and natural phenomena that occur within their boundaries.

-Universal natural resources and physical phenomena that lack clear-cut boundaries, such as air, water, and climate

One of the massive problem that the world has been facing since after world war II is the environmental pollution, it is the contaminants in a natural environment that causes instability, disorder or harm to the ecosystem.

The environment before the industrial revolution

Industrial Revolution is a double-edged sword, it improved the quality of human life and caused damages progressively to the environment

The Industrial Revolution began in England in the middle of the 18th century.  A variety of ingenious inventions paved the way for machines to be used in production.

Agriculture was also affected by industrialization.  More advanced machines and techniques for farming became available.  These new methods caused the soil to degenerate and increased the amount of land used in farming - ruining animal habitats.

Forms of pollutionHere are some of the forms of pollution which consist our subject:-Air pollution-Soil contamination-Water pollution

• Air pollutionIt is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment

Air pollution is the most dangerous kind of all pollutions, because it spreads fast all over the world, and of course as many other pollutions air pollution affects plants it can be evident in several ways. Injury to foliage(tree leaves) may be visible in a short time and appear as necrotic lesions (dead tissue), or it can develop slowly as a yellowing of the leaf. There may be a reduction in growth of various portions of a plant. Plants may be killed outright.

• Water pollution

Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water without enough treatment to remove harmful compounds.Water pollution affects , plants, and organisms living in bodies of water such as rivers, oceans and lakes.

Causes of water pollution- Pathogens (such as: bacteria, fungi and algae) - Chemical and other contaminants, it contains organic and inorganic

substances (organic such as: food processing waste, trees and bushes. And inorganic such as: chemical waste, fertilizers and heavy metals)

- Thermal pollution: it’s the rise or fall in the temperature of a natural body of water caused by human influence. It results in a change in the physical properties of water and it decreases the oxygen level in water (which can kill fish) moreover it affects ecosystems.

Effects

Water pollution effects on plantsThe effect would include acid rain. Sulfuric and nitric acid rain washes nutrients out of the soil, damages the bark and leaves of trees and harms the fine root hairs of many plants which are needed to absorb water.

• Soil contaminationIt is caused by the presence of human-made chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment.

CausesThis type of contamination or pollution typically arises from the rupture of underground storage tanks, application of pesticides, leaking of polluted surface water to subsurface strata, oil and fuel dumping. The most common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, lead and other heavy metals.

EffectsPolluted soil directly affects human health through direct contact with soil or via inhalation. Health consequences from exposure to soil contamination vary greatly depending on pollutant type. Chronic exposure to chromium, lead and other metals, petroleum, solvents, and many pesticide and herbicide formulations can be carcinogenic, can cause congenital disorders, or can cause other chronic health conditions.

Polluted soil also affects on plans, it includes the overuse of pesticides which selects for resistant strains of insects and weeds and the loss of topsoil.

Ancient cultures environment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_environment

http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/History/results_of_the_industrial_revo.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution#Health_effects

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/01-015.htm

http://www.pat-med.k12.ny.us/schools/hs/departments/science/coveney/4plants.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_pollution#Causes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_contamination

http://www.wondercomments.com/holidays/environment_day/environment_day_comment_graphic_04.jpg

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