96
4 Effects of Everyday Activities on the Ecosystem
4.7.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Pollution of the ecosystem disrupts its natural balance, thus affecting organisms
in diverse ways. The introduction of pollutants, like toxic waste, can endanger
various species as well as plants in the area. Also, pollutants such as nitrogen,
phosphate, and oil can immensely impact the ecosystem. These changes can be done
by silencing or inserting a gene into an organism’s genome, which enables humans
to ascertain the genetic constitution of living creatures. It can result in the stoppage
of the oxygen cycle, while polluted water may also affect animals that depend on
water in the lake.
Regarding the water cycle, air pollution leads to the formation of acid rain that
affects lakes, rivers, and the sea. These harm living organisms due to the altered
chemical compositions as well as water quality (Tian et al. 2015). Some of the
factors that contribute to water pollution are organic waste, inorganic chemicals,
substance organic chemicals, and radioactive substances. Contaminants that lead
to water pollution also lead to disruption of the cycle, which is vital for the
maintenance of the planet’s temperature. Water bodies that suffer more damage as a
result of pollution are rivers. Typically, rivers can easily break down and withstand
contaminants, especially when it is degradable. Contrastingly, when the contaminant
level is high, they cannot be eliminated, thus making the water unusable.
Pollution also leads to a reduction in the quantity of oxygen within the oxygen
cycle because of factors such as logging or low vegetation cover. In the absence
of CO 2 in the atmosphere, pollution could also contribute to lower potential
for absorption of ultraviolet (UV) rays and the capacity to withstand ambient
temperature (Tian et al. 2015). High numbers of forest fires lead to higher quantities
of CO 2 within the atmosphere. Regarding the nitrogen cycle, nitrogen being the
most abundant element in the air can combine with oxygen to cause acid rain.
Where do radioactive pollutants emanate from? Identify two sources.
4.7.3 Weather and Climate
Air pollution leads to significant changes in the climate depending on its type. Some
air pollutants could contribute to more global warming. It includes greenhouse gases
(GHGs) like carbon dioxide that causes global warming. Greenhouse gases have
increased in our atmosphere today, thus leading to more global warming. Contrarily,
some air pollutants may slow down the process of global warming and include tiny
particles released by trucks and cars. Such tiny particles are usually called aerosols
and can be made of various things including sulfates, carbon, or mineral dust. Some
4 Effects of Everyday Activities on the Ecosystem
4.7.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Pollution of the ecosystem disrupts its natural balance, thus affecting organisms
in diverse ways. The introduction of pollutants, like toxic waste, can endanger
various species as well as plants in the area. Also, pollutants such as nitrogen,
phosphate, and oil can immensely impact the ecosystem. These changes can be done
by silencing or inserting a gene into an organism’s genome, which enables humans
to ascertain the genetic constitution of living creatures. It can result in the stoppage
of the oxygen cycle, while polluted water may also affect animals that depend on
water in the lake.
Regarding the water cycle, air pollution leads to the formation of acid rain that
affects lakes, rivers, and the sea. These harm living organisms due to the altered
chemical compositions as well as water quality (Tian et al. 2015). Some of the
factors that contribute to water pollution are organic waste, inorganic chemicals,
substance organic chemicals, and radioactive substances. Contaminants that lead
to water pollution also lead to disruption of the cycle, which is vital for the
maintenance of the planet’s temperature. Water bodies that suffer more damage as a
result of pollution are rivers. Typically, rivers can easily break down and withstand
contaminants, especially when it is degradable. Contrastingly, when the contaminant
level is high, they cannot be eliminated, thus making the water unusable.
Pollution also leads to a reduction in the quantity of oxygen within the oxygen
cycle because of factors such as logging or low vegetation cover. In the absence
of CO 2 in the atmosphere, pollution could also contribute to lower potential
for absorption of ultraviolet (UV) rays and the capacity to withstand ambient
temperature (Tian et al. 2015). High numbers of forest fires lead to higher quantities
of CO 2 within the atmosphere. Regarding the nitrogen cycle, nitrogen being the
most abundant element in the air can combine with oxygen to cause acid rain.
Where do radioactive pollutants emanate from? Identify two sources.
4.7.3 Weather and Climate
Air pollution leads to significant changes in the climate depending on its type. Some
air pollutants could contribute to more global warming. It includes greenhouse gases
(GHGs) like carbon dioxide that causes global warming. Greenhouse gases have
increased in our atmosphere today, thus leading to more global warming. Contrarily,
some air pollutants may slow down the process of global warming and include tiny
particles released by trucks and cars. Such tiny particles are usually called aerosols
and can be made of various things including sulfates, carbon, or mineral dust. Some