RNR 1001 : Test 2
Document Summary
Environmental problems (start of test 2)9/19/2012 8:32:00 pm. As we have talked about, degradation of the planet"s environment has accompanied human population growth throughout history. Reductions in biodiversity, habitat complexity, biological productivity, and ecosystem process integrity due to human activities. Pollution has contributed to this degradation- substances that are released into the environment that are either toxic, or are released in such magnitude (or both!) that they can not be processed by affected ecosystems. Acute toxicity results in damage from a single exposure (ex: hydrogen sulfide) Emitted from paper and pulp and asphalt plants, waste treatment plants, etc. Chronic toxicity results from combined exposure and accumulation of toxic compounds (ex: mercury) Worldwide industrial emissions, accumulation in fish/ shellfish as methylmercury. Neurological problems, brain development, visual, significant bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Pollutants can be solid, liquid, gaseous, and are found everywhere on the planet.
