human impacts 3

Human Impacts : 

Human Impacts Water Pollution affecting The Florida Keys Ashlee Nelson BSC2007 Fall 2010

Pollution : 

Pollution Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into an environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms.

Causes of Pollution : 

Causes of Pollution The causes of water pollution are almost entirely due to humans abusing our environment. Without the contributions of our waste, pollution would not be as big of a problem, if at all. Such contributions include, but are not limited to, the following toxins: Sewage and waste water Industrial waste Garbage Oil pollution Underground storage leakages Marine dumping Eutrophication

Effects of Pollution : 

Effects of Pollution Water pollution affects every aspect of life on earth. Plants, animals and humans alike can experience a decrease in reproduction, growth, and quality of life. Contaminated bodies of water are known to cause disease, and even death to those who consume or even come in contact with it. Since every organism is connected through the one before it on the food chain, water pollution is severely detrimental to all living things, as well as the environment around us. This photo is of an albatross that died due to consuming plastic. Plastic bottle caps, etc are just little things that aren’t harmful to us, but that can kill the life of another living being.

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Eutrophication is an increase in the concentration of chemical nutrients in an ecosystem to an extent that increases the primary productivity of the ecosystem. Eutrophication occurs when fertilizers enter the body of water and encourage plant growth in certain species. Some effects of eutrohpication are: Decreased species diversity Less oxygen in immediate environment Increased land mass of plants that take away room from other species Eutrophication

Human Contributions : 

Industrialization, crop dusting, barnyard wastes, suburban development, oil pollution, and negligence of disposal of household products (fertilizers, pool cleaners, garbage, plastic, etc.) are just some of the ways that humans contribute to water pollution. These are things that can easily be prevented, and will help alleviate the problem, if only we were more conscious of our actions. Human Contributions

Personal Contributions : 

Personal Contributions My main contribution to water pollution is the fact that I, shamefully, do not recycle regularly. I live in an apartment complex that doesn’t have readily available recycling facilities so it would take extra effort for me to do so. I don’t own a car, so going to a recycling facility isn’t feasible at the moment. I am living in a house next year with two environmentally conscious women, so I know for a fact that this bad habit I’ve developed at my apartment complex will quickly change.

How We Can Help : 

How We Can Help Reduce the use of fertilizers, and try to use natural fertilizers whenever possible. One idea is to create a compost collection using the remnants of vegetables. Roots and scraps works perfectly as a natural fertilizer and are safe for the environment! Bag organic waste like leaves and grass clippings so that they don’t get washed down storm drains. This reduces clogging and potential chemicals from interacting with our water. Resist washing oil, paint, and other chemicals down the sink as to avoid contamination Use non-toxic household cleaners, like those by the Seventh Generation line of products (View Seventh Generation's Commercial) Recycle and dispose of garbage properly!

Surfrider Foundation : 

The Surfrider Foundation is “a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the worlds oceans, waves, and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education.” Many chapters exist throughout the United States. The chapter assisting with the problem in the Florida Keys is the Sebastian Inlet chapter. Though they are separate groups, chapters all over the state work closely together in order to change the condition of our Earth’s water, and thus, the quality of Earth’s life. http://www.surfrider.org/ Surfrider Foundation

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http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/waterpollution.htm http://www.water-pollution.org.uk/causes.html http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/FieldCourses99/MarineEcologyArticles/WaterPollutionandtheFloriA.html http://www.surfrider.org/ http://www.seventhgeneration.com/ http://www.betruetoblue.com/2009/ Photo credit: http://fakeplasticfish.com/2010/08/ellen-degeneres-please-stop-promoting-bottled-water/ Music credit: Don’t Go Near the Water- The Beach Boys Resources