Chapter 4 Section 1 - Environmental Problems

Objectives  List five kinds of pollutants.  Distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable resources.  Describe the impact of exotic species.  Explain why human population growth has increased.  Describe how habitat destruction affects biodiversity.  Give two examples of how pollution affects humans.

Pollution  An unwanted change in the environment caused by substances  Anything that causes pollution is a pollutant  Some are natural events, volcanic eruptions  Many are human-made

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1. Garbage average American throws away more trash than a person in any other nation trash often goes to a landfill  Landfills have medical waste, lead paint, and hazardous wastes  Hazardous waste - wastes that can catch fire, eat through metal, explode, or make people sick

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2. Chemicals need and use many chemicals but may harm the environment

3. High-Powered Wastes Nuclear power plants provide electricity but produce radioactive wastes

4. Gases the amount of carbon dioxide has increased, trapping heat around Earth

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5. Noise loud noises affect ability to hear and think clearly may damage your hearing

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Resource Depletion  renewable resource one that can be replaced at the same rate at which it is used ○ Solar ○ Wind  nonrenewable resource one that cannot be replaced or that can be replaced only over thousands or millions of years Will not last forever Minerals Fossil fuels ○ Oil ○ Coal  Renewable or Nonrenewable? Scientists used to think that fresh water was a renewable resource. However, in some areas, it is being used faster than they are being replaced.

Exotic Species  an organism that makes a home for itself in a new place outside its native home  often thrive in new places (no natural predators)  can become pests and compete with native species  People may carry plant seeds, animals eggs, or adult organisms with them as they move from one part of the world to another.

Exotic Species

Human Population Growth  Overpopulation when the number of individuals becomes so large that the individuals can’t get the resources they need to survive  Some people argue that there may eventually be too many people on Earth.

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Habitat Destruction  An organism’s habitat is where it lives.  When land is cleared for construction, crops, mines, or lumber, organisms that were living there may be left without food and shelter and may die.  Biodiversity Every habitat has a number and variety of organisms If a habitat is damaged or destroyed, biodiversity is lost.

Biodiversity

Forest Habitats Deforestation clearing of forest lands

Marine Habitats oil spills spilled oil pollutes both open waters and coastal habitats chemicals and plastics are sometimes dumped

Effects on Humans  Pollution and habitat destruction also affect humans. Sometimes, the effect is immediate. Sometimes, the damage is not apparent right away.  Anything that harms other organisms may eventually harm people, too. Caring for the environment means being aware of what is happening now and looking ahead to the future.

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Five major kinds of pollution include garbage, chemicals, high-powered wastes, and 1. dirt and grime. 2. gases and noise. 3. trash and water. 4. biodegradable and volcanic wastes.

An organism that makes a home for itself in a new place is called a(n) 1. endangered species. 2. new species. 3. strange species. 4. exotic species. Countdown 10

An example of habitat destruction is 1. planting trees. 2. cleaning up oil spills. 3. clearing a tropical rain forest. 4. preventing nonpoint-source pollution. Countdown 10

The number and variety of organisms in a given area at a certain time is called 1. overpopulation. 2. ecology. 3. biodiversity. 4. kingdoms. Countdown 10

Wastes that can catch fire, wear through metal, explode, or make people sick are 1. pesticides. 2. hazardous wastes. 3. critical wastes. 4. garbage. Countdown 10

Pollution can affect humans by causing 1. measles and mumps. 2. mumps and cancer. 3. colds and flu. 4. cancer and respiratory problems. Countdown 10

The northern snakehead fish was introduced into North America from Asia. It is an example of a(n) 1. plant species. 2. endangered species. 3. exotic species. 4. renewable species. Countdown 10

Which of the following is NOT an example of a renewable resource? 1. solar energy 2. wind energy 3. some kinds of trees 4. coal Countdown 10

Which of the following is an unwanted change in the environment that is caused by harmful substances? 1. conservation 2. garbage 3. nonrenewable resources 4. pollution Countdown 10

What is an organism’s home called? 1. a habitat 2. an environment 3. a house 4. a neighborhood Countdown 10

Many scientists believe that increased global temperatures are due to 1. increased carbon dioxide. 2. increased PCBs. 3. decreased pollution. 4. decreased chemicals. Countdown 10

Which of the following is an example of a natural source of pollution? 1. a factory 2. an automobile 3. a volcano 4. chemicals Countdown 10

People from which nation throw away more trash than people from other nations? 1. England 2. United States 3. Kenya 4. Japan Countdown 10

Radioactive wastes are hazardous wastes that give off 1. bad odors. 2. light. 3. radiation. 4. loud, irritating sounds. Countdown 10

Solar energy is an example of this kind of resource. 1. renewable 2. nonrenewable 3. fossil fuel 4. hazardous Countdown 10