How Human Activities affect the Environment

Table of Contents Science Process Skills Parts of a Cell Classifying Animals Ecosystems Food Chains/Webs Photosynthesis Symbiotic Relationships Fossils Eco-columns Pollution---------------------------next clean page

Pollution Definition adding harmful substances or products into the environment The use of FOSSIL FUELS are the biggest cause of pollution

What are fossil fuels? Oil, gas, and coal Easy to use and contain a lot of energy They can affect the environment in many ways

Air Pollution Pollutants (such as burning fossil fuels) released into the atmosphere can have harmful effects. Smog Depletion of the ozone layer Creation of acid rain Some causes of air pollution- Car emissions factories

Air Pollution Effects on the environment can include Health risks to living organisms All air pollutants return to the ground in some form which effects the surrounding landscape

Air Pollution

Air Pollution

Air Pollution- Effects of acid rain

Air Pollution-Ozone depletion

Water Pollution When pollutants are added to the water supply Oil spills Fertilizers (chemicals)

Water Pollution When a water supply is contaminated, not only are aquatic plants and animals affected, but also any organism that needs that water to survive

BP Oil Rig Explosion- 2010

BP Oil Rig Explosion- 2010

BP Oil Rig Explosion- 2010

Land Pollution Humans produce hundreds of millions of solid waste each year….. Where does it go?

To a landfill!

To a landfill!

To a landfill!

Human Development/Population Today there are more than 6 billion people on the Earth What does that mean for the planet’s biotic and abiotic factors? Less resources (food, water, land, etc) Loss of habitats

What if……. An ecosystem of forests was destroyed and replaced with a large shopping mall? Predict how this will most likely affect the environment of the area. Result in habitat destruction Decrease in animal population Increase pollution

What if…… As a city’s population grows, wooded areas are replaced by housing developments. What effect will this most likely have on the species in the wooded areas? Many of the species will leave the area Some may die if there is no other habitat available

Pollution Pollution- adding harmful substances or products into the environment The use of fossil fuels is the major cause of pollution Air Land Water Smog Ozone Depletion Acid Rain Solid wastes Landfills Oil spills fertilizers