Unit 5: Southern and East Asia Geography 7 th Grade Social Studies Mrs. Smith

SS7G10: The student will discuss environmental issues across Southern and Eastern Asia A. Describe the causes and effects of pollution on the Yangtze and Ganges River. B. Describe the causes and effects of Air pollution and flooding in India and China.

Essential Questions (SS7G10a-b.) How have Southern and Eastern Asian actions changed the natural environment?

Origin of the Ganges Gangotri Glacier is one of the largest glaciers in the Himalayan Mountains and is the source of the Ganges River that flows through Pakistan and India.

Ganges begins high in the Himalayans Mountains and flows 1600 miles through India and Bangladesh to the bay of Bengal. The river provides water and transportation for over 400 million people.

Causes of water pollution in the Ganges Chemical fertilizers, human waste, decomposing bodies, cremated remains, and animal waste pollute the river. In spite of these issues, the water of the Ganges is still sacred to the people of India.

People bathe in the Ganges. It is a tradition to throw dead bodies in the Ganges, so they can “wash away” Decomposing bodies release chemicals and toxins in the water. This adds to the pollution problem

Pollution of the Ganges Fecal coliform are bacteria that originate in excreta Water borne diseases found in the Ganges include, but not limited too: acute gastrointestinal disease, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis-A, and typhoid.

Sacredness of Mother Ganges

Solution to water pollution in the Ganges In 1985, India began to enforce a program called the Ganges Action Plan to try to clean up the river. Sewage and water treatment plants have been built along the river, but the growing population of India and the run-off from industrial and farm production have hampered clean up efforts.

Yangtze River China’s longest River, flows almost 4,000 miles from the northwestern part of the country to the East China Sea. Pumping stations along the river take water out to supply over 400 million people with water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial uses.

Pollution of the Yangtze Millions of gallons of sewage are dumped into the river along with chemicals from agricultural runoff and industrial waster. Nitrogen from fertilizers and arsenic from industrial uses are leading pollutants found in the Yangtze waters.

Plant species and animals that once lived in the river are disappearing. High levels of nitrogen and phosphates lead to the growth of blue-green algae. This reduces the oxygen in the water causing the fish to die. Contaminated fist are caught and eaten by the Chinese people, leading to health problems.

Solution China is building more water treatment plants and facilities to remove the contaminates from the river. The World Bank (an international organization) is working with the Chinese Government to organize programs to clean up the river.

The Three Gorges Dam is being built along the Yangtze River in central China to provide hydroelectric power to millions of Chinese. Because of the dam, various species of plants and animals are becoming extinct. The dam has also been built in an area prone to earthquakes.

Air Pollution and flooding in China and India Causes of Air pollution India Enormous and growing population Rapid growth of cities Development of industries Automobile emissions In rural area families cook over open fires using wood, animal dung, or coal. Effects of pollution in India Respiratory diseases such as bronchitis. Fuel sources send carbon monoxide, soot, and other chemicals into the air. Pollution produces a brown cloud (haze of pollution) that reduces temperatures and rainfall. Because of economic growth, Indian government find it difficult to enforce laws to prevent air pollution

Causes of air pollution in China Industrial and population growth are leading contributors to air pollution. Using coal to provide energy to the country produces soot, ash, and send chemicals into the atmosphere. Effects of air pollution in China. Respiratory diseases Heart disease Acid rain (harmful to humans, plants, and animals. Acid rain occurs when chemicals in the air mix with moisture in the atmosphere and fall to the ground. Acid rain contains sulfuric acid and nitric acid.

Arguments to prevent air pollution Expenses of health problems tied to air pollution are far greater than any economic profits tied to various industries and activities that contribute to air pollution. Effects of air and water pollution will take many years to show up in the general population. Building the Three Gorges Dam to generate hydroelectric power to the population is another way China is attempting to control air pollution