The environment, and particularly the aquatic environment, has been focused within in the last years due to the large amount of released chemicals. Thousands of synthetic chemical compounds are currently recorded for use in industry and agriculture, and thousands of tons of these are produced yearly. In addition, several tons of more unintended byproducts produced with these synthetic compounds. Regardless of the source or original intended use, fundamental amounts of these chemicals end up in the aquatic environment due to physicochemical, hydrologic and atmospheric processes. Organic micropollutants as metals and pesticides, if they are taken up by the organism will cause malignant effects to organisms and can reach a target site where they …show more content…
Traditional techniques like chemical precipitation, lime coagulation, solvent extraction, membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, ion exchange and adsorption, are being used for heavy metal ions removal from aqueous wastes. Each process has its own advantages and disadvantages in application (Abbas et al., 2014). Most physical and chemical methods like encapsulation, solidification, stabilization, electrokinetics, vitrification, vapor extraction, and soil washing and flushing require high cost and make the soil unsuitable for plant growth (Marques et al,. 2009). 1.7.1. Disadvantages of traditional metal removal methods Disadvantages of traditional metal removal methods include (1) non complete metal removal, (2) require more reagent and energy, (3) generate toxic sludge or other waste products. Most of these methods are often ineffective or uneconomical when heavy metal concentration is higher than permissible concentration (less than 1 mg /L), which require a high cost when they used for heavy metals disposal from aqueous effluents. (Abbas et al., 2014). Bioremediation processes are very attractive compared to physicochemical methods like electrochemical treatment, ion exchange, precipitation, reverse osmosis, evaporation, and sorption for heavy metal removal because they require lower cost and have higher efficiency at low metal concentrations (Bogdanova et al., 1992; Gadd and White,
The Everglades used to be a very beautiful tourist attraction, but have been largely affected by the existence of pesticides. However, the majority of pesticides is not specifically targeting the pest only but they also affect non-target plants and animals during their application. The Effect of pesticide runoffs on the Everglades is destroying one Florida’s major tourist attractions due to the cultivation of sugar cane just to mention one of those responsible and creates a loss of natural habitat, water pollution, and threatens existence of wildlife. Many pesticides are not easily degradable; they persist in soil, leach to groundwater and surface water and contaminate wide environment.
The copper ions are transferred from the water where they are of a high concentr... ... middle of paper ... ... is likely to be placed and a thorough environmental impact assessment carried out to ensure that the processes do not cause undue environmental damageι. Finally governmental permission must be obtained before commercial activity can take placeι. References α - Article 1 from examination pack: Mining with microbes, John Merson. β - How hydrometallurgy and the SX/EW process made copper the "green" metal, William Dresher. γ - Article 2 from examination pack: Extracting copper from leaching solutions.
The book starts with a foreword that highlights the motivation for having written the book. The book has a table of contents organized into seventeen chapters that highlight the different effect of the use of pesticides to the ecological system within the earth surface. The book is chronologically organized into chapters that flow and express a single idea for the writer. This organization has given the book much readability regarding the flow in its content and format to a
For Shiva, the roots of her argument come from a conflict over two different ideological beliefs. One sees water as a common resource that should be freely available and conscientiously conserved; the other sees water as a market good to be possessed, bought and sold. The market proponents argue that the water crisis can be alleviated by privatizing water: places with more water can sell to places with less water and the higher prices will lead to conservation even though those who control the water.
The Great Lakes are a chain of linked freshwater bodies on the northeastern border of the United States and Canada. They include Lakes Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior: hence the mnemonic HOMES. Currently, and for decades past, humans have exploited the Great Lakes for a myriad of activities including fishing, transportation and as a water source. In recent years, however, research has brought to the fore a pressing issue of conservation ethics. The issue is that of the increasing levels of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the Great Lakes. A 2002 study by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) showed that residential, industrial and agricultural wastewaters in contiguous United States had low levels of a variety of synthetic chemicals such as human and veterinary drugs, synthetic hormones, insecticides and fire retardants (qtd. in Alliance for the Great Lakes). Research has linked PPCPs to adverse effects on wildlife and aquatic species. Accumulation of PPCPs, therefore, is a threat to the Great Lakes ecological balance and it must be curbed before the damage is at an irreversible stage.
Dumping and contact with toxic chemicals have made much of the Great Lakes dangerous. One of the major sources of toxins and pollutants that are polluting the lakes is large farms. The artificial fertilizers and pesticides that are used run off into the water and then into the lakes. Sewage water from cities drains into the lakes when overflowing occurs, contributing to the pollution. Chlorine has to be used as a disinfectant in the drinking water that comes from the lakes.
Fairly inexpensive compared to other techniques, the financial savings of bioremediation is an attractive alternative when used properly. A study conducted by Alper “states that bioremediation is six times lower in cost than incineration and three times cheaper than entombment.” . After the Exxon Valdez spill, the cost to clean the shoreline was less than cost to provide physical washing of the shore for one day. This saves a great deal of money which would be spent on labor hours, and it also allows for time t...
Evidence provided to support these claims of human and wildlife harm is largely from laboratory studies in which large doses are fed to test animals, usually rats or mice, and field studies of wildlife species that have been exposed to the chemicals mentioned above. In laboratory studies, high doses are required to give weak hormone activity. These doses are not likely to be encountered in the environment. However the process of bioaccumulation can result in top-level predators such as humans to have contaminants at levels many million times greater than the environmental background levels (Guilette 1994). In field studies, toxicity caused by endocrine disruption has been associated with the presence of certain pollutants. Findings from such studies include: reproductive disruption in starfish due to PCBs, bird eggshell thinning due to DDT, reproductive failure in mink, small penises in alligators due to DDT and dicofol (Guillette 1994, Colburn et al 1996). In addition, a variety of reproductive problems in many other species are claimed to be associated with environmental contamination although the specific causative agents have not been determined. One recent discovery that complicates the situation is that there are many naturally occurring "phytoestrogens", or chemicals of plant origin that exhibit weak estrogenic properties.
Byrd, John D. Jr., Ph.D., David R. Shaw, Eric P. Webster (1997). PesticidesBenefits and Risks [Online]. http://www.ces.msstate.edu/pubs/pub1962.htm [1997, October 7].
Generally speaking, we face two major issues in trying to get rid of toxic chemicals in our freshwater. The first issue is the fact that we don’t know how to stop the chemicals from getting into our groundwater, as the contamination of groundwater cannot be seen, heard, or felt. If we know how to stop the chemicals from contaminating freshwater, we would be able to prevent water pollution before it gets out of hand.
For hundreds, even thousands of years, human beings have mined for metals and stones, and with the advent of greater technology as well as greater needs, the demands for these resources continue to grow. While these resources benefit our lives in many ways, the effects of mining can be detrimental, and one such effect is the topic of this essay, acid mine drainage (A.M.D.). The causes of A.M.D. will be discussed, along with some of the physical and biological problems associated with it. Some prevention and remediation treatments will also be considered.
E-wastes are including many dangerous chemicals, such as, cadmium, beryllium, and mercury. Therefore, when we disposal the e-waste in the wrong way, these toxics have a high risk of air pollution, soil contamination and absorb into the water. For instance, in Guiyu villages (China), has the highest dioxin in the world, which can cause cancer. In the villages, seven out of ten children have a numerous lead in their body because of the water is polluted (Levin, 2010). Furthermore, according to Lincoln University (New Zealand), these toxic from e-waste can come through the “soil-crop-food-pathway”. These toxics are not able to disintegrate, they exist in the environment for the long time and the risk of exposure will be increased (McAllister, n.d.). Moreover, in several countries, to provide the family income; some people need to work with the e-waste every day (Honorine, 2010). Thus, e-wastes are not only the economical problem. They are also affect the environment and human
There are 2.5 billion pounds of pesticides being applied to agricultural products each year in the United States. This is ten times more than was applied forty years ago. It is still unknown as to what type of exact effects these chemicals may have on individuals. Some farmers that have been using pesticides in their fields and developed leukemia are finding that the cause of their disease is from inhaling pesticides. These chemicals are still in use today and most of them have never been tested for the short or long-term effects that they may have on humans.
Phytoextraction is the uptake and storage of pollutants in the plants stem or leaves. Some plants, called hyperaccumulators, draw pollutants through the roots. After the pollutants accumulate in the stem and leaves the plants are harvested. Then plants can be either burned or sold. Even if the plants cannot be used, incineration and disposal of the plants is still cheaper than traditional remediation methods. As a comparison, it is estimated a site containing 5000 tons of contaminated soil will produce only 20-30 tons of ash (Black, 1995). This method is particularly useful when remediating metals. Some metals are also being recycled from the ash.
Oroian, Viman Oana I. "Damaging Effects of Overall Water Pollution." BioFlux (2010): 113-15. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.