Environment
This topic focuses on ecological issues, the role of mankind and what we can do for the sustainable future of our planet
Exercise 3
In the sectors of household, industry and agriculture one comes into contact with the natural resource water. From various media sources reporting on pollution we hear again and again about the fact that this contact is not always environmentally friendly and sustainable. In the 70s and 80s, many rivers in Europe were so badly polluted that fish deaths were everyday events. Nowadays there are strict environmental standards here, so industries have increasingly moved their production to developing and emerging economies, and thus moved the environmental problems with it. Industry is responsible for the majority of water pollution due to its poisonous waste products. These materials are usually not biodegradable, but rather poisonous and can find their way into the water supply through inadequate disposal methods or industrial accidents (burst pipes, tanker accidents etc). However, overuse of manure and the excessive use of artificial fertilisers as well as insecticides (pesticides) also have a strong impact on the water supply. Through these processes large concentrations of chemical materials make their way into our ecosystem. Finally people also pollute water by disposing of products containing poisonous materials (batteries, medication, paint etc) as household waste or sewage. How does this water pollution actually affect plants, animals and people?
Do research on the consequences of water pollution for plants, animals and people on the Internet. If you’re interested you can use the reports and links below or do research on your own. But pay attention to use reliable sources. Write the results of your research in the tables underneath:
Helpful links
http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/water/water_facts/en/index.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/03/science/earth/03water.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.water-pollution.org.uk/