RNR 1001 : RNR Exam 2
Document Summary
As we have talked about, changes to earth"s environment have accompanied human population growth throughout history: anthropogenic reductions in biodiversity, habitat complexity, biological productivity, and the integrity of ecosystem processes. Pollution has contributed significantly to these changes substances that are released into the environment that are either toxic, or are released in such magnitude (or both) that they cannot be processed by affected ecosystem(s) Acute toxicity results in damage from a single exposure, e. g. , hydrogen sulfide (h2s) Emitted from paper and pulp and asphalt plants, waste treatment plants, etc. Absorbed by lungs, irritation, breathing problems, loss of consciousness, death. Chronic toxicity results from continued exposure and accumulation of toxic compounds, e. g. , mercury (hg: worldwide industrial emissions, accumulation in fish and shellfish as methylmercury, neurological problems, brain development, visual, motor skills, significant bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Heat: manure 10,000 cattle, 260 tons of manure a week. For these pollutants, it is the amount, rather than the toxicity, that alter the ecosystem.
