Transcript Acid Rain & Toxic Wastes

Acid Rain ► What is it?
• Precipitation w/ lower than
normal pH
• Low pH values (<7) are acidic
AR ► What causes it?
• Sulfur and nitrogen compounds
produced as a result of burning
fossil fuels
–Coal
–Oil
–Natural gas
AR ► Why is it bad?
• Alters the way organisms function
• Disrupts food webs
• Damages human-built structures
AR ► What can be done about it?
• Reduce
dependency
on fossil
fuels
• Neutralize
lakes with
lime
Direct Harvesting ► What is it?
• Destruction or removal of species
in large quantities
• Leads to:
–Over-harvesting
–Extinction
DH ► What causes it?
• People needlessly capture or kill
organisms
–Pets
–Ornaments
–To use body parts
Magic potion made
from ground up
rhino’s horn
Piano keys made
from ivory
DH ► Why is it bad?
• The removal of a single species
can disrupt an entire food web
DH ► What can be done about it?
• Laws have been passed to
protect certain species
• Limitations to hunting and fishing
have been established