Environmental Issues: Atmosphere, Soil, and Energy

Posted on May 12, 2024 in Geology

Layers of the Atmosphere

Troposphere

The layer of Earth in contact with the surface, its average thickness is 12 km. It contains all weather and the majority of gases that form the atmosphere. This layer meets the conditions for the development of life on Earth.

Stratosphere

This layer extends from the troposphere to a height of 50 km. It is formed by layers of gases and here we find the ozone layer that protects living things from the damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Ionosphere

This layer reaches a height of 400 km and has hardly any gas. This layer reflects radio waves and allows TV signals to be bounced back to land and received in other parts of the Earth’s surface.

The Two Faces of Ozone

Oxygen gradually increased during most of 2000 million years. It has been essential to life, and its transformation into ozone in the stratosphere allowed the creation of a protective shield hindering the passage of ultraviolet radiation, which made it possible for forms of aquatic life to colonize land. The radioactive emissions of ozone and oxygen in the stratosphere prevent ultraviolet rays from passing. However, when ozone is in the troposphere, it is a pollutant because its high oxidizing power can be harmful to human health and the environment.

The Loss of Fertile Soil

Deforestation

Massive destruction of forests for various purposes, e.g., to increase livestock grazing or to create vast areas devoted to intensive agriculture of few species. Besides, the planting of the same species accelerates the deterioration of the land by demanding all the same nutrients. This is not just a problem in developing countries, but also in Europe, where landscapes have been changing to have very productive crops.

Desertification

Increased erosion caused by wind and water dragging the surface layer richer in humus.

Contamination

Due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and human settlement activities. Toxic minerals, pesticides, herbicides, etc., enter the food chain and are unable to be degraded by soil fast enough.

Growth of Cities

It is another aspect of fertile soil loss. Human beings have always preferred to settle in fertile areas and pollute the environment.

Clean Energy

  • Geothermal: Harnesses the heat from the Earth but can emit deadly gases and CO2 in addition to contaminating soil and water.
  • Hydraulic: Harnesses the energy potential of water bodies but provokes environmental impact by building reservoirs.
  • Tidal and Wave: Gets very little useful energy in relation to the economic and environmental costs.
  • Biomass: Disposes of organic waste and produces useful energy.
  • Biofuels: Biodiesel and bioethanol have greater acceptance, but do not reduce CO2 emissions.
  • Solar: Solar hot water, central thermal, and photovoltaic cells.
  • Wind:

Desertification

Intensification of aridity, that is, fertile soil loss caused by the low productivity of ecosystems. The removal of vegetation cover is not only due to lack of water, but also indiscriminate felling of forests, grazing done at an intensity greater than nature can handle, forest fires, the boom in residential areas, or agriculture in unsuitable areas. Almost half the planet is dry and home to about 2 billion people, including droughts, famine, disease, and loss of biodiversity. Experts defend measures that are based on proper management of water, cover and protect the land, and promote coexistence between crops and grazing in unsuitable areas. Recovery efforts are slow and costly because they require seed banks, the reintroduction of species, or the containment of erosion.

Waste

Although those associated with solid garbage are often the least aggressive to the environment, liquid wastewater from homes and industries has a high contaminating power. Gaseous emissions from human activity alter the natural composition of the atmosphere. Residues may come from: farming, ranching, fishing, forestry, mining, health centers, hospitals, homes, businesses, and constructions. The three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Biodegradation is the natural process by which microorganisms consume certain chemicals, thereby eliminating waste over time.

Ecological Footprint


surface is needed to produce the resources it consumes a PEROSNAS or a certain amount, so as to absorb the waste it generates. it is estimated that the mean is en2, 85 acres / persona.pero why poor countries have a very small footprint in comparison with developed that are larger, they consume more.