Major Environmental Threats: Water, Soil, Air Pollution
Inland Water Pollution
Freshwater is essential for life on Earth, but due to increasing population and industrial activity, pollution of rivers, lakes, and groundwater is steadily increasing.
Causes of Inland Water Pollution
- Industry: Inland waters are vulnerable to toxic poisoning.
- Sewage, Urban, and Industrial Waste: Everyday, collective discharges pollute inland water bodies.
- Farming: Use of products like herbicides and pesticides pollutes freshwaters.
- Accidents: Accidental dumping of radioactive waste.
The Journey of Human Development and Natural Selection
Evolution
Evolution is the change in the characteristics of a species over several generations, relying on the process of natural selection.
- The theory of evolution is based on the idea that all species are related and gradually change over time.
- Evolution relies on genetic variation, which affects the physical characteristics of an organism.
Human Evolution
Human evolution is the process by which human beings developed on Earth from now-extinct primates.
According to the scientist Charles Darwin (1809–1882)
Read MoreUnderstanding Earth’s Environment: Constituents, History, and Challenges
Understanding Our Environment
The environment encompasses everything around us, and we must strive to keep our cities, schools, homes, and all places we inhabit clean. This document presents an investigation into the environment.
Concept of the Environment
The environment is defined as a set of abiotic factors (solar energy, water, air, and soil) and biotic factors (living organisms) that together form the thin layer of the living biosphere called Earth, which is home to all living things.
Constituents
Read MoreEarth’s Dynamic Systems: Spheres, Geology, and Rock Cycles
Understanding Earth’s Spheres
The Earth is composed of four interconnected parts or spheres, each defined by its primary element:
- Biosphere: From “bio,” meaning life.
- Atmosphere: From “atmos,” meaning vapor, referring to the gaseous layer.
- Geosphere: From “geo,” meaning earth, referring to the solid Earth.
- Hydrosphere: From “hydro,” meaning water, referring to all water on Earth.
The Geosphere: Earth’s Solid Foundation
The geosphere encompasses the solid Earth, from its surface features to its deepest
Read MoreGeological Foundations: Rocks, Water, and Site Stability
Mineralogical and Structural Features of Common Rocks
Granite
Mineralogy of Granite
The essential minerals of granite are K-feldspar and quartz. Common accessory minerals include mica or hornblende.
Texture and Structure of Granite
The texture of granite varies from fine-grained to very coarse-grained. Equigranular texture is common in granite, though some varieties may show a porphyritic texture. Granite typically exhibits a massive structure.
Mode of Occurrence of Granite
Granites commonly occur as major
Read MoreForest Management and Tree Nursery Operations
Forestry and Silviculture Fundamentals
Silviculture involves the continued exploitation and management of forest resources for sustainable use.
Key Forestry Concepts
- Reforestation: The action of restocking or the process that allows the re-establishment of a forest in an area that previously had forest cover.
- Afforestation: The implantation of forests in land that has never had natural tree vegetation.
- Artificial Regeneration: The creation of artificial forests through human intervention, such as direct