chapter 2 environmental issues

8/8/2019 Chapter 2 Environmental Issues

1/7

Chapter 2 Environmental Issues

2.1 Water Pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as lakes,

rivers, oceans, and groundwater caused by human activities, which can be

harmful to organisms and plants which live in these water bodies.

Although natural phenomena such as volcanoes, algae blooms, storms,

and earthquakes also cause major changes in water quality and the

ecological status of water, water is typically referred to as polluted when it

impaired by anthropogenic contaminants and either does not support a

human use (like serving as drinking water) or undergoes a marked shift in

its ability to support its constituent biotic communities. Water pollution has

many causes and characteristics. The primary sources of water pollution

are generally grouped into two categories based on their point of origin.

Point-source pollution refers to contaminants that enter a waterway

through a discrete "point source". Examples of this category include

discharges from a wastewater treatment plant, outfalls from a factory,

leaking underground tanks, etc. The second primary category, non-point

source pollution, refers to contamination that, as its name suggests, does

not originate from a single discrete source. Non-point source pollution is

often a cumulative effect of small amounts of contaminants gathered from

a large area. Nutrient runoff in storm water from sheet flow over an

agricultural field, or metals and hydrocarbons from an area with high

impervious surfaces and vehicular traffic are examples of non-point source


2/7

pollution. The primary focus of legislation and efforts to curb water

pollution for the past several decades was first aimed at point sources.

Eutrophication is also one type water pollution in which there is

excessive nutrient in the water bodies. Nutrient runoff is storm water

normally flow over form agriculture field or metals and hydrocarbons from

high impervious surfaces and vehicular traffic is also examples of non-

point source pollution.

Water will pollute with solid waste due to improper construction

procedures and may pollute underground water and river as well. It may

cause flood in the lower area and aquatic organism affected where loose

food source and depletion of dissolved oxygen. Any project in Bako Park

will increases surface run-off which can involve erosion and floods,

exposes it to both wind and water erosion. This erosion usually produces

turbidity in water and sedimentation in the river beds. Other than that,

water pollution can be generated by fuel leakage and the use of

pesticides. In addition, the logs transported by river will leave out dust and

reduce water quality. It will be a problem for locals as their only water

resources was the river.


3/7

2.2 Air Pollution

Air pollution occurs when the atmosphere full with chemicals,

particulate matter and biological materials which can cause harm and

discomfort to all living things. Air pollution will damage the air quality in the

environment and it will cause death and respiratory disease. Source of air

pollution is the emissions from mobile sources such as automobiles and

industry gas. Gases such as carbon dioxide, which contribute to global

warming, have recently gained recognition as pollutants by climate

scientists, while they also recognize that carbon dioxide is essential for

plant life through photosynthesis. The atmosphere is a complex, dynamic

natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth.

Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has long been

recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth's

ecosystems.

Smoke from vehicle used for transportation and combustion of tree

waste will give some bad impacts to the air quality. The measure device

should be applied there. This will be a measurement in order to determine

whether the project indirectly affect the air quality. In order to reduce the

air pollution, the burning of tree waste such dry branch will be done at

different place to protect the existing environment. Smoke or carbon

dioxide from vehicle can be reduced by limited the uses of vehicle per day

by using special device to reduce the release of carbon dioxide as well as

black smoke from the vehicle.


4/7

2.3 Soil Erosion

Erosion is referring carrying away or displacement of solids such as

sediment, soil, rock and sand by wind, rain water, and ice by downward or

down-slope movement in response to gravity or by living organism.

Erosion is also caused by weathering in which the process of chemical or

physical breakdown of the minerals in stocks. Furthermore, erosion is a

noticeable intrinsic natural process but the case was increasing because

of human land use. Erosion will happen normally cause by deforestation,

overgrazing, unmanaged construction activity and road or building. Land

used in agricultural crops plantation show a significant greater rate of

erosion than land under natural vegetation. Reduce vegetation cover on

the surface of the soil will disturbs both soil structure and plants roots that

hold the soil in place. Erosion can be reducing by terrace-building, tree

planting and consecration tillage practices.

Land erosion will occur due to forest clearing implemented.

Indirectly, land erosion might affect the river bank which leads to slit in the

river. Flood might occur due to soil and sand accumulation in the river.

This industry operation can lead to erosion, depletion of soil fertility and

risks of landslides, in some cases, fast growing plantations can gradually

both deplete soil fertility and acidify it.


5/7

2.4 Noise Pollution

Noise can have a detrimental effect on animals by causing stress,

increasing risk of mortality by changing the delicate balance in predator or

prey detection and avoidance, and by interfering with their use of sounds

in communication especially in relation to reproduction and in navigation.

Acoustic overexposure can lead to temporary or permanent loss of

hearing. An impact of noise on animal life is the reduction of usable habitat

that noisy areas may cause, which in the case of endangered species may

be part of the path to extinction. One of the best known cases of damage

caused by noise pollution is the death of certain species of beached

whales, brought on by the loud sound of military sonar. Noise also makes

species communicate louder, which is called Lombard vocal response.

Scientists and researchers have conducted experiments that show whales'

song length is longer when submarine-detectors are on. If creatures don't

"speak" loud enough, their voice will be masked by anthropogenic sounds.

These unheard voices might be warnings, finding of prey, or preparations

of net-bubbling. When one species begins speaking louder, it will mask

other species' voice, causing the whole ecosystem to eventually speak

louder. Zebra finches become less faithful to their partners when exposed

to traffic noise. This could alter a population's evolutionary trajectory by

selecting traits, sapping resources normally devoted to other activities and

thus lead to profound genetic and evolutionary consequences.


6/7

If there is any project in this area, the operation during project

implementation will be followed a particular timetable which is usually

operated from morning till afternoon. The noises from truck that carries

sand and piling pillar will be restrict in day time only. Other machine that

involved in the construction will be reduced their noises by using effectives

tools and component. These precaution steps are important in kept the

fauna (animal) from being disturb by the high frequencies of sound. Most

of animals in the forest greatly depend on hearing, smell and vision for

their living. For example, civet deep in the forest can detect in range 1000

8000 db which mean they can detect any silent moves of preys.


7/7

2.5 Deforestation/Forest Clearing

Forest clearing is refers to the cutting of trees in the forest area.

This activity will affect the flora and fauna which inhabit the particular area.

Forest clearing usually is a must when the forest site will be used as an

area where certain project such as the development of residences

(housing). These clearing site usually reach hundreds of acres for

development purposes. Due to this activity, many habitats for plant and

animal will be massive of destruction. To compensate their loss of habitat,

those animal will be reserved in nearest forest site which similar to the

habitat. Once the most houses completely build, the area will be plant with

the tree or grass to compensate the bare land. Furthermore, many trees

that most abundance in the original ecosystem will be re-plant again in the

residences area.

There will be massive destruction of habitat, land erosion, and also

effect most flora and fauna. Falling trees and skidders are remained. The

number of non target destroyed trees can be higher than that of target

trees. Selected removal of certain species can lead to biodiversity

depletion, while systematic removal of the best trees leads to genetic

erosion. The absence of seed trees endangers the regeneration of the

forest; large gaps in the canopy expose the remaining stands to wind-

throw risks. While endemic species can be threatened by deforestation or

reforestation, the fire risks have to be considered both in the case of

deforestation and reforestation.

chapter 2 environmental issues

Documents