Introduction
Cadmium (Cd) toxicity is one of the most harmful heavy metal contaminations which could severely affect the environment in a number of ways and in turn affect the living population within that environment. This however can be due to a variety of issues such as environmental disruption or human activity. Cadmium is classed as a Class D heavy metal, meaning, “It does not have a known biological function and can be toxic even when in low amounts”. This very toxic water-soluble heavy metal is a by-product during mining, extraction or removing impurities from ores with Copper, Lead and Zinc.
One of the well-known disasters in history is Thailand’s cadmium contamination due to zinc mining by humans. It has been a topic talked about due to its significant impact on the land it has affected and its influence on human health. There have been a number of treatment/removal plans introduced for Cadmium contamination such as Phytoremediation (using plants to remove heavy metal contamination from soil). “However, effective treatment depends on using an appropriate cadmium hyperaccumulator plant that is suitable for growth within the local environmental condition” (Phaenark et al., 2009).
Environmental Effects of Cadmium
The Mae Sot District in the Tak Province situated in North-western part of Thailand is famous for their rice-based crop cultivations. Unfortunately, due to its neighboring zinc mines, the soils within these areas have resulted with Cd contamination affecting the rice grains and other food products grown in the area. The crops planted within these soils can potentially result with Cd accumulation and eventually killing the plant due to Cd poisoning. According to the food safety standards in Thailand, “an appropr...
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...a. Diseases like chronic renal failure, tubular dysfunction and lung diseases can be very fatal but unfortunately are one of the few consequences of exposure to Cd. The zinc mines not only contaminated the cultivation but also the waters downstream from these mines. The Marine life therefore as a result accumulates elements of this very toxic heavy metal poisoning the rest of the food chain. Measures to control Cd contamination can be taken in order to reduce exposure to Cd but however, only up to a certain limit as most approaches towards clean up can be quite expensive. Banning of fishing by the government within these waters was one of the first approaches taken in order to reduce exposure. Other measure for example, Phytoremediation can be a solution, however, a very expensive solution. A number of plant species have been discovered to be Cd hyperaccumulators.
Añasco, N., Uno, S., Koyama, J., Matsuoka, T., Kuwahara, N. (2010): Assessment of pesticide residues in freshwater areas affected by rice paddy effluents in Southern Japan.
The first think that I see when I walk outside everyday is the layer of haze that looms across the Wasatch Front. It doesn’t surprise me that The American Lung Association gave Salt Lake City an F, on our “State of the Air” report card. (American Lung Association,2013).What companies are the biggest contributor to our pollution? Should our children suffer the consequences of pollution? There are many causes and effects of pollution along the Wasatch Front, which includes large industrial companies, commercial companies and household pollution.
Zinc is slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, and of inhalation.
Throughout the years, media has advanced along with technology. They now range in sizes, small to large, and weight, heavy and light. The means of communication we have used evolved from newspapers to televisions, social media, and the list goes on. They aid people in keeping us connected and keeping them informed of new products and of the environment. Media is an important part of the lives of neighbors, friends, family members, and the rest of the world. It is how they all stay connected. significant why it matters Why: mold the children molds the world. Affects how they act, feel, act towards others, and how they react to different events in their lives.
Every year, an estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste enters our environment, severely polluting oceans, beaches, forests, and even the towns and cities we live in. In the ocean alone, it is believed that 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic pollutes the waters (“Plastic Statistics”, Ocean Crusaders).The majority of plastic pollution can be traced back to single-use items, such as grocery bags, bottles, and plastic packaging. According to United Nations Environment, “At the rate we are dumping items such as plastic bottles, bags and cups after a single use, by 2050 oceans will carry more plastic than fish…” (“UN Declares War on Ocean Plastic”, UN Environment). This pollution is a major problem and endangers not only the environment, but human
There are many ways to be exposed to dioxins by eating beef, pork, chicken, milk, cheese, shell fish and fish; this is more than 90% of the intake of CDDs for the general population. Also, breathing low levels in the air and drinking water. Skin contact with pesticides and herbicides, living near an uncontrolled hazardous waste site containing CDDs or incinerators releasing CDDs. People working in industries that are producing pesticides, working at paper and pulp mills are being exposed to CDDs. They are produced primarily during the incineration or burning of waste; many materials contain chlorine, plastics, wood treated with (PCP), pesticide-treated wastes and even bleached paper can produce CDDs. CDDs are released during combustion of fossil fuels; coal, oil, natural gas and wood. CDDs have been detec...
For hundreds, even thousands of years, human beings have mined for metals and stones, and with the advent of greater technology as well as greater needs, the demands for these resources continue to grow. While these resources benefit our lives in many ways, the effects of mining can be detrimental, and one such effect is the topic of this essay, acid mine drainage (A.M.D.). The causes of A.M.D. will be discussed, along with some of the physical and biological problems associated with it. Some prevention and remediation treatments will also be considered.
Today's waters are constantly being treated like sewage dumps or trash cans. We use them as garbage cans every day polluting the water more and more. "Pollution is often by way of rivers, drains and outflow pipes." Causing an outflow of sewage into our ocean waters. This is not only affecting the community but also the marine life and other sea creatures living in the ocean." This pollution includes human sewage and domestic waste water, factory outflows of acids and poisonous metals, engine oil from roadside drains and garages, farm chemicals washed off the land by rain, building-site rubble, nuclear waste from power plants, and oil from wells, refineries, and tankers." Stating that most of today's waste is from factory or factory ran products that shouldn't be polluting the water
Phytoextraction is the uptake and storage of pollutants in the plants stem or leaves. Some plants, called hyperaccumulators, draw pollutants through the roots. After the pollutants accumulate in the stem and leaves the plants are harvested. Then plants can be either burned or sold. Even if the plants cannot be used, incineration and disposal of the plants is still cheaper than traditional remediation methods. As a comparison, it is estimated a site containing 5000 tons of contaminated soil will produce only 20-30 tons of ash (Black, 1995). This method is particularly useful when remediating metals. Some metals are also being recycled from the ash.
One of the biggest problems with gold mining in South Africa is the disposal of the overburden from the mines. Another problem is the use and disposal of the cyanide solutions which are used to extract and dissolve the gold. Cyanide is a well known poison and is very toxic for humans. Cyanide is also very dangerous to plants and animals as even small amounts of cyanide can be dangerous to them. To produce just one single fine ounce (about 31,104 g) they need about 3.3 tons of ore, 5440 litres of water, 572 kilowatt ...
The result was not good news for oysters that were in the warmest environment. Three weeks after the beginning of cadmium exposure, half of the oysters in the warmest environment were dead and those exposed at 24°C lost 6% of their population (Raloff, 2005). The good news is that all of the oysters in the coolest temperature survived. This could mean that the oysters are prepared for fluctuation in water temperature. However, if the water temperature was suddenly raised too high, there would be no time for the animals to adjust and the environment would then therefore be harmful to their
Solid waste can be classified in different types, depending on their source, household waste is generally classified as municipal waste; industrial waste as hazardous waste or hospital waste as infections waste. It quite obvious that South Africa environment is deteriorated by the illegal dumping area that around here. Solid waste is a major problem this country is facing at the moment. The province that is experience this major problem is Gauteng province, this an urban area am taking about, and since it’s clear that over population is the cause of the problem. Gauteng province is an over populated than rural area .solid waste pollution is refuse or garbage that people use in their everyday life in their house, such as plastic
Mine Tailings. (2008). The University of Arizona Superfund Research Program (SBRP). Retrieved February 12, 2011, from http://superfund.pharmacy.arizona.edu/Mine_Tailings.php
The final phase of research (2009-2012) will look at how phytoremediation plants might be able to produce materials such as precious wood, fibres, chemicals, essential oils, dyes, gums, and recoverable minerals and metals for secondary industries, and thus help local communities.
What is pollution? Pollution is a detrimental enemy to all species that walk on earth. It is a product of mankind carbon foot print on the environment. It consists of chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals, and plants. Pollution occurs when pollutants contaminate the natural surrounding; which brings about changes that affect our normal lifestyles adversely. Pollutants are the key elements of pollution which are generally waste materials of dissimilar forms. Pollution disturbs our ecosystem and the balance in the environment. With innovation and development in our lives pollution has reached its peaks; giving rise to global warming and human illness. When raw materials, water, energy and other resources