Nuclear Waste
Many countries use nuclear fuel to generate electrical power.Nuclear fuel is highly radioactive (meaning it gives off radiation, or heat). It also stays radioactive for thousands of years. Which is why it's such a big threat to the environment. Radioactive waste is either
A) Long- lived or
B) Short- lived
This refers to how long it stays radioactive. Radioactive waste is also classified as high-level or low-level, this refers to its level of radiation. Around 90% of radioactive waste in the world is low- level.
There are four main environmental effects of nuclear waste. They are : leakages, uranium mining, nuclear waste, and reactor meltdown. " Leakages, both radioactive and non-radioactive, from nuclear reactors harm the environment and population. The most detrimental potential impact to the water quality and aquatic systems is the discharge from the heat dissipitation system accounting for the largest volumes of water would potentially be impacted by water from the cooling ponds seeping into the underlying water table." (www.geocities.com) Radioactive waste is always buried deep underground. Away from the environment, the only downside to it is the radioactive waste will be around for along time. So if an earthquake or anything opened up a crack in the ground, the waste would come out.
These are some ways people could be exposed to radiation right now:
A) inhalation of contaminated air.
B) drinking or eating from an animal that grazes on pastures that had radioactive waste.
C) eating vegetables grown near the site.
D) drinking untreated water or eating fish caught near the discharge.
by Rodrigo C.
Pollution in Germany Germany's environmental problems started during the 1960's. the automobile industry combined with ships and nuclear energy sources led to massive pollution. But, how bad is it really? Is it so bad that it cant be fixed? Car traffic and industry are responsible for much of the air pollution in Germany. Cars release nasty chemicals into the air that are bad for both humans and the environment. Acid rain (which is caused by automobiles) is destroying the forests. There is also nuclear waste buried beneath the ground. Germany has been taken over by machines, automobiles, factories, all this has caused massive pollution. This pollution is starting to affect people, and it will all get much worse if no one does anything. by Rodrigo C
Air Pollution
" Automobile traffic and industry are responsible for much of the air pollution in Germany. About 43 million automobiles were registered in the Federal Republic at the end of 2000. " ( www.germany-info.org)
Sulphur dioxide, & particulate matter are the most significant pollutants coming from automobiles and industrial sources. It's been shown that these pollutants can affect the respiratory health of kids. Major effects are decreased exercise capacity, increased respiratory symptoms, lung inflammation, and decreases in lung efficiency. Aside from that, automobile exhaust also contains benzene. Benzene is a harmful chemical that can also be found in cigarrette smoke. " Benzene exposure can result in a diminished number of blood cells, or total bone marrow loss. ( www.nutramed.com) Studies on the role of traffic close to schools have shown ill effects on the children attending the schools. These include reduced lung function and higher asthma rates. It's also been estimated that in a year, and in 3 different countries more than 290,000 episodes of bronchitis and 160,000 asthma attacks were caused by being exposed to air pollution caused by traffic and industry.by Rodrigo C.
Acid Rain
Only 30% of forests in Germany remain unaffected by acid rain.
Acid rain is a by-product of air pollution. Acid rain is sulphur dioxide ( which comes from car exhaust) and similar chemicals mixed with the air and rain. It has affected 70% of forests in Germany. Its effects on trees are:
A) falling onto the trees and killing the leaves and needles.
B) Falling into the soil and stunting the tree's growth, also weakening the bark to make it more vulnerable to bugs and weather.
Acid rain is also affecting the lakes and streams. Acid rain falls at the worst time it possibly could, which is during springtime. Right when the fish are laying their eggs. The fish become poisoned and pass it on to anything (or anyone) that eats it. Other effects on fish are losing their ability to reproduce and stunting their growth.
Buildings are also being threatened by acid rain. " Every type of material will become eroded sooner or later by the effects of the climate. Water, wind, ice, and snow all help in the erosion process, but unfortunately, acid rain can help to make this natural process even quicker. Statues, buildings, vehicles, pipes and cables can all suffer. The worst affected are things made from limestone or sandstone as these types of rock are particularly susceptible and can be affected by air pollution in gaseous form as well as by acid rain." ( www.yptenc.org.uk) This could lead to big problems in the future. Homeless people, buildings collapsing. Just another awful effect of pollution.by Rodrigo C.