DISCUSSION POST MUST BE 10+ SENTENCES AND THE PEER REVIEWS MUST BE 7+ SENTENCES PLEASE USE YOUR OWN WORDS AND DO NOT COPY FROM OTHER SITES STAY ON TOPIC ,BE POSITIVE , AND DO NOT COMMENT ON GRAMMAR ERRORS. TALK DIRECTLY TO CLASSMATES IN PEER REVIEWS!!! YOU MUST COMPLETE BOTH PEER REVIEWS AND DISCUSSION QUESTION!! THANK YOU

1) DISCUSSION POST

The Most Critical Pollutants

In Chapter 6: The Environment – Part I, Hite and Seitz (2016) note that pollution and global warming were an important concern of the first world conference on the environment that was held in Sweden in 1972. Principle 6 of that declaration stated that we must stop the release of pollutants and heat that cannot be effectively processed by our environment (Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. 1972. Chapter 11. p. 2. <https://www.ipcc.ch/apps/njlite/srex/njlite_download.php?id=6471>).

Thinking about the different types of pollutants and heat that can be effectively processed by our environment, which are the most critical to address? Identify three pollutants you consider to be the most critical to address and explain why you believe they are most important.

2)PEER REVIEW #1 (tyrone)

Hello Everyone,

The first pollutant that I think is most critical to address is water pollution. This is most important to me because it affects all levels of life. From humans to animals to the smallest living organism. It’s more important for human health. We’ll need fresh untainted water for ages to come and if it is polluted from industrial waste and other pollutants we will suffer.

The second pollutant that I think is most critical to address is kind of a toss-up between air pollution and soil pollution… But I’ll go with air pollution… So air pollution is critical to address is because our air is almost affected by everything we do in business or personal life. And like water pollution it has affects all the way down to a smallest living organism. Air pollution affects our food and our bodies so if our air is toxic that we breathe we all suffer.

Lastly, is soil pollution. Soil can become toxic by chemicals, from pesticides to all of the toxic waste from industrial businesses. That pollution pose a threat to animals, humans, and soil itself. Then on top of that is deforestation, which adds fuel to the flame by knocking down trees that we need to help get rid of the toxins in air and soil.

3) PEER REVIEW #2 (ANIKA)

Hello Class and Professor,

Water is vital to life on Earth. Without water, there is no life. Pollution from coal-fired power plants is one of the biggest sources of toxic pollution. These plants release billions of pounds of pollution into streams and lakes. The pollutants include lead and mercury which can cause tremendous problems to humans and the water ecosystems (Clean Water Action, 1). Mercury can build up in organisms and affect organisms up the food chain. Mercury can alter genetic systems, damage nervous and reproductive systems (U.S. Department of Interior, 2).

Lead is also a threat to the environment. Lead exposure may cause humans to have kidney and brain damage as well as weakness and anemia. It can cross the placenta in pregnant women and damage the developing baby’s nervous system and affect intelligence. It can cause miscarriages and mental retardation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3).

When we discuss the effects of carbon dioxide pollution, we normally do so in regards to air pollution. Carbon dioxide pollution is also found in the oceans. The oceans absorb about 1/3 of the carbon dioxide which increases the acidic level. The increase in the acidity level affects aquatic life, specifically clams, mussels, and oysters (American Chemical Society, 4).

Sources

1. Clean Water Action. 2017. Closing the Floodgates. https://www.cleanwateraction.org/publications/closing-floodgates.
2. U.S Department of Interior. 2000. Mercury in the Environment. http://www.usgs.gov/themes/factsheet/146-00/index.htm.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2018. Health Problems Caused by Lead. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/health.html.
4. American Chemical Society. 2012. Carbon Dioxide From Water Pollution. ://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2012/acs-presspac-october-24-2012/carbon-dioxide-from-water-pollution-as-well-as-air-pollution-may-adversely-impact-oceans.html.