Pollution

Pollution:

Population growth is an increase in population over time. There is increases in food production, medicines and better living conditions which means more babies survive to have young of their own.

As the human population increases we need more water and more food. Crops often grow better with fertiliser added to soil. 

Everything that we use every day requires resources, this includes fossil fuels to generate electricity to make them.

If we aren't careful about making resources we risk releasing pollutants and damaging organisms. Sulfur dioxide gas is released when fossil fuels are burnt. It pollutes the air if concentration is too high.

Eutrophication is the addition of chemicals to water, nitrates and phosphates, which encourage plant growth.

As nutrient concentration increases organisms in the water are affected. This leads to decrease in oxygen concentration and death of many animals.

Key Words:

Population growth

Fertiliser

Pollutants

Eutrophication

Questions:

1. Why is there an increase in population?

2. Why is fertiliser use increasing?

3. How is eutrophication caused?

4. How can it damage the environment?

What you should Know:

How to analyse interpret and evaluate data on global population change.

How the increase in human population contributes to an increase in th eproduction of pollutants, including phosphates, nitrates and sulfur dioxide.

How eutrophication occurs and the problems associated in a aquatic environment.