Effects on Ecosystems

Oil Spills

The Atmosphere and Ecosystems

•Acid Rain Acid rain, which is caused by airborne pollutants that lower the pH of rain, has damaged many forests and lakes, especially in the Northeast.

Section 1

The Ozone Layer

What is Destroying Ozone? Destruction of the ozone layer is caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS), and several other manufactured chemicals.

The Ozone Hole

• Satellite images taken over the South Pole have revealed that the ozone concentration is lower over Antarctica than elsewhere in the earth's atmosphere, and is called the ozone hole.

Section 1

Global Temperature

•The Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect occurs when greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, trap heat within Earth's atmosphere.

Is Global Warming Occurring?

• Many scientists think that the increased concentrations of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has led to global warming, but the matter remains controversial.

Often it is important to analyze change over time, a process called longitudinal analysis.

• The release of toxic chemicals, such as pesticides, into the environment can have serious effects, particularly when their concentration is magnified by food chains.

Agricultural Chemicals and Biological Magnification

Section 2

Effects on Ecosystems

Loss of Resources•Extinction of Species The earth is losing many potentially valuable and irreplaceable species, with about 10 percent on the brink of extinction.•Loss of Topsoil The rich topsoil cannot be replaced and is being lost at a rate of 10 centimeters each decade.

Ground-Water Pollution and Depletion Large amounts of

ground water are being removed from many aquifers far faster than natural processes can replenish it.

Growth of the Human Population•Worldwide Rates of Growth Rapid growth of the human population place serious stress on the Earth's ecosystems.

A day in the life of Carbon

1. Write the name of something that you eat that photosynthesizes.

2. Write the name of something that eats that thing (besides you)

3. Write the name of something you eat that came from either of these things.

4. What happens to the thing you eat after you eat it? What does it do in your body?