Impact of Human activities

Biological Magnification

  • The concentration of harmful substances increases with every trophic level. This is known as Bio magnification.
  • Addition of pesticides in one trophic level increases the concentration of pesticides in other trophic level.
Bio magnification

Ozone Layer

High UV radiation break down oxygen into oxygen atoms. These oxygen atoms when combine with oxygen, they form ozone.

Depletion of Ozone layer

  • The thickness of the ozone layer over Antarctica was found to be decreased in the year 1985. This is defined as ozone depletion.
  • This is due to excessive use of chlorofluorocarbons in refrigerators, ACs, aerosols, etc.
  • Thinning of ozone would allow penetration of Ultraviolet rays into earth’s atmosphere causing blindness, skin cancers and mutations.

In 1987 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) signed an agreement to limit the usage of CFCS. This is known as Montreal Protocol.

Reaction of CFC with ozone

Consequences of Ozone depletion
Exposure of UV rays causes skin cancer. UV-rays damage the eyes also. It affects humans, plants as well as animals.

Garbage Disposal

  • Waste materials are known as garbage. There are two types garbage - Biodegradable Garbage and Non-biodegradable Garbage.
  • Garbage that can be completely decomposed by the microorganism are called Biodegradable Garbage., such as fruit and vegetable peel, sewage.
  • Substances which cannot be decomposed through microorganisms are known as Non-biodegradable Garbage, For Example, Plastic, Glass, Pesticide, Metals, and Radioactive Elements etc.

Methods of Waste Management

Waste disposal is a very important part of day to day life. There are different methods of waste disposal management- sewage treatment plant, biogas plant, land fillings, recycling, incineration, composting and reuse.