Marallag, Ellaine Denice H.

2HST2

Stopping the Acid Life

It's interesting to note that modern humans have been around for a very long time and
lived for much of it without causing much irreparable damage to the environment. However, over
exploitation and pollution have started affecting the environment negatively over the last few
centuries. Earth has a great capacity for regeneration. As Mahatma Gandhi put it, "Earth has
enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed." From 1970 onwards, the world
has been in an ecological overshoot; our demand on environmental resources is exceeding the
earth's supply capacity. While greatly improving our quality of life, the industrial revolution that
began in the 18th century marked the end of sustainable living. As we got used to more
comforts, we yearned for still more.

We didnt know that as we aim to improve our generation, we forget what our inventions
can cause to nature. Because of the presence of certain pollutants in the air due to cars and
industrial processes, we now have what we called Acid Rain. This is caused by a chemical
reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into
the air. These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with
water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain.

All over the world, acid levels are rising which endangers trees, lakes, streams, drinking
water supplies, monuments, and animal life. Basically everything is effected by acid rain. Not
only life is effected, but also buildings (such as national monuments), roads, even metals on
cars and bridges. Acid rain is destroying our world. It is a major problem all over, and we can
make a difference. It hurts fish and other aquatic life, it is a threat to humans, and destroys man-
made structures. As the problem of acid rain grows, so does the awareness, which is my
purpose in writing this, to inform you about acid rain and to, hopefully, persuade you to help me
make a difference.
Marallag, Ellaine Denice H. 2HST2

Red Tide also means Code Red to Pond Ecosystem

Every year throughout the season mostly near warm coastal waters, the surface of the ocean
changes to a bright red. This occurrence is due to what is called the red tide. The Old Testament
might have the earliest known reference to a red tide when it describes the waters of the Nile
turning to blood.

Throughout the world's coastal oceans, observations of harmful algal blooms, referred
to as red tides in older literature, are being reported with increasing frequency. Red tides
actually have nothing to do with tides. At one point, all harmful algal blooms were referred to as
"red tides" because of the color the algae impart while suspended in the water, but this term has
since been discredited because not all harmful algal blooms are red. Some species persist in
the same geographic regions each year, while others are more sporadic, leading to the
unexpected deaths of local fish, shellfish, mammals, and birds. A bloom occurs when an alga
rapidly increases in numbers to the extent that it dominates the local planktonic or benthic
community.

Because of the wide range of mechanisms, harmful algal blooms can affect many living
organisms of the coastal ecosystem, from zooplankton, to fish, to even people. Only a few
harmful algal bloom species actually produce toxins that are poisonous to people and marine
animals. The terms "fish" and "shellfish" are associated with these illnesses because the toxins
are found in high concentrations in the fish and shellfish that ingest the harmful algae. The
harmful algae then affect humans and marine mammals when they in turn consume the infected
fish or shellfish. There are harmful algal blooms that produce toxins with no identifiable effects
on humans but do however have overwhelming impacts on coastal living resources. Predation
is another way that several harmful algal bloom species can impact the coastal biota. Predation
occurs when one organism captures or feeds on another organism.
Marallag, Ellaine Denice H. 2HST2

Deep Mining is Equal to Deeper Problems

As the demand for metals and minerals rise, many corporations and countries now seek
to venture into deep sea mining. Driven by commercial interests many corporations now see
exploration of the deep ocean floor as the next frontier (MacDonald & Welsch, 2012).
Nonetheless, deep sea mining is not an easy task and requires more technological innovations
to facilitate this commercial venture. The process provides huge commercial potential, but there
are worries that disturbing the ocean floor might lead to ecological damage to oceans and seas.
Because of the huge size of mineral deposits, deep sea mining may be more profitable in the
future than land mining. However, any potential investors present would do well to take notice of
the growing swell of opposition to seabed mining.

The truth is we know very little about the deep sea, its ecology and its importance. For
example, deep sea vents are not only rich in minerals but are home to unique communities of
creatures that have evolved to live in extreme conditions and are of interest to scientists for their
genetic properties, which may have medicinal or other practical applications. Similarly deep sea
research has revealed that there is a huge but little known ecosystem known as the dark
biosphere under the seafloor that acts as an important carbon sink.

We all know about the environmental problems that come with mining operations on
land, especially how difficult it is to contain the waste. So imagine the problems that will arise
when mining operations are conducted in the deep sea in a fluid environment, where ocean
currents may carry sediment and toxic pollution far from the area of operation, perhaps into
important fishing grounds. If seabed mining is allowed to go ahead without a comprehensive
system of environmental protection in place we may be destroying species forever before they
have even been scientifically described.
Marallag, Ellaine Denice H. 2HST2

Fossil Fuels in the 21st Century

Many people believe we must quickly wean ourselves from fossil fuels to save the planet
from environmental catastrophe, wars and economic collapse. However, we have the
technological capability to use fossil fuels without emitting climate-threatening greenhouse
gases or other pollutants. By buying time for increasing energy efficiency, developing renewable
energy technologies and making nuclear power more attractive, fossil fuels will play a key role in
humanitys quest for a sustainable energy system.

But did you now that off the reserves of oil, the most widely used fossil fuel? The current
dominance of fossil fuels as an energy source reflects their convenience of use and relative
ease of production in comparison with other energy sources, particularly in the cases of oil and
natural gas. However, this is likely to change as energy demand increases and fossil fuel
production becomes more costly as less accessible reserves are exploited. Thus, the world
hasnt invented technologies that will help developing renewable energy. In conclusion, in the
21st century, the world may experience the decline of it.

Predicting future patterns of global energy use is fraught with uncertainty. However,
there are two factors that provide guidance. The first is that even if viable technologies were
now available to completely replace the use of fossil fuels, the enormity of the infrastructure
change required to sustain present energy demand and to allow its growth would take decades
to achieve. The second factor is that, despite their drawbacks, 235U fission and hydroelectric
power are presently the most feasible options to provide the level of increase in highintensity
energy supply capable of significantly slowing the rate of increase in fossil fuel usage in the next
several decades, despite the promise of other alternative energy sources. Inevitably, this will
increase the cost of energy and further encourage greater efficiency in energy use. Fortunately,
efficiency in energy use improved substantially during the 20th century and has continued to do
so into the 21st. Nevertheless, it appears that fossil fuel will continue to be the major and
increasing source of energy at least until 2050 and probably well beyond that, unless major new
carbon-free energy sources become viable.