Environmental Threats: Acid Rain, Deforestation, Pollution

Environmental Threats Facing Humanity

Irresponsible human actions are contributing to the emergence of serious problems that threaten humanity, such as:

• The process of desertification
• The destruction of forests
• The deterioration of the ozone layer
• The enhanced greenhouse effect
• Air and water pollution

Air Pollution: Major Sources and Impact

The largest air polluters are oil refineries and power plants. Cities, with their heating systems and vehicles, release carbon dioxide. In our country, approximately 150 pounds of pollutants per person are emitted into the atmosphere annually. The greatest pollution is recorded in urban areas of Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao. Acid rain is one of the three most serious environmental problems in Europe and America.

Water Pollution: A Critical Issue

Water is a basic resource needed for agricultural, domestic, and industrial uses. It is often subjected to contamination processes. Among the biggest polluters of water are cities with their wastewater. Groundwater contamination exists due to agricultural waste, and there is also the problem of brackish water.

Forest Fires: A Growing Concern

In the Mediterranean, the sclerophyllous forest, combined with summer heat and extreme drought, causes many forest fires. These fires can be caused by natural reasons, carelessness, or intentional acts.

Desertification: A Major Environmental Problem

Desertification is one of the major environmental problems in Spain. Erosion is a natural process that is favored by high temperatures and low, irregular rainfall. Topography also plays a role. Furthermore, the process is exacerbated by population pressure, agricultural practices, infrastructure development, and deforestation.

Droughts and Floods: Natural Disasters

Floods occur as a result of heavy rains. Sometimes, natural factors influence the course of rivers, which become too small for the huge volume of water, causing overflows and serious damage. River floods are particularly dangerous in the Mediterranean area.

Acid Rain: Causes and Consequences

Some of the molecules that pollute the atmosphere turn into acids with rainwater. In areas with large industries, rain is more acidic than normal, and dry acidic particles are deposited on the surface. Acid rain brings disease and decay to living things and ecosystems.

Causes of Acid Rain

Industries and power plants that use low-quality fuels release significant amounts of sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These pollutants can be transported over distances of up to hundreds of kilometers. In the atmosphere, nitrogen and sulfur oxides are converted into nitric and sulfuric acid, returning to Earth with rain or snow (acid rain).