Soil pollution is a growing problem and understanding what causes it is key to preventing it. Pollutants in the soil can have a negative impact on plant and animal life and potentially lead to contamination of groundwater. Soil pollution can be...
Saving energy has benefits for both the environment and yourself as an individual. Less energy usage means less pollution, which in turn reduces the frequency of acid rain and protects biodiversity, according to Green Strides. In a global economy...
The first commercial coal production began in the United States in 1748. Ever since then, nonrenewable energy has been one of the cornerstones of human civilization. It has been used to provide electricity, locomotion and power. Today, 1.1 billion...
In order for food to be broken down and absorbed sufficiently, all animals with a digestive system feature a stomach that includes enzymes and bacteria to assist with the process. In humans, these bacteria differ greatly from one person to...
Concern for the environment is growing steadily. The news always seems to have a story reporting on global warming, a fresh oil spill or another environmental problem. Much of the environmental impact humans have is due to the side effects of...
Solar panels provide clean, renewable energy for buildings, roadside signs and communications satellites. They capture sunlight and convert it to heat or electricity. Arranged in banks to produce power ranging from a few watts to many megawatts,...
Sources of toxic waste include industry, health care, agriculture or post-consumer waste such as used batteries and household chemicals. Toxic waste can be recycled, treated to produce less toxic substances or stored. Environmental contamination...
Radiation has known negative effects on your body. Radiation naturally occurs in the environment and food supply, through radioactive materials such as rocks, soil and air. Common sources of exposure include nuclear accidents, nuclear bomb...
Because of concern about greenhouse gases, the wind energy industry has been growing rapidly. According to an America Wind Energy Association report, in 2008 alone, 8,500 megawatts of wind power capacity were brought online in the United States,...
Much of today's society relies on energy. Historically we relied on burning wood to heat our homes and cook our food. Today we use a wide variety of energy sources to meet a whole host of energy needs. Because our needs for energy keep increasing,...
Wind is a renewable source of electricity that can be harnessed with turbines. Wind comes from the uneven heating of our earth's surface by the sun, so as long as the sun shines, we will have wind to harness. Wind turbines often resemble the...
Earth's loose soil layer of minerals and natural materials filters contaminants. Soil pollution occurs when the level of contamination reaches the point where the structure and organisms present in the soil can no longer store and process...
Strontium is a trace mineral found naturally as four stable isotopes. Another form of strontium, strontium-90 or radioactive strontium, is also found in nature and makes its way into the food chain. Strontium-90 is produced by nuclear fission and...
Recycling bins have become a well-established part of life, but recycling aluminum actually did not start until the 1960s. The Clean Air Council says over 65 billion cans are used per year. Recycling those cuts down on the energy used and wastes...
Potassium iodide, or KI, is a naturally occurring salt form of iodide that is sold over-the-counter as a supplement. It is commonly used for protective measures against radiation exposure but is also used as an expectorant. According to the drug...
Fossil fuels are a finite resource and will one day run out. While the amount of fossil fuels such as coal and oil left in the ground is debatable, there is no doubt that these resources are a source of carbon emissions, which are harmful to the...
We think about bacteria as harmful, disease-causing, invisible creatures. But actually, only a few species are dangerous. The majority of bacteria are good, and without them, life on Earth wouldn't be possible. Bacteria help degrade dead animals...
Most people know that the air and water can be polluted, but many may not know that soil can also be polluted, which can produce negative effects in humans, animals and plants. Soil pollution occurs when chemicals that don't belong or that are in...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines hazardous waste as any material that can be potentially harmful to either the environment or to humans. Because of the environmental risk, you should use extra caution when dealing with materials...
Americans threw away about 250 million tons of food scraps, packaging materials, grass clippings, old furniture, used appliances and other garbage in 2008, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Industry adds another 7.6 billion...
