Human influences on the environment

CO2 and other greenhouse gases: CO2, Methane, water vapour

1. Released from deforestation
2. Respiration
3. Burning of fossil fuels

The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat within the atmosphere which increases global warming. It then radiates the heat back down towards earth.

SO2 is released from the burning of fossil fuels and released from sewage treatment plants. Can cause acid rain and erosion of rock i.e. limestone.

Carbon monoxide is released from incomplete combustion. It can bind irreversibly to haemoglobin thus preventing oxygen from being transported around the body.

Ammonia [from fertilisers] can be leached into rivers and streams.

Leaching is when excess dissolved nutrients and minerals from fertilisers run into streams and rivers and pollute water. This causes algae to bloom in immense quantities. Algae prevents sunlight from reaching plants on the river bed hence prevents plants from photosynthesising. The plants would die and the quantity of dead matter in the water. This pollutes the water even more. Bacteria respire aerobically to decompose the matter. This uses up all the oxygen in the water hence the organisms cannot respire. Nitrates and phosphates.