The problem goes back almost 30 years ago, in those years came to Bangladesh several international aid agencies, with UNICEF in the lead, with the good intention of preventing infections caused by the consumption of stagnant water. The aim was to reduce the high mortality rate, especially the child, caused by diseases such as dysentery and cholera, and to do so beginning a massive program of construction of water wells.

The plan was successful but high price au, the rescued children suffer horrendous adult diseases. In 1993 – the effects of arsenic takes between 8 and 14 years to become visible, it began to detect a high concentration of this metal in the water, which was confirmed two years later. After the first cases appeared. The village people began to present black spots on the skin, hardening of the palms and feet, jumped cases of conjunctivitis, bronchitis, diabetes and began to develop tumors, gangrene and even cancer

Its effects are lethal. The BIAN estimated that one in ten deaths occurring in Bangladesh is due to arsenic and the UN itself estimates that this metal may be responsible for the deaths of 20,000 Bangladeshis each year. And there are 70 million children living under this threat.

THE RELEASE OF MERCURY IN THE EBRO SUPER SEVEN TIMES AS PERMITTED BY WHO

Analysis undertaken by the Department of Environment of the Catalan Generalitat have ruled that the 4,000 fish found dead at the height of the two nuclear plants Ascó suffered acute mercury poisoning among other products, chlorine derivatives and hydrocarbons.

A STUDY ON THE ALERT PRESENCE OF HARMFUL COMPOUNDS IN TAP WATER

A study by researchers has identified trihalomethanes in tap water four Spanish areas of concentrations well above the European average. A risk of an average 20% of bladder cancer is associated with these compounds in areas with high concentrations and long periods of exposure.

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are formed which are substances inducing certain cancers, including bladder, colon and rectum. It has been proven tumor-inducing effects in laboratory animals, but human studies are inconclusive.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC ALARA) global references not included in their lists of carcinogens or proven risk.

Kogevinas the risk is relatively low and less than the resulting candle smoking or pollution, while insisting it is a major public health problem.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS OF CHLORINE IN WATER THAT DRANK

One consequence of water chlorination are carcinogenic effects found in those who drink it.

Chlorine is the universal disinfectant used to treat tap water for its toxic effect on harmful bacteria and other disease-causing organisms. But there is growing scientific evidence that shows that chlorine in drinking water can bring such great dangers for people and for those trying to eliminate it. These can be either through ingestion and by absorption through the skin of chlorinated water.

Scientists have discovered a connection between water chlorination and cancer of the liver, stomach, kidney, rectum and colon, as well as heart disease, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), anemia, high blood pressure and allergic reactions.

There is also evidence that water chlorination can destroy proteins in the human body and cause severe effects on skin and hair.

The risk of cancer goes people drinking chlorinated water is 93% greater than those infiltrating the drinking water.

This ceremony, and the idea of a fresh start, can easily be adapted to the American culture with the use of sky lanterns. Think about it. People in drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers could release lanterns with a list of their past drug usage. The lantern would float to the sky, taking their past sins along with it. These people could have one more tool to help them feel like they are truly starting over. The cost of these lanterns is miniscule compared to some of the other ceremonies that drug and alcohol facilities utilize to help individuals let go of their past.

Chinese lanterns can also be set off at funerals and memorial services as an alternative to tossing flowers on the grave. People could write their fond memories of the deceased on the lantern, light it, and send it skyward. It would be a tribute to the deceased, and symbolic of letting heaven know that this person deserved entry. This could, of course, be adjusted to fit the beliefs of the mourners .

These lanterns can have a multitude of uses, and be the start of brand new traditions for families to carry on. The lighting of the lantern, and the floating toward the sky, could symbolize many different things to people.

Water Pollution

Water pollution occurs through direct or indirect introduction into streams or aquifers of solid, liquid, gas and heat energy, among others. This contamination is causing damage to living organisms in the aquatic environment and also represents a danger to the health of people and animals.

There are two ways through which water may be contaminated. One is by means of natural contaminants, that is, the natural cycle of water may come into contact with certain constituents pollutants discharged into water, atmosphere and crust. For example, mineral and organic substances dissolved or suspended, such as arsenic, cadmium, bacteria, clay, organic materials, etc.

Another way is through the pollution generated by man or man, and are products of liquid and solid wastes discharged directly or indirectly in the water. For example, health sinks substances, substances from industrial waste and substances used in agricultural pest control and / or vectors of disease.

Eutrophication is a process that is slowly occurring naturally in all lakes in the world, because all nutrients are received.
#Eutrophication of human origin.

Human discharges accelerate the process to make, often in a serious pollution problem. The main sources of eutrophication are:

*urban discharges, which are detergents and organic waste
*Livestock and agricultural discharges, contributing fertilizers, organic wastes and other wastes rich in phosphates and nitrates.

The degree of eutrophication

To know the extent of eutrophication of a given water is usually measured the chlorophyll content of algae in the water column and this value is combined with other parameters such as phosphorus and nitrogen and the value of light penetration.

Measures to prevent eutrophication

The most effective way to combat this type of pollution is to reduce the amount of phosphates and nitrates in effluents, using detergents with a low proportion of phosphates, using less amount of detergents, not over-paying fields, using agricultural waste and livestock as fertilizer, instead of pouring, etc. Specifically:

*Treating wastewater in WWTP (wastewater treatment plant), including biological and chemical treatments that remove phosphorus and nitrogen.
*Properly store manure used in agriculture.
*Use fertilizers more efficiently.
*Changing farming practices to other less polluting. For example, delaying the plow and prepare fields for cultivation to planting spring cereal crops in autumn claims to have the land covered with vegetation during the winter thus reducing erosion.
Reduce emissions of NOx and ammonia.

The putrefaction process consumes large amounts of dissolved oxygen and water are no longer suitable for most living things. The end result is an ecosystem all but destroyed.

Eutrophic and oligotrophic water

When a lake or reservoir is poor in nutrients (oligotrophic) has the clear waters, light penetrates the algal growth is small and keeps a few animals. Plants and animals found are the characteristics of well-oxygenated waters such as trout.

Nutrient loads to go the lake becomes eutrophic. They grow algae in large quantities so that the water is cloudy. Algae and other organisms when they die they are decomposed by the activity of bacteria with spent oxygen. They can not live fish need oxygen-rich waters, so in a lake of this kind will find catfish, perch and other water bodies poorly ventilated. In some cases occur accompanied by anaerobic putrefaction odors are murky waters and low quality from the standpoint of human consumption or use for sporting activities. The bottom of the lake is filled with sediment and the depth is decreasing.

Nutrients water eutrophication

Nutrients that influence this process are the phosphates and nitrates. In some ecosystems the limiting factor is phosphate, as in most freshwater lakes, but in many seas the limiting factor is nitrogen for most plant species.

In the past 20 or 30 years the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in many seas and lakes have almost doubled. Most of them come down the rivers. In the case of nitrogen, a high proportion (about 30%) comes through air pollution. Nitrogen is more mobile than phosphorus and can be washed through the ground or jump into the air by evaporation of ammonia or by denitrification. Phosphorus is more readily absorbed by soil particles and is carried away by erosion eroded or dissolved by surface runoff.

Under natural conditions aquatic system enters a less than 1 kg of phosphate per hectare per year. With human waste this amount rises sharply. For many years, soaps and detergents were the main causes of this problem. In the decades of 60 and 70 to 65% by weight of the detergent was a compound of phosphorus, sodium tripolyphosphate, which was used to “hold” (chelates) to Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn. This was achieved by these ions do not impede the work of surfactant molecules that are doing the washing. These detergents were about 16% by weight of phosphorus. The result was that the domestic and laundries discharges contained a large proportion of phosphate ion. In 1973 Canada first and then other countries have banned the use of detergents that have more than 2.2% phosphorus, forcing to use other binders with less content of this element. Some laws have come to ban detergents containing more than 0.5% phosphorus.

#Pathogen.

Are the different types of bacteria, viruses, protozoa and other organisms that transmit diseases such as cholera, typhoid, gastroenteritis different, hepatitis, etc. In developing countries diseases caused by these pathogens are one of the main reasons for premature death, especially of children.

Normally these bacteria get into the water in the feces and other organic debris produced by infected people. For this, a good index to measure the health of the waters in regard to these microorganisms, is the number of coliform bacteria in water. The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends that drinking water has 0 coliform colonies per 100 ml of water.

#Organic Waste.

They are all organic waste produced by humans, livestock, etc.. Include feces and other materials that can be decomposed by aerobic bacteria, ie oxygen consumption processes. When this type of waste are in excess bacterial growth depletes oxygen and can no longer live in these waters fish and other living things need oxygen. Good indicator of pollution by organic waste is the amount of dissolved oxygen, DO, water, or BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand).

#Inorganic Chemicals.

This group included acids, salts and toxic metals such as mercury and lead. If you are in high amounts can cause severe damage to living things, reduce agricultural yields and corrode the equipment used to work with water.

#Inorganic Plant Nutrients.

Nitrates and phosphates are water soluble substances that plants need for their development, but if found in excessive amount inducing excessive growth of algae and other organisms causing eutrophication. When these algae and other plants die, being decomposed by microorganisms, oxygen is depleted and it is impossible the lives of other living beings. The result is a smelly water and unusable.

#Organic.

Many organic molecules such as oil, gasoline, plastics, pesticides, solvents, detergents, etc …, just in the water and remain, in some cases, long periods of time, because, being man-made products have molecular structures complex difficult to degrade by microorganisms.

#Sediments and suspended matter.

Many particles torn from the ground and dragged into the water, along with other materials that are suspended in water, are, in terms of total mass, the largest source of water pollution. Causing turbidity in the water makes life difficult for some organisms, and sediments that accumulate feeding sites or destroy fish spawning, fill lakes or swamps and blocking channels, estuaries and harbors.

#Radioactive Substances.

Soluble radioactive isotopes may be present in the water and sometimes can be accumulated to long food chains, reaching considerably higher concentrations in some tissues than they were living in the water.

#Thermal Pollution.

The hot water released by power plants or industrial processes increases, sometimes, the temperature of rivers and reservoirs which reduces its ability to contain oxygen and affects the lives of organisms

The report has been submitted by the Secretary of State for Climate Change, Teresa Ribera, and AEMET president, Ricardo Garcia Herrera. This is the second phase of renovation of regionalized scenarios using new data from global models that form the basis of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) adopted in Valencia in 2007.

Sevilla will be Tucson

“If temperatures grow up to six degrees, our grandchildren will live to the climate of Seville will be similar to Tucson (Arizona, USA), is a desert,” Madrid could become the climate of Seville and Pamplona in Madrid ” García Herrera has detailed.
Bank stressed that it is not a projection “irremediable” but “information for action.” Spain will be one of the countries of Europe “more sensitive” about being in the Mediterranean. The best way to fight global warming, advises the secretary, is to reduce greenhouse emissions.

Precipitation projections show a greater dispersion of results. However, even during the first half of the century there is no significant trend in precipitation of mainland Spain, it will be a reduction of the same in the second half of this century. For the last decade of the century, the average rainfall of Peninsular Spain could be in a range between 15% and 30% compared to precipitation for the period 1961-1990.

The study, published by the journal Nature, finds that the reduction was approximately 1% per year since 1900, albeit with a higher trend since 1950, likely as a result of climate change and higher surface temperatures of ocean waters, say the authors.

Threat to the marine food chain

The phytoplankton, consisting of microscopic organisms that live suspended in water, is the staple food of zooplankton both as large mammals (cetaceans), numerous seabirds and the most fish. “They are the fuel of the marine ecosystem. Their fall affects the entire food chain and humans, “write Daniel Boyce, Marlon Lewis and Boris Worm, the three principal authors of the research.

The trend is particularly strong in the tropics and in the most polar, especially in the Pacific, while the southern Indian surprising behaves in the opposite direction, “the study.

Data from 1899

The team from Dalhousie University has combined historical data since 1899 by research vessels and the latest supplied by satellites since 1979. The database totals more than half a million phytoplankton analysis.

Scientists have found a correlation between the reduction of phytoplankton and increased surface temperatures of the sea. The decline was accelerated from 1950 with a cumulative decline of 40% since then.

Small agencies

Phytoplankton is made especially by cyanobacteria, diatoms and other photosynthetic organisms. “Phytoplankton plays a crucial role in the ecosystem of the planet. Produces 50% of the oxygen we breathe, reduce carbon dioxide and is important for the fishing industry. A sea with less phytoplankton works differently, “continues Worm.

The increase in water temperature is correlated with lower growth of phytoplankton. Microscopic algae need light and food to grow, actually, but the more heat the water, the less the amount of food that manage to reach the surface. Phenomena such as El Niño also have a clear impact. Previous studies had also linked the decline of phytoplankton in polar regions to the weakening of the ozone layer and increased ultraviolet radiation.

Temperature and biodiversity

The surface temperature has a crucial influence on marine biodiversity, says another study published in the magazine. The team led by Derek Tittensor, also of Dalhousie University, examined the relationship between environmental parameters and distribution of 11,000 species belonging to 13 major groups (zooplankton, plants, invertebrates, fish, mammals …). The study suggests that “warming of the oceans could alter the distribution of life in its waters.”

The Touming Mengke is the largest valley glacier in the Qilian Mountains in Sunan, but due to warming caused by greenhouse gases is suffering a reduction of six meters a year.

In the last five decades Touming Mengke, 10.1 km long and covers an area of 21.9 square kilometers, has been reduced by 300 meters.

Its maximum altitude is 5483 meters above sea level and the lowest is 4260 meters and is located in the valley Laohu, on the northern slope of the mountain Daxue, in the district of Subei.

His name, of Mongolian origin, meaning “high” and “large.”

Like Touming Mengke, the remaining glaciers in China are also suffering the consequences of global warming, threatening water supplies in the world.

Gansu glacier is considered one of the six most beautiful in China, along with the Rongbuk and Midui in the region of Tibet, and Tomur Telamukanli in neighboring Xinjiang, and Hailuogu in Sichuan.

What causes it? Human pollutants such as noxious fumes long run factories and power plants as clean energy from coal, gas or petroleum products. Vehicles also emit harmful gases which contribute their grain to the general pollution.
History of Acid Rain

The contamination of man began, a large scale, with the industrial revolution. Already in 1852, Robert Angus Smith studied acid rain, which was already a problem, and showed it was related to air pollution in Manchester, England. But I was only in 60s of 20th century scientists began to study the phenomenon of acid rain. The term itself appears only in 1972.

Since the 70 acid rain began to be a serious problem, so the industries began to be kept away from populated areas, but not the only humans suffer. Several European countries, Russia and China are the most currently suffer. The worst are those who still have power stations which operate by burning coal or diesel.

What’s worse is that many times the deposition of acid rain falling miles away from where the pollutants are produced, so a country can be highly polluting, but adverse effects can be felt in the neighboring nation.