Air Pollution
Air pollution is an on-going issue that can not only harm human´s health, but cause envronmental issues is the surrounding area. Air pollution problems are caused by the presence of various air pollutants released into the atmosphere through human activities and natural occurences. Many pollutants such as ground-level O3 can reduce the growth and the capability to function of different types crops, injure flowers and shrubs, and may contribute to the already staggering forest decline in some parts of Southern Europe.
Ecosystem changes have also been found to occur as a result of air pollution. Certain plant species that are more resistant to ground-level O3 can become more dominant over those that are less resistant. Various particulate matter (PM) taken up by plants from the soil can reduce the plant´s growth and can cause physical damage to the plant´s surfaces through abrasion. Harmful pollutants in the Earth´s atmosphere have been found to cause and/or accelerate the corrosion and soiling of materials, and have even been recognized as major contributors to acid rain, which in turn affects the quality of soil, bodies of water, and stresses not only vegetation, but animals as well. |