Human Impact on the Environment

An Illustrated World Atlas

verfasst von: Sergey Govorushko

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

This atlas presents a collection of geographical maps showing human impact on the environment. A wide variety of human impacts are discussed, ranging from the energy, mining, transport and agricultural industries as well as less visible impacts such as those of space exploration. This book is a highly illustrated atlas with 300 photos from 70 countries. Each map is accompanied by a short description of each human impact and its effect on the specific natural environment.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Electric Power Industry

Abstract

The electric power industry is the branch of power engineering that includes the generation and transmission of electric energy. The key role of this branch is explained by the advantages of electric energy over other kinds of energy—advantages such as the relative easiness of its long-distance transmission, distribution between consumers, and conversion to other kinds of energy (mechanical, thermal, chemical, optical, and so on). A distinctive feature of electric energy is that its generation and consumption are relatively simultaneous, because the electric current propagates through the network with a speed close to the speed of light. In the foreseeable future, it will remain a principal kind of energy, providing engineering progress in all spheres of the lives of people. Electricity is generated by power plants through the use of energy carriers or the conversion of other kinds of energy. For example, heat in thermal power stations transforms water into steam, forcing the rotors of steam turbines. These turbines are connected to the rotors of generators, in which the mechanical energy of the turbines is transformed into electrical energy. Solar power stations transform the energy of sun-rays into electrical or thermal energy, for example.

Sergey Govorushko

Chapter 2. Industry

Abstract

In an extended sense, the term industry means the totality of enterprises occupied with the production of instruments of labor, extraction of raw materials and minerals, and power generation. It also includes the further processing of products manufactured in industry or in other activities (agriculture and forestry, fishing). Electric power generation and transmission were considered earlier in Chap. 1, while extraction of raw and other materials is described in Chap. 3. The branches considered here belong to the manufacturing industry. They include the enterprises occupied with processing raw and other materials. The characteristic features of these industrial enterprises are serial production, division of labor, and the use of highly productive machines and equipment and their maximum specialization.

Sergey Govorushko

Chapter 3. Mining and Mineral Processing

Abstract

Opencast mining is extraction of commercial minerals from the Earth’s surface using open-pit workings. About 60 % of metallic ores, 85 % of non-metallic ores, 100 % of non-metallics, and 35 % of coal are produced by this method. The distribution of mineral resources of the world is shown in Fig. 3.1. Opencast mining impacts the following natural components: (1) condemnation of land; (2) soils; (3) vegetation; (4) animal world; (5) atmospheric air; (6) surface and underground waters; and (7) relief.

Sergey Govorushko

Chapter 4. Agriculture and Forestry

Abstract

Agriculture and forest management are two closely related fields. Their similarity can be found both in their aims (to a greater or lesser degree, they are oriented on food provision for the population and raw materials supply for different industries) and in their basic operating principles (based on the growth of living organisms). This similarity can be seen the best when plant growing is compared to forest management. In both cases, practically identical methods of growing, enhancement and increase of productivity, and fertilizers and protection from weeds (herbicides) and pests (pesticides) are used. The differences lay primarily in the duration of the production cycle: half a year for crop farming, 3–5 years for horticulture, but not less than 10 years for forestry. Besides, the object of agriculture greatly depends on human involvement. For many countries and international organizations (e.g., Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), forestry is a part of the agricultural sector.

Sergey Govorushko

Chapter 5. Transport

Abstract

The impacts of automobile transport on the environment include the following: (1) air pollution; (2) pollution and breaking of surface and subsurface drainage; (3) soil pollution; (4) loss of lands; (5) fauna impacts; (6) flora impacts; (7) transformation of relief and the geological environment; and (8) noise impacts and vibration. Air pollution is the most significant impact of automobile transport. Its main components are (1) burnt engine gases; (2) crankcase fumes; (3) fuel evaporation from tanks, carburettors, or hoses; (4) products of abrasion of tires, brakes, and other parts of vehicles, and (5) products of a roadbed’s wear.

Sergey Govorushko

Chapter 6. Other Kinds of Activity

Abstract

Despite the name, the targets of fisheries include not only fish, but also other sea animals, invertebrates, and algae. There are about 3.5 million fishing vessels (Mamin 2011). In 2012, 79.7 million tons were harvested in seas and 11.6 million tons, in inland waters (The state of world fisheries 2014).

Sergey Govorushko

Backmatter

Titel: Human Impact on the Environment
verfasst von: Sergey Govorushko
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-24957-5
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-24955-1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24957-5