Select THREE topics below to research, summarize, provide your reaction and cite
ID: 232735 • Letter: S
Question
Select THREE topics below to research, summarize, provide your reaction and cites work page.
Topics include: pollution, climate change, environmental legislation, alternative energy sources, fossil fuels, human population growth, renewable resources, recycling/waste management, air quality, water quality, conservation/wildlife, food production/food safety, deforestation, GMOs (genetically modified organisms).
The assignment will entail: the article, a summary, personal reaction and citation.
Article:
All articles should be current – up to one year old and taken from a reliable source. The sources may be scientific publications, popular magazines, newspapers or the like. Try the NY Times (especially Tuesdays), Washington Post, National Geographic, Discover Magazine, Scientific American, Science, Nature, etc.
All bibliographic information should be visible on the article itself or included with the summary. Try to find a variety of articles at the state, national, and global level that address multiple environmental issues.
Article should be at least 4 paragraphs long and have enough "meat" to it that you can summarize the article and add your own opinion to it.
Summary:
Write a two paragraph summary of the article and point out the major environmental themes discussed.
Personal Reaction: Your personal reaction should clearly state your opinions and/or reflection on the article. You can offer potential solutions, compare it to another environmental problem, ask questions about the article, or simply reflect on the article’s content. Do not simply write, “This article was very interesting/good.” Some questions to drive your discussion:
What are the key points made in the article?- What are the points of view presented about this issue?- Does the article teach you something new?- Does it support or refute other information you've heard or read?
Cite the source of your article:
Explanation / Answer
Fluoride (F–) in drinking water has both beneficial and harmful effects on human health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the permissible limit of F– in drinking water is 1.5 mg/L. In view of the environmental and socio-economic conditions of the Indian subcontinent, the desirable limit of F– is set at 0.60 - 1.20 mg/L and the maximum permissible limit, in absence of any other source, is set at 1.5 mg/L for drinking. Small concentration of F- (0.6 - 1.20 mg/L) is essential for normal mineralization of bones and the formation of dental enamel. A low content of fluoride (F– < 0.60 mg/L) causes dental carries and prolonged consumption of fluoride contaminated water (F– > 1.20 mg/L) can lead to fatal diseases like dental and skeletal fluorosis. The health hazards due to consumption of fluoride contaminated water is not curable till date and the problem only can be prevented if fluoride contaminated water consumption is stopped.
The occurrence of high fluoride (F–) in groundwater has drawn significant attention throughout the world, since groundwater is the main source of F– intake. Fluoride contamination in groundwater is mainly a natural phenomenon and is governed basically by the climate, composition of the host rocks and hydrogeological conditions. The areas with semi-arid climate, crystalline rocks and alkaline soil are mostly fluoride affected. The F– is generally derived from the dissolution of fluoride bearing minerals such as fluorite, fluorspar, cryolite, fluoroapatite etc. present in the country rocks.
High fluoride concentrations have been found in many parts of the world, particularly in parts of India, China, Central Africa and South America, but high concentrations can be encountered locally in most parts of the world. 17 of India's 29 states and 7 union territories have naturally high levels of fluoride. About 25 million of people are suffering from fluorosis in India (highest among the 29 countries known to have excess fluoride in drinking water).
Groundwater accounts for about 88% of drinking and other domestic uses in rural India. The quality of groundwater plays an important role in the socio-economic development of rural people as it is directly related to the health. Since, groundwater forms the main source of drinking water supply in rural areas, generation of a reliable database on quality parameters and scientific study towards understanding of the spatio-temporal distribution pattern of F– concentration in groundwater, genesis and enrichment mechanism are essential for proper management and sustainable development of groundwater in the fluoride affected regions.
Reference
NAG, S.K. and RAY, S. (2015) Deciphering Groundwater Potential Zones Using Geospatial Technology - A Study in Bankura Block I and Block II, Bankura District, West Bengal. The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering. v. 40, pp 205-214. DOI 10.1007/s13369-014-1511-y