Earthquake refers to a sudden violent shaking and vibration of the earth surface resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity. Earthquakes can cause serious destruction to property, injury to people and even kills. It happens when there is sudden movement or breaking of the tectonic plates. Tectonic plates are huge…
Soils are essential for the continuity of life on earth since many ecosystems depend on them for survival. Still, soils persist to face serious threats in so many ways. Soil erosion, use of chemical pesticides and herbicides, unsustainable agricultural practices, excessive farming, water pollution and land pollution are some of the aspects upsetting the natural…
Soil erosion is a process that involves the wearing away of the topsoil. The process involves the loosening of the soil particles, blowing or washing away of the soil particles, and either ends up in the valley and faraway lands or washed away to the oceans by rivers and streams. Soil erosion is a natural…
The nitrogen cycle explains the how nitrogen flows between animals, bacteria, plants, the atmosphere, and the soil on earth. The uniqueness of the nitrogen cycle is that nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the earth’s atmosphere, about 78% of all air, but it can’t be directly utilized by the animals and plants unless it…
The water cycle explains the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the earth. It is also referred to as the Hydrological Cycle. The cycle describes the properties of water that make it undergo the various movements on the planet. The water cycle has nine main physical processes that create a…
Air pollutants are substances in the air which pose adverse risks to human health and have the potential of damaging the ecosystem. The substances are in the form of gases, liquid droplets, or solid particles and are either naturally occurring or anthropogenic. They primarily originate from various sources such as volcanic eruptions, exhaust from automobiles,…
What is commonly known is outdoor air pollution which is all about fumes and smog from industries or emissions from cars. Indoor air pollution pertains to contamination or introduction of harmful substances in the air within and around buildings, homes, inside cars, restaurants, schools or offices which depreciate Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Ideally, it relates…
Studies according to EPA reveal that indoor air has the potential of being more exceedingly polluted that the outdoor air. These indications are especially because the majority of people spend most of their time indoors be it at work, home, or in schools among other indoor areas. Per se, the effects and health risks can…
Forest degradation results owing to decrease in tree cover, the biodiversity in the forests or the changes to a lower state of the forest structure. Degradation refers to damage or reduction in quality of certain features of the forests. Continued degradation of the forests can destroy the entire forest cover and biodiversity, and it mainly…
Forests are our land’s trees and plants that cover a third of the earth’s surface symbolized by the color green in the common definition of environmentalism. There are many reasons why forests are an important feature for the environment and in our daily lives.They are fundamental life forms and provide for the continuity of the…
Wildfires are uncontrolled, rapidly spreading, and raging huge flames enhanced with wind action and firebrands that can wipe out an extensive forest or vegetation land area within minutes. Wildfires are among forces of nature that cause huge devastation to humans and environment. According to the U.S. Fire service, more than 700 wildfires occur every year,…
Acid rain influences soil chemistry, plant activities, and the acidity of surface waters in general. In this sense, it means acid rain has many implications to the environment. The increase of acid rain is persistently affecting the health of humans and plants, the chemical composition of the soil, and most importantly the survival of aquatic…
Acid rain is formed by elevated levels of sulfur and nitric acids in the atmospheres that accumulate as a result of Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and Sulfur dioxides (SO2) emissions. Acid rain is a mix of atmospheric water molecules and dry depositions of Sulfur dioxides and Nitrogen oxides emitted from industries and vehicles. When these gases…
Recycling is the act of processing used or obsolete materials for use in creating new products. Commonly, it refers to the mantra ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.’ Recycling significantly helps to reduce pollution in the environment. Most people may not know it, but the truth of the matter is that there are numerous recycling benefits. The earth’s…
Smog simply refers to a mixture of liquid and solid fog and smoke particles. Smog is usually seen as yellowish or blackish fog which suspends in the atmosphere or forms a ceiling in the air. It happens when fume, emissions, and particulates – nitrogen and sulfur oxides and volatile organic compounds – react in the…