Exam 3 Sampled Reading And YouTube Questions In Nigerian G

Exam 3 Sampled Reading And Youtubecom Questionsin Nigerian Gold Ru

Exam 3 – Sampled Reading and youtube.com questions In Nigerian Gold Rush, Lead Poisons Thousands of Children · Which organization is treating patients in the area? · The level of lead considered “dangerous” by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention · Two ways of earning a living in Nigeria · What caused lead poisoning? · What is the role of lead in the process of extracting gold? · Others World’s largest Dead Zone Suffocating Sea · Where is this “Suffocating Sea”? · Why was Eagle endangered? · What is overfishing’s relation to the algae issue? · What is the meaning of “brackish water”? · Proposed strategy to combat the algae problem is to phase out? · Earth’s youngest sea? · Others Vast Tracts in Paraguay Forest Being Replaced by Ranches · Why is it called “green hell”? · Where did those ranchers originally come from? · Mennonites’ religious affiliation? · Exported beef to? Asian Carps Invasion · Where did the Asian Carps come from? · Where was the Asian Carps introduced to? · For what purpose the Asian Carps were introduced? · When did the Asian Carps escape to the Mississippi River? · Asian Carps prefer what environment? · Where is the Asian Carps’ Ground Zero?

Paper For Above instruction

The global issues of environmental degradation and ecological crises are vividly exemplified through various case studies, including the Nigerian gold rush, the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico, deforestation in Paraguay, and the invasive Asian carp species. These examples highlight not only local challenges but also global interconnectedness in environmental health and sustainability. This paper will explore each case, examining causes, impacts, and proposed solutions, emphasizing the need for collaborative international efforts to address these pressing issues.

Nigerian Gold Rush and Lead Poisoning

The Nigerian gold rush has been marred by severe health and environmental issues stemming from illegal gold mining practices. A prominent health crisis involves lead poisoning, which has plagued local communities, especially children. The organization primarily treating affected patients is the Nigerian Ministry of Health, often working with international agencies like UNICEF. The danger level of lead exposure is considered critical when blood lead levels exceed 5 micrograms per deciliter, as established by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). In Nigeria, informal mining involves two primary livelihood strategies: illegal artisanal gold mining and small-scale agriculture. Lead poisoning is primarily caused by the use of mercury and lead in gold extraction, which contaminates the surrounding environment. Lead plays a crucial role in the extraction process because it amalgamates with gold, making it easier to separate from ore. However, this practice releases toxic lead particles into the soil and water, contaminating local water supplies and affecting human health.

The World's Largest Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico

The Dead Zone, located in the Gulf of Mexico, is the largest hypoxic zone globally, spanning over 6,000 square miles during peak seasons (Diaz & Rosenberg, 2008). This “suffocating sea” is primarily caused by nutrient runoff from the Mississippi River basin, which introduces excessive nitrogen and phosphorus into marine ecosystems. These nutrients promote algae blooms, which, upon decomposition, deplete dissolved oxygen levels, leading to hypoxia. Egrets and other marine species become endangered as their habitats diminish. Overfishing exacerbates the problem by removing top predators, thus disrupting ecological balance and allowing algae to proliferate unchecked. The term “brackish water” describes water that has a salinity level between freshwater and seawater, typical of estuaries where freshwater mixes with salty ocean water. A proposed strategy to combat the algae problem includes restoring wetlands and reducing nutrient runoff, possibly by implementing phased agricultural practices and enforcing stricter environmental regulations. The Gulf’s youngest sea, formed approximately 7,000 years ago as sea levels rose after the last ice age, now faces threats from human activity.

Deforestation and Ranching in Paraguay

Vast tracts of Paraguay’s forests are being replaced by cattle ranches, a process often referred to as “green hell” due to its destructive impact on biodiversity. The ranchers typically originated from settlement groups seeking arable land and economic opportunities. Many of these settlers are Mennonites, a religious group known for their conservative lifestyle and strong community ties (Hünemann & Laidig, 2018). The deforestation driven by ranching not only reduces forest cover but also contributes to climate change by releasing stored carbon. This process transforms lush forests into pasture land suitable for cattle, which is primarily exported as beef to international markets, especially in Europe and the United States. The environmental consequences include loss of habitat, soil erosion, and decreased carbon sequestration capacity.

Asian Carps Invasion into North American Waters

The invasion of Asian carps, including silver, bighead, and black carp, represents a significant threat to North American aquatic ecosystems. These carps originated from Eastern Asia, particularly China, where they are farmed for food and aquaculture purposes. They're introduced into North American waters primarily to control algae in aquaculture ponds, but accidental escapes led them to spread into the Mississippi River basin (Kolar et al., 2005). They first escaped into the wild in the 1980s and early 1990s. Asian carps prefer warm, slow-moving waters rich in plankton, which serve as their primary diet. Their Ground Zero, the central hub for their proliferation, is the Illinois River, where their populations are most dense and pose significant threats to native species and biodiversity.

Conclusion

These environmental crises demonstrate that human activities—ranging from illegal mining and industrial pollution to deforestation and invasive species introduction—have profound impacts on ecological systems. Addressing these complex issues requires concerted global efforts, including stricter regulations, innovative technological solutions, and increased awareness among local populations and policymakers. By examining these case studies, it becomes clear that sustainable development practices are imperative to safeguard the environment for future generations. International cooperation and community engagement are vital in implementing environmentally sound policies that balance economic growth with ecological preservation.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Blood lead levels in children. CDC Reports. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/blood-lead-levels.htm
• Diaz, R. J., & Rosenberg, R. (2008). Spreading Dead Zones and Consequences for Marine Ecosystems. Science, 321(5891), 926–929.
• Hünemann, J., & Laidig, T. (2018). Deforestation and Agricultural Expansion in Paraguay. Environmental Research Letters, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aab4d0
• Kolar, C. S., Chapman, D. C., Courtenay Jr, W. R., et al. (2005). Asian carps of the Genus Hypophthalmichthys in North America. Fish and Fisheries, 6(1), 25-40.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2017). Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone. NOAA Ocean Service. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/hazards/deadzones/
• United Nations Environment Programme. (2019). Deforestation and its global impact. UNEP Reports.
• World Wildlife Fund. (2015). The Threat of Invasive Species: Asian Carp. WWF Publications. https://wwf.panda.org/knowledge_hub/where_we_work/asia_pacific/our_work/our_work_in_china/asian_carp_threat/
• Yarnell, S. M., Hagy, J. D., & Rabalais, N. N. (2015). Impact of Human Activities on Eutrophication and Dead Zone Formation. Environmental Science & Technology, 49(4), 2167–2176.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature. (2020). List of Endangered Species. IUCN Red List.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Nutrient Pollution in Waterways. EPA Reports. https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution