Prepare A 750 To 1050 Word Paper And Microsoft PowerPoint Su

Prepare A750 To 1050 Word Paperandamicrosoft Powerpoint Summary Pre

Prepare a 750 to 1050 word paper and a Microsoft® PowerPoint® summary presentation with a minimum of 6 slides (not including the title and conclusion pages). Your presentation should be visually pleasing and contain speaker notes to round out the information. Be prepared to present to the class during Workshop 5 Topics 1) Aircraft emissions (associated with jet fuels) - climate change and health effects associated with airline travel 2) Mercury contamination associated with gold extraction/purification 3) The Bhopal disaster 4) Shrinking of the Aral Sea 5) Kuwaiti Oil Fires 6) Endocrine Disruptors in the Environment 7) Personal Care Products (PCPs) in Drinking Water 8) Nitrate Contamination of Groundwater (Central Valley) 9) Bisphenyl A (BPA) in Plastics 10) Hexavalent Chromium in Groundwater (Movie 'Erin Brokovich') 11) Great Pacific Garbage Patch 12) Electronic Hazardous Waste (focus on the US but can include a discussion of the contamination at Guiyu, China) 13) Pharmaceutical pollution 14) Hazardous Waste/Superfund Site - ( has a listing of all superfund sites) 15) Great oil spills (should include a discussion or comparison of at least two different spills - Exxon Valdez versus BP-Gulf of Mexico) 16) Jilin Chemical Plant Explosion - Jilin City, Jilin Province, China (may be limited information)

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment requires the creation of a comprehensive academic paper between 750 and 1050 words accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation of at least six slides, excluding the title and conclusion slides. The focus is to explore one of the specified environmental issues deeply, presenting credible evidence, analysis, and potential solutions or implications. This integrated approach aims to enhance understanding of pressing environmental challenges and their societal impacts.

Introduction

Environmental degradation presents some of the most critical challenges faced by modern society, with issues ranging from pollution to resource depletion, each carrying significant health, ecological, and economic consequences. This paper will examine the issue of Mercury contamination associated with gold extraction and purification, a particularly insidious form of environmental pollution. Mercury contamination exemplifies the complex relationship between mineral resource exploitation and environmental health, especially within the context of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Given the widespread distribution of mercury in these activities, understanding its sources, impacts, and remediation techniques is essential for sustainable development and public health.

Background and Sources of Mercury Contamination

Mercury contamination largely results from artisanal and small-scale gold mining, which accounts for approximately 20% of the global gold supply (UNEP, 2013). In these operations, mercury is used to extract gold from ore through amalgamation—a process that involves mixing mercury with excavated material and then heating it to vaporize the mercury, leaving behind the gold. This process is often conducted with minimal safety precautions, leading to widespread environmental release of mercury into water bodies, soil, and the atmosphere (Boateng et al., 2017). Large-scale gold mining also contributes to mercury pollution, although to a lesser extent than small-scale operations, due to the use of cyanide in many cases. Nonetheless, the sediment and runoff from mining operations disseminate mercury downstream, contaminating ecosystems and water supplies.

Environmental Impacts of Mercury Pollution

Mercury released into the environment can convert into methylmercury—a highly toxic organic form that bioaccumulates in aquatic food chains. This bioaccumulation poses serious threats to wildlife, especially fish, which serve as the primary dietary component for many communities. Human exposure occurs primarily through ingestion of contaminated fish, leading to neurological and developmental health problems, particularly in children and pregnant women (Clarkson & Magos, 2016). Freshwater and marine ecosystems exposed to mercury contamination also suffer from reduced biodiversity, altered reproductive cycles, and disrupted food webs. The persistence and mobility of mercury in the environment amplify its threat, often spanning decades after initial release.

Public Health and Socio-Economic Implications

The health risks associated with mercury exposure include cognitive deficits, motor dysfunction, and behavioral changes, particularly in children (El-Fawal et al., 2018). Communities dependent on fishing are often the most affected, with economic implications related to fisheries decline and loss of livelihoods. Moreover, the traditional practices of artisanal miners often occur in regions with weak regulatory enforcement, exacerbating the problem. These socioeconomic factors complicate mitigation efforts, emphasizing the need for community engagement, alternative livelihoods, and international cooperation to reduce mercury pollution.

Regulations and Remediation Strategies

Global efforts, such as the Minamata Convention on Mercury, aim to control and reduce mercury emissions worldwide (UNEP, 2013). Strategies include phasing out mercury use in small-scale gold mining, promoting mercury-free extraction technologies, and improving waste management practices. Remediation techniques for contaminated environments involve physical removal of mercury-laden sediments, stabilization of polluted soils, and converting mercury to less toxic forms through chemical treatment (Hartmann et al., 2017). Additionally, public education campaigns and capacity-building initiatives are vital to encourage safer mining practices and reduce human exposure.

Conclusion

Mercury contamination from gold extraction exemplifies the critical intersection of environmental health and economic activity. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach involving international agreements, technological innovation, community involvement, and robust environmental regulation. Protecting ecosystems and public health from mercury pollution not only promotes sustainability but also upholds the fundamental rights of communities to a safe and healthy environment. Continued research, policy enforcement, and international cooperation are necessary to achieve meaningful reductions in mercury pollution and to mitigate its long-term impacts.

References

  • Boateng, K., et al. (2017). Mercury pollution from small-scale gold mining in Ghana. Journal of Environmental Management, 204, 385-393.
  • Clarkson, T. W., & Magos, L. (2016). The toxicology of mercury and its compounds. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 46(4), 273–316.
  • El-Fawal, H. A., et al. (2018). Neurotoxic effects of mercury: Implications for public health. Toxicology Reports, 5, 258–265.
  • Hartmann, P. C., et al. (2017). Remediation of mercury-contaminated sites: Challenges and strategies. Environmental Pollution, 231, 280-293.
  • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2013). Minamata Convention on Mercury. Available at: https://www.unep.org/
  • Clarkson, T. W., & Magos, L. (2016). The toxicology of mercury and its compounds. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 46(4), 273–316.
  • Boateng, K., et al. (2017). Mercury pollution from small-scale gold mining in Ghana. Journal of Environmental Management, 204, 385-393.
  • Hartmann, P. C., et al. (2017). Remediation of mercury-contaminated sites: Challenges and strategies. Environmental Pollution, 231, 280-293.
  • El-Fawal, H. A., et al. (2018). Neurotoxic effects of mercury: Implications for public health. Toxicology Reports, 5, 258–265.
  • UNEP. (2013). Minamata Convention on Mercury. United Nations Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/

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