Transportation technology is no exception: the single largest element responsible for the high-output power requirements of internal combustion engines had always been the need to overcome friction. For the same reason, all mechanical means of producing energy for transportation systems also require copious amounts of lubrication, adding another major source of environmental impact from petroleum waste products (Rodrigue, 2010).
The physical mechanics of thermal friction also contributes greatly to the pollution of the environment by virtue of the minute rubber particles from millions of truck and automobile tires continuously released into the atmosphere. In many cases, the materials used to manufacture rubber tires are highly toxic in the form of its absorption in soil and water (Rodrigue, 2010). More importantly, the gaseous release of carbon emissions from internal combustion engines contributes tremendously to acid...
Naturally, this unnatural chemical change introduced to the ecosystem accounts for numerous types of disruption to delicate habitats of indigenous biological organisms (Rodrigue, 2010).
Over time, the continuous exposure of road surfaces and infrastructure to acid rain and the constant mechanical loading and unloading of many tons of commercial traffic combines to erode the physical and structural integrity of the roads and infrastructure supports themselves (Rodrigue, 2010). Roads and infrastructure left in states of disrepair pose safety risks to all vehicles using those roads and, in many cases, to the surrounding communities as well. Ironically, even the repairs necessary to prevent those potential negative consequences are associated with their own independent potential risks to the environment. Specifically, the very construction processes necessary to repair roads and infrastructure utilize additional commercial transportation and also chemical and other byproducts of those construction processes that become additional sources of pollution and artificial changes to the ecosystem that threaten the environment (Rodrigue, 2010).
In that regard, the most realistic solutions include developing alternate forms of energy production (such as electrical power) for transportation systems and the economization of loading to minimize inefficiency and waste in commercial transportation. Finally, the prompt, continuous, and timely repair of roads and infrastructure to protect them as much as possible from long-term damage would avoid much of the necessity for major construction projects to repair extensive…
Environmental Science Environmental fundamentals Defining environmental science: The quest for sustainability Environmental science or environmental studies are defined as the "study of a range of environments, from the bodies we live, to the physical structures, institutions and industries we build, to the politics, languages and cultural practices we use to communicate, and to the earth and its complex multitude of animals, flora and bio-physical elements and processes" (What is environmental science, 2012, York
Environmental Science Minerals Minerals play a very important part in society, in terms of both the economy and health. People use minerals to stay healthy by means of food supplements. Minerals are also present in foods that people eat. Minerals also play a very important part in the mining industry and in the economy. According to the Mine-Engineer.com (2011) Website, the mining industry in the United States includes 140,000 employees. Metallic minerals can
Although proximity to the spraying of humans may be an issue, refuge during the spraying is possible, while it is impossible to entirely avoid exposure to insects throughout the summer. In contrast, when insecticide is sprayed, individuals can be specifically instructed to take cover during those times, and if necessary shelter could be provided to those individuals with inadequate housing, such as migrant workers. Step 4. Risk characterization. What is
By regulation, the design of the nuclear reactor must include stipulations for human operator error and equipment failure. Nuclear Plants in the western world use a Defense in Depth idea which is a system with numerous safety components, each with back-up and design to accommodate human error. The components include: "Control of Radioactivity - This requires being able to control the neutron flux. If the neutron flux is decreased the radioactivity
Environmental Sciences Obama Turns to Web to Illustrate the Effects of a Changing Climate This article discusses how the use of technology and the internet can aid in the overall global warming education process. The article explains how President Obama is using a mobile app to depict the effects of global warming in local communities. Through technology, Obama hopes to create awareness of the overall global warming issue, and its impact on
A number of countries are also likely to fall short of one or more legally required 2010 emission ceilings of four significant air pollutants. The requirement to decrease contact to air contamination persists to be a significant matter (About air pollution, n.d.). Air contamination persists to be a very important issue. Air contaminants discharged in one country are often transported in the environment and harm human well-being and the environment
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