Pollution is speeding up the decline of our ecosystems in several ways:
Chemical Contaminants: Chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals can poison our soil and water. This can harm plants and animals. For example, when mercury gets into water, it can hurt fish. This, in turn, impacts the whole food chain.
Nutrient Runoff: When too much nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers wash into rivers and oceans, it can cause algal blooms. These blooms use up the oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" where fish and other sea life can’t survive.
Plastic Pollution: Plastics can break down into tiny pieces called microplastics. These tiny bits can end up in the food chain, affecting both marine animals and those on land.
All of these pollutants disrupt the variety of life in our ecosystems and upset the balance in nature. This threatens how strong and healthy our ecosystems can be.
Pollution is speeding up the decline of our ecosystems in several ways:
Chemical Contaminants: Chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals can poison our soil and water. This can harm plants and animals. For example, when mercury gets into water, it can hurt fish. This, in turn, impacts the whole food chain.
Nutrient Runoff: When too much nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers wash into rivers and oceans, it can cause algal blooms. These blooms use up the oxygen in the water, creating "dead zones" where fish and other sea life can’t survive.
Plastic Pollution: Plastics can break down into tiny pieces called microplastics. These tiny bits can end up in the food chain, affecting both marine animals and those on land.
All of these pollutants disrupt the variety of life in our ecosystems and upset the balance in nature. This threatens how strong and healthy our ecosystems can be.