Pollution in Norilsk
Led by the University of Cambridge, an international team of researchers studied the ring width and chemical composition of both living and dead trees in Norilsk, Siberia, to show the damage done from decades of nickel and copper mining. Norilsk, Siberia is one of the most polluted places in the world, due to the intense mining of the copper, nickel, and palladium found in the area from the 1930's all the way to today. This area is also home to large boreal forests, which, as a result of pollution, are being destroyed. Researchers studying these trees have found that the destruction began in the 1960's, and continued to increase dramatically after 1970. In addition to this, scientists had previously believed global warming would greatly increase the number and survival of boreal forests, but after seeing the effect of pollution found the outcome to be the complete opposite of their expectations. The researchers studying these changes say that if the number of these trees continues to diminish, it could have major effects on the global carbon cycle.
This article shows just how dangerous pollution is to not only an ecosystem or a biome, but the entire world. This one area, Norilsk, can have enough effect to damage the carbon cycle of the entire world! With that being said, unless there are worldwide regulation being put in place, I don't see the mining and other factors causing pollution being stopped any time soon. Mining is a way for the area/country to make money and gain resources, and unlike American, many countries to do care about pollution and would not listen to anyone regarding it, simply because stopping pollution would mean stopping some major way for the country to gain money and resources.
Norilsk, Siberia, is home massive population of trees and many boreal forests, however many of these trees have been destroyed by a process that started long ago. The excessive mining of ores like copper and Nickle has caused the trees in the nearby areas to die quicker than other trees far from mining facilities. The evidence gathered by The University of Cambridge shows and proves to us the dangers of excessive mining to the native wildlife near the mining vicinities. Digging up all of the local minerals and ores in a single area obviously affects the plant life there, however the mining wont stop due to it being one of the main sources of material and income for the businesses.
ReplyDelete