EARTH SCIENCE

Lesson 6

Lesson Title: Human Activity and the Environment

Learning Target: At the end of the lesson, the students CAN;

1. Explain how different types of waste effect people’s health and
the environment S11E-li-j-20
2. Cite ways of reducing the production of waste at home, in school,
around the community S11E-li-lj-21
1. Essential ideas

Mining for Mineral Extraction

Mineral deposits are found by geologists by
mapping Earth's surface for clues of valuable
minerals. The grade of the mineral reflects its
economic value. Hence, mining activities could
commence if the grade is high.

There are two main mining techniques.

1. Surface mining. This is a technique of
extracting ore or minerals near Earth’s surface.

a. Open-pit mining Is the Most common method

of surtace mining where ore or minerals are
extracted from an open pit or burrow.
b. Strip mining. The layers of earth,
soil, rock vegetation, and filth that
covers the minerals is called
overburden. The overburden is
removed to expose the seam of
mineral for excavation.

c. In mountaintop removal mining,

explosives are used to remove the
overburden off the top of
mountains.
2. Underground mining. This is a mining technique used to dig tunnels or
shafts at greater depths to reach hard mineral deposits like ore that may
contain gold, silver, and copper.

Environmental Impacts
From exploration to the processing and
recovery of minerals, all of the land, water, and air in and near the extraction
area are affected by the destruction and the waste generated from various
complex activities of mining.

The following may result from mining activities:

1. Soil erosion
2. Dust
3. Destruction of habitats
4. Contamination of soil, surface water, and groundwater by chemicals
5. Loss of valuable land
 Energy Production
The process of extracting fossil fuels is as destructive as
mining valuable minerals. The same environmental
degradation on land and its ecosystem is expected during the
exploration and recovery because of the invasive methods of
extraction. The entry of huge machinery and equipment alone
can already destroy habitats on land, and in the seas and
oceans, especially when oil rigs are installed. In the case of
natural gas extraction, drilling production wells may cause
possible contamination of groundwater or eventual destruction
of the groundwater table. In extreme cases, changes or
disturbances in bedrock, whether it be underground mining or
hydraulic fracturing, may induce land subsidence or lowering
of the ground. In the power plant, coal is ted into the turnace
and burned to produce concentrated steam
Natural gas extraction - drilling production
wells may cause possible contamination of
groundwater or eventual destruction of the
groundwater table. The release of carbon
emissions in processing fossil fuels to generate
electricity is perhaps the major issue. Burning
fossil fuels releases large amounts of oxides of
carbon (CO, CO2) into the atmosphere and is
considered as a major contributor to global
warming. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas
and when it accumulates in the atmosphere, it
may prevent heat in the atmosphere from
escaping.
Water Treatment (Physical, Biological, and Chemical
Treatment)

Most of the environmental impacts associated with water

processing are related to the exploitation or over abstraction or
over withdrawal from a water source. Since water is a prime
commodity, the high demand for it requires more withdrawals
of water from freshwater resources and groundwater. Water
depletion or drying-out happens especially if the rate of water
discharge or withdrawal exceeds the rate of recharge (process
of replenishing water supply, usually through rainfall). Too
much withdrawal of groundwater creates a cone of depression
which eventually makes the ground hollow and may cause
ground surface to collapse.
Arable Land for Crop Production

The development of various kinds of machines following

the Industrial Revolution resulted in major changes in the
way agriculture is done. Machines and fuel-based
equipment replaced animal-drawn farm implements,
resulting in a need to expand space for agriculture in
order to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of this
mechanization.
Environmental Impacts
1. Excessive tillage results in loss of organic matter. Tilling may break the soil
structure, increase the risk of soil erosion, destroy the habitat of helpful organisms,
and cause compaction, but this may increase soil aeration.
2. Use of pesticides and other synthetic fertilizers can be toxic to non-target organisms.
3. Commercially produced or synthetic fertilizers pollute water
Major Environmental Impacts and
Mitigation Schemes of Using Different
Energy Sources
Water Conservation Practices
Domestic
1. Use water only when necessary.
2. Regularly check for leaks in faucets and water
pipes to prevent water wastage.
3. In watering plants in the garden, it is suggested
that watering be done in the early morning rather
than midday.
4. Rainwater may also be collected and stored in
mosquito-proof containers. Collected water can be
used for washing cars, flushing toilets, or future
watering of plants.

Municipal/City Use
• 1. Make a feasible plan on water usage.
• 2. Regulate the use of aquifers by issuing
permits, in case of large operations such as
industrial activities.
3. Obtain potable water by preserving a
watershed, like the La Mesa Watershed Reserve
in Quezon City.
Soil Conservation Practices
Soil conservation is usually practiced in farming
where soil stress may happen if faulty farming systems
are utilized. Whenever soil is lost by any of the
exogenous processes of Earth, the topsoil, which is the
most productive layer, loses its fertility. To minimize the
loss of topsoil, even outside the context of agriculture,
the following may be applied.
• a. Enhance organic matter content of soils.
Organic matter consists of crop residues and manure
or compost. Organic matter develops soil structure,
improves water-and-nutrient-holding capacity of soil,
and protects the soil against erosion and compaction.
• b. Avoid excessive tillage. Tilling helps in loosening
surface soil, but too much of it can break up soil
structure and speed up decomposition and loss of
organic matter
c. Apply proper pest management. Pesticides have been proven to
affect non-target organisms and pollute the soil and water systems.
Where pesticides are deemed necessary, make sure to follow user
instructions.
d. Prevent soil compaction. Soil compaction occurs when soil
particles are pressed together and there is reduced pore space between
soil particles. Compacted soil reduces the rate of water infiltration and
drainage, slows down the exchange of gases, and strengthens plant
roots to penetrate the compacted soil. Thus, compacted soil does not
promote healthy farming.

Proper Waste Disposal and Management

Solid wastes- these are generally made up of objects or particles that

accumulate on the site (as opposed to water and air wastes, which
disperse). Whether it is a domestic, commercial, or industrial setting,
the key to managing solid wastes is to apply segregation at the source
and implement the 3Rs or reduce, recycle, and reuse
a. Segregation - Solid wastes can be grouped based on
their ability to decompose Segregating wastes can help
reduce the volume of wastes generated in every home
and establishment since some, or most, of the wastes
may still be recovered and be used for a different
purpose.
1. Biodegradable wastes are usually wet and organic,
such as kitchen wastes.
2. Non-biodegradable wastes, on the other hand, are
those that are usually dry like plastics, paper, and glass.

b. 3Rs - The segregated wastes may now be sorted for

materials that may still be used for a different purpose.
Recycling- means using the object again for a different
purpose. Recycled materials may be used in either their
original form or may be converted to another form to
be used as raw materials for a different product.
2. Gaseous wastes -Human activities that involve machines
and other technology emit gaseous pollutants. Hence, the
larger the scale of operation, the higher the volume and
toxicity of emissions from these industries. In heavy
industries such as mining, energy production, and
manufacturing, certain air pollutants should be abated
through filtration or detoxification processes.
a. Conserve energy
b. Use catalytic converters in cars
c. Engage in carpooling, using public transportation or
biking, or walking
d. Avoid burning. Burning leaves in the backyard has been
a cultural habit of Filipinos. Aside from being just a habit, it
is believed to drive away mosquitoes. However, burning
releases toxic chemicals like dioxins and furans that are
associated with respiratory problems.
e. Use water-based sprays or solvent-free paints.