SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

TOPIC: THE EFFECT OF LAND POLLUTION IN JAMAICA

Name: Denese Williams

Candidate: 100

Centre Number: 10065

Territory: Jamaica West Indies

Year of Exam: May/June 2023

Teacher: Mr. Aitcheson

Centre: Holy Trinity High School Evening Class

 Table of Content

Page

Plan of Investigation………………………………………………………..…………………….3

Artifact 1……………………………………………………………………………………….4 - 5

Artifact 2……………………………………………………………………………………….6 - 7

Artifact 3…………………………………………………………………………………………..8

Reflection 1 – How My Data Pieces Shaped My Thinking.............................................................9

Reflection 2 – Use of Language in My Data Pieces……………………………………………..10

Reflection 3 – How the Process of My SBA Helped Me To Become a Better Student…………11

Written Report……………………………………………………..…………………………….12

Artifacts Used for Group’s Written Report……………………………………...………………13

Oral Presentation Plan………………………………………………………………………...….14

Reference Page…………………………………………………………………………..……….15
 Plan of Investigation

The candidate has selected the theme land pollution for her School Based Assessment, however,
she has decided to place her focus on topic ‘effects of land pollution.

The candidate has selected this specific topic mainly because she want to if there is any severe
effects. The candidate is also curious and she intend to find out how severe the effects are.

As a student of English, the candidate expects to enhance her comprehension and summary skills
as she selects important points from her sources and also hopes to become a better writer or a
more confident writer. The candidate anticipates to benefit by increasing my knowledge,
vocabulary in my formal English

The candidate plans on collecting data by exploring the internet to find 3 internet articles. These
articles will therefore lay ground work/form the foundation for both her reflections and oral
presentation.
 Artifact 1

Effects of Land Pollution

The contamination of the land has far-reaching consequences that can be catastrophic for water,
soil, and animals. There are several possible consequences of land pollution to the environment
and animals, including these top five:

1. Ground water poisoning

Depending on the soil and whether the chemicals were improperly disposed of on the land, the
chemicals could end up in the ground water. The process is known as leaching. It can occur on
farms, industrial sites, and landfills.

2. Water nutrient enrichment

Chemicals, such as nitrogen, are used frequently on farms. Only a small portion of the nutrients
end up benefitting the crops. The remainder usually ends up in water that is populated by fish,
algae, and other lifeforms. The nutrient-heavy water saps up most of the oxygen in the water,
which leaves little for fish and other life. When this happens, the water is unable to support most
lifeforms. For more information on water polution, click here. 

3. Loss of topsoil

As chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used to maintain crops, the topsoil’s composition
becomes altered. The soil becomes more susceptible to harmful fungus species and begins to
erode. It is important to conserve our soil to maximize land productivity.

4. Shifting habitat

As deforestation and soil erosion progress, animals are forced to move to find shelter and food.
For some animals, the change is too traumatic, and this has led to some dying. As a result, some
species are at a greater risk of extinction.

5. Increased risk of wildfires

The dry conditions created by pollutants in the soil help to create the perfect environment for
wildfires. The fires can grow quickly because of the dry conditions and widening area of polluted
land.
Effects of Land Pollution on Humans

The impact of land pollution is not limited just to the earth and animals. Humans can also
experience negative consequences that can influence quality of life and health.

Some of the potential consequences include birth defects, the development of breathing
disorders, skin diseases, and cancer. Most of these develop after exposure to waste from water
poisoning and soil contamination.

Land pollution has also been linked to developmental deficits in children. Chemicals that are
commonly found in contaminated soil and water, such as lead, have can impact a child’s
cognitive development even if the exposure is very low.
 Artifact 2

What are the Effects of Land Pollution?

1. Soil Pollution: Soil pollution is the contamination of the upper layer of the soil.
Soil erosion, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, deforestation, and
overgrazing is one of the main reasons for soil pollution. 
2. Water Pollution: The toxic waste material and liquids that are discarded on land
contaminate water through the sewage system and sludges. The contamination of
soil seeps down and causes pollution in the groundwater and destroys the water
table. Water pollution is not only affecting us but is also damaging our water
ecosystems by killing and poisoning them.
3. Air Pollution: The waste that does not degrade in the soil, called non-
biodegradable waste, is then burned, which causes air pollution because of the toxic
substances that are emitted into the air. Air pollution is a major health hazard for
humans. 
4. Effects on Human Health: Land pollution can lead to the formation of breeding
grounds for rodents, flies, and mosquitoes. These pollute the environment even
further and cause dangerous diseases like malaria, dengue, and plague. 
Chemical substances like arsenic, mercury, chromium, lead, and ammonia, etc. can
contaminate water and flora that grows on land. It poisons animals and humans. 
Air pollution that is caused due to land pollution is one of the main reasons for
lungs and breathing problems. Water pollution can cause terrible diseases like
cholera and diarrhoea.
0. Effect on Our Environment: Our environment is very badly affected by land
pollution. Soil erosion and deforestation caused by soil and land pollution lead to
landslides and mudslides. Toxic waste mixing in the water and land affects flora and
fauna very adversely. Healthy air is replaced by smoke and soot that only contains
harmful substances emitted through industries especially. 
The waste also generates a very rotten smell that is impossible to tolerate. Soil
pollution is also one of the main causes of the formation of barren land, which is
useless and unproductive. All the nutrients in the soil have depleted, and total flora
has decayed. 
A land full of harmful toxins like lead and mercury makes it very hard to grow
organic food items. It becomes very difficult for the children to play outside in such
an unhealthy environment. 
The effect of land pollution on soil, water, and the air is destroying our various
ecosystems and posing a threat to their very existence.
0. Effect on Climate: There has emerged an imbalance between different
ecosystems. They all have been damaged and destroyed at great lengths so much so
that it is directly affecting the climate of the planet and, therefore, contributing greatly
to increasing global warming. Plants are destroyed, and trees are cut down for
industrial and personal uses, and the human population is only increasing manifold day
by day. The requirement for oxygen has increased, but the source is depleting faster
than ever. The emission of carbon dioxide is soaring so much that it is heating our
planet at a tremendous rate. 
 Artifact 3

Effects of Land Pollution

Land pollution touches essentially every area of the living world, including:

● Contamination of drinking water

● Polluted soil, which leads to a loss of fertile land for agriculture and a reduction in the
availability of food
● Climate change, which causes an onslaught of disastrous problems, including flash floods
and irregular rainfalls 
● The endangerment and extinction of species in wildlife
● Habitat destruction, where animal and plants wiped out in certain areas
● Habitat shifting, where animals are forced to flee where they live in order to survive
● An increase in wildfires due to polluted areas often becoming very dry
● Increased air pollution, which burning waste contributes to
● Increased soil pollutants can enter the body through the food chain, and cause health
issues
● Increased human health issues, including cancer, respiratory illnesses, and congenital
disabilities, caused by exposure to harmful chemicals.
 Reflection 1 – how my data pieces shaped my thinking
Prior to conducting my research, I believed that land pollution solely affected human health and
atmosphere, but after reading my articles my thoughts and feelings have changed.

After carefully reading my data pieces – which were all internet articles, I now realize that land
pollution not only affects humans and the atmosphere but also contributes to air, soil and water
pollution and affects every living and non-living organisms. Depending on the soil and whether
chemicals were improperly disposed of on land, the chemicals could end up in the ground water,
this process is known as leaching. Topsoil can also be affected, as chemical fertilizers and
pesticides are used to maintain crops, the topsoil composition becomes altered. The soil becomes
more susceptible to harmful fungus species and begins to erode. Some of the potential
consequences towards humans include birth defect, the development of breathing disorders, skin
diseases, and cancer.

Because I am well informed on the different effects on land pollution, I feel that we can
encourage other to dispose of their garbage’s properly.
 Reflection 2 –use of language in my data pieces
After attentively examining my data pieces, I have noticed the writers intention for writing
his/her pieces; also, I have observed what use of language the writer used in order to achieve
his/her purpose.

My first artifact, an internet article which explains the different effects of land pollution on both
the environment and human. The writer’s intention is to inform the reader about the effects of
land pollution on the environment and human. The writer used a good variety of language
techniques to add meaning to his/her writing and help to achieve his/her purpose. The two (2)
most dominant techniques I observed were the use formal language and emotive language. The
writer used formal language to create a serious and informative mood and emotive language to
evoke emotion in the reader.

In my second artifact, an internet article, the writer’s intention is to also inform and educate
readers about the effects of land pollution. The two (2) most dominant observed were formal
language and emotive language.

Lastly, my third artifact an internet article, outlines the different effects of land pollution, the
writer’s intention is to educate and inform the reader. The two (2) most dominant languages are
formal language and emotive language.
 Reflection 3 – How the SBA process helped me to become a better
student/person
The process of completing this SBA has impacted me positively. It has furthered my overall
skills and abilities that have made me both a better student and person.

The process helped me to develop better research skills and made me realize that it is very
important to find out if your source is reliable and if the information is true because some sites
can be edited by anyone which means that the information it contains could be a work in
progress, vandalism or wrong.

My research has helped me to choose words with greater precision which means that I am now
able to understand the context in which they are used better.
 Written Report

The theme chosen by my group was “POLLUTION” We started with our teacher explaining the

different aspects of the SBA. We chose five sub-themes that spoke about the central theme in the

best way possible. Our sub-themes were “WATER POLLUTION,” “SOIL POLLUTION,” “THE

EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN HUMANS,” “AIR POLLUTION,” and

“NOISE POLLUTION” This project has helped us to broaden our vocabulary skills as well as

our summary writing skills. We started by asking the question why do people pollute the

environment?

The 3rd artifacts chosen for this report were,

1: “ WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF LAND AND SOIL POLLUTION” by

Conservationintitute.org

2: “WHAT IS WATER POLLUTION” by world bank

3: “THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ON HUMANS” by the scientific

world dated 2019.

These artifacts were informative and also contained text features. Working with my group

members was very knowledgeable and adventurous, we learned patience and how to work with

others. Our group met at the park to discuss the pieces that were chosen. Finding some of the

artifacts were difficult but the challenge widened our understanding and helped to develop our

vocabulary.
 The artifact labeled “What are the causes of land and soil pollution” was informative and

self-aware and was an expository piece. It sheds light on how bad pollution was. it elaborated on

the many damaging aspects of soil pollution.

The second artifact, “What is water pollution” although frightening, enlightens us on the

undesirable state of water pollution on the environment, with domestic waste being one of the

major pollutants.

The artifact “The effects of environmental pollution on humans” contains supplementary

features that delved into how inhumane pollution was and the diseases caused by the different

types of pollution such as cancer and asthma just to name a few of the artifacts to shed light on

how harmful pollution was in general.

 Oral Presentation Plan

Good evening everyone, My Brown, Mr Aitcheson and fellow classmates. My name is Denese
Williams and welcome to my presentation. My topic is Pollution and the subtopic is land
pollution. My presentation will be done in Standard English. First of all, let me thank you all for
coming here today.

For the last ten years of my life I have been living in the community of Riverton City, where land
pollution has been a daily part of my life. Land pollution is the cause of many different factors
that ultimately pollute the land, such as solid waste, chemicals, illegal dumping, agricultural
activities and deforestation. These all cause a bad effect on the environment. 

What are the causes of pollution? Unsustainable agricultural practices, the improper disposal of
waste (both hazardous and non-hazardous), mining as well as illegal dumping and littering.
These practices are very harmful especially to children and the elderly who are most vulnerable
to illnesses.

What is the negative effect of land pollution? Land pollution can cause health effects on humans
including organ failure from contaminated metal, birth defects, increased risk of cancers and a
host of other long-term problems. 

Land pollution can be prevented by implementing proper waste disposal techniques which

includes practicing the three R's:  Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The way to move forward is to reduce toxic materials and recycle waste materials so that they
can be reused.

In conclusion, this topic chose me due to my community and surrounding environment. We all
can play our part in preventing land pollution, Let’s take the challenge today! Remember, the
3Rs Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Thank you.
Artifacts used in the Group Written Report
 Reference Page
Artifact 1 – Land Pollution: Causes, Effects, And Solutions For The Future (conservationinstitute.org)

Artifact 2 – Effects of Land Pollution – Definition and Causes (vedantu.com)

Artifact 3 - Land Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Prevention | TDS (texasdisposal.com)