Chapter 23: Problem 10

Give some examples of how humans have changed the solid Earth.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Humans have changed the solid Earth in various ways, including deforestation, which alters landscapes and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions; urbanization, which leads to soil compaction and increased risk of flooding; mining, causing land subsidence and contamination of soil and water resources; land reclamation, leading to altered ecosystems and drainage patterns; and agricultural practices that cause soil compaction, erosion, and degradation while contributing to habitat loss and ecosystem disruption.

Step by step solution

1: Deforestation

Deforestation is one of the most significant ways humans have changed the solid Earth. By cutting down vast areas of forests, humans have altered the landscape, disrupted ecosystems, and influenced erosion rates and soil quality. Furthermore, deforestation has also contributed to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, which have an impact on the Earth's climate.

2: Urbanization

The expansion of cities and urban areas has also had a significant impact on the solid Earth. Humans have changed the landscape by constructing buildings, roads, and infrastructure on previously undeveloped land. This can lead to soil compaction, loss of vegetation, and an increase in impervious surfaces, which can affect local hydrology, water quality, and increase the risk of flooding.

3: Mining

Mining activities have dramatically altered the solid Earth. In order to extract valuable resources such as coal, oil, and minerals, humans have dug deep into the Earth, creating large quarries, open-pit mines, and underground mines. These activities not only cause the removal of large amounts of rock and soil, leading to land subsidence, but also can result in the contamination of soil and water resources.

4: Land Reclamation

Humans have also changed the solid Earth through land reclamation. This process involves creating new land from areas that were once covered by water, usually by filling in marshy areas, wetlands, or shallow coastal regions with soil and rocks. Land reclamation can lead to changes in local ecosystems, loss of biodiversity, and altered drainage patterns.

5: Agricultural Practices

Intensive agricultural practices have also had a significant impact on the solid Earth. The use of heavy machinery, irrigation systems, and the application of fertilizers and pesticides can lead to soil compaction, erosion, and degradation. Moreover, the conversion of forests and grasslands into agricultural land further contributes to the loss of natural habitats, disruption of ecosystems, and greenhouse gas emissions.

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Give some examples of how humans have changed the solid Earth.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

1: Deforestation

2: Urbanization

3: Mining

4: Land Reclamation

5: Agricultural Practices

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