Environment Problems

Alaska is still one of the most pristine areas in all the world, yet environmental problems frequently make the headlines. Air, water, soil and sound pollution affect areas throughout the state, even hundreds of miles away from civilization. Contaminated areas in Anchorage can affect areas in the Interior. For instance, traditional spawning areas for salmon can become highly contaminated with waste from nearby factories, sewage treatment plants, or pesticides from farms. The salmon come in to spawn as usual, but the salmon are killed due to the new contaminants. The eggs laid by the female salmon may get fertilized, but the salmon never reach a healthy enough state to make their return journey to the ocean. Native fishermen who rely on these salmon as a source of food must look else where. Thus, a whole village could be in jeopardy.

In the rest of this page you will learn of the different types of pollution and how it affects the land and people.

Types of Pollution
Definition
Types of Areas Affected
What it causes

Air Pollution An airborne substance that adversely affects the well-being of organisms or the life-support systems on which they depend. On or near environments that have a condensed way of living or where fossil fuels are used at an increasing rate. Acid rain, smog, change in temperature, damage growth of all plant life, lower air quality, water pollution.

Water Pollution A substance that changes the environment around water inhabitants. Places that have multiple ships that are operated on fossil fuels. Also, from garbage by irresponsible humans. Death of animals, lower quality of drinking water for animals and humans, plant life near shores to declines.

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Types of Pollution	Definition	Types of Areas Affected	What it causes
Air Pollution	An airborne substance that adversely affects the well-being of organisms or the life-support systems on which they depend.	On or near environments that have a condensed way of living or where fossil fuels are used at an increasing rate.	Acid rain, smog, change in temperature, damage growth of all plant life, lower air quality, water pollution.
Water Pollution	A substance that changes the environment around water inhabitants.	Places that have multiple ships that are operated on fossil fuels. Also, from garbage by irresponsible humans.	Death of animals, lower quality of drinking water for animals and humans, plant life near shores to declines.