term "biosphere" was first introduced by the Austrian geologist and paleontologist Edward Eossom in 1875. Literally translated, it represents areas of life.But long before this period of biosphere given other names.It was referred to as "picture of nature", "living space", "living sheath" and so on. N. The contents of this concept was seen by many naturalists.
history of the study of the biosphere
Initially, the terms "picture of nature" and the like meant only as a set of living organisms that lived on the planet.However, biologist JB Lamarck (1744-1829 gg.) Was put forward revolutionary opinion.He pointed out that living organisms play a huge role in the formation of the Earth's crust.Lamarck stressed that the substances, which are part of it, were formed as a result of living organisms.
Over the years, the idea that between the animate and inanimate nature, there is a close relationship, and that all organisms produce effects on the surrounding chemical, geological and physical factors are increasingly overcome by the minds of scientists.It was affected and the changes that have occurred in the overall approach to the study of nature.Natural scientists are increasingly convinced that the processes and phenomena occurring in the human environment, it is necessary to study in the general population.
About sixty years ago, Academician VI Vernadsky was developed doctrine of the biosphere as an envelope of the Earth, which is inhabited by living organisms.This somewhat changed the meaning.Now the concept of "biosphere" applies not only to the body, but also on their environment.
composition
is believed that the composition of the biosphere include:
- nutrients, resulting from the process of vital activity of organisms (limestone, coal, gas atmosphere, and so on. D.);
- living matter, which is a set of organisms;
- bone substance, which appeared without any living organisms (volcanic lava, rocks and so basic. D.);
- biokostnoe substance become combined result abiogenous soil processes and activity of organisms.
development of human society and the biosphere
people since its inception have a direct impact on their environment.This period lasts for about 30-40 million years.Human impact on the Earth's biosphere is anthropogenic factor.
beginning of its existence has served as the Stone Age, which coincided with a period of glaciation.In order to survive, people had to hunt large animals such as the north and red deer, woolly rhinoceros, mammoth tour and so on. D. Confirmation of this fact - the bones of wild animals that have been found by scientists to ancient sites.Human impact on the evolution of the biosphere in the Stone Age was reflected in the mass extermination of large herbivores.The consequence was a reduction in the number of hunting birds of many populations, as well as the disappearance of some species.
10-13 thousand years ago, the ice age has replaced sharp warming.Across Europe, spread forests, the extinction of large animals occurred.During this period, the influence of the biosphere on human was very significant.Changing environmental conditions and changed the lives of people.This has shattered the current economic base of society.People have moved to a different period of development, leaving behind a purely consumerist attitude towards the environment.
Entered a new stone age, when at the same time hunting, fishing and gathering mushrooms and berries was growing importance of food production.Influence of the biosphere on human gradually decreased.Began to take the first attempts to plant breeding and domestication.In support of this the scientists discovered human settlements of the period, which were found wheat, barley and lentils.There were also bones of domestic animals - pigs and sheep.
With the development of human society began to emerge pastoral and agricultural economy.Later, people began to develop mineral resources.There has been the emergence of metallurgy.
In the last two centuries, human impact on the biosphere has become especially intense.This is due to the qualitative leap in the development of technology and science.Today, human impact on the biosphere has taken planetary scale.At the same time it has a direct and indirect impact on the further evolution of the environment.
Conflicts between humans and the biosphere
entire historical period of co-existence of nature and society can be expressed in the unity of the two different trends.First of all, the impact of human activities on the biosphere is rapidly and continuously expanding due to its ever-increasing domination over nature.In addition, there is a constant deepening discord between society and the environment.
use of natural resources
Human impact on the biosphere is expressed primarily in the fact that it attracts to the needs of society large parts of the Earth, producing greater and greater amounts of mineral resources, which are divided into the inexhaustible and exhaustible.The first of these is wind power, sea waves and solar radiation.This climate, water resources and space.Inexhaustible considered as water and air.However, human activity has made such a determination relative.So, as a result of pollution caused by economic needs, the water in some areas of the world has moved into the category of deficiency.
Currently only conditionally to the inexhaustible resources can be attributed to oxygen.Scientists believe that in order to restore the previous status of the water and the atmosphere should have a positive impact of man on the biosphere.Its implementation is possible in the form of development and further implementation of various large-scale environmental programs.
Influence of human activities on the biosphere and is expressed in the use of exhaustible resources.These include: soil fertility, fauna and flora, as well as minerals.Use them for your needs man started far back as the Neolithic period.At first, people began to use copper and gold nuggets.Later they began to mine and smelt ore different.Of these minerals prepared tin, lead, silver and copper.Today, in its industrial production person uses most of the known mineral ores, as well as oil, coal and gas.The development of science and technology to society opens new scope of ferrous and nonferrous metals, as well as various non-metallic materials.At the same time expanding the development and production of low-grade ores and increasing the volume of oil produced from wells located on the seabed.
into economic circulation of mankind are vast areas of our planet.However, despite this, the area thereof is increasing year by year.It is growing and use of game animals, fish and timber resources.
air pollution
Every year on our planet is increasing population density.This increases and the impact of humans on the natural environment.As a rule, the negative consequences of all this activity the first assumes the biosphere.Human impact on the environment could change the course of a century has long-established biogenic processes.
One result of development of the industry is air pollution.This is especially noticeable in the city, as well as within the factory and factory areas.Here, in the atmosphere increases sharply concentration level of harmful emissions.As a consequence, there is a reverse impact on the human biosphere.First of all, it is expressed in the danger polluted air carries our health.In addition, harmful gases connected with the moisture in the atmosphere and fall to the ground as acid rain.Such deposits impair the quality of the soil, reducing crop yields.
main sources of air pollution - iron and steel production, as well as facilities that burn fossil fuels.Hazardous substances released into the air from the furnace, the exhaust pipes of cars and stoves.A particularly dangerous element is sulfur dioxide.It is a poisonous gas that dissolves easily in water.Contact this and other pollutants in the human respiratory system and use of food leads to the biosphere impact on the human body adversely.
presence of a high concentration of sulfur dioxide is observed near the smelters.This substance causes the underdevelopment of crops destroys chlorophyll and helps to dry out and fall off the leaves and pine needles.Part of this gas is subsequently oxidized.As a result of this reaction are sulfuric anhydrite, which not only causes harm to all living things, but also destroys the building.In addition, getting the soil, this element leaches therefrom humus, plant from which they receive the necessary nutrients.
Due to the constant burning of a large amount of fuel and the pollution of the biosphere.The impact of pollution on human rather negatively.The fact that the atmosphere falls plurality toxic compounds.This carbon and nitrogen oxides, lead compounds and various carbohydrates such as ethylene and acetylene.These harmful components, connecting the air with water droplets become poisonous fog - smog.He destroys the plant world cities.In addition, the manifest and the negative impact on human health of the biosphere.Poison mist contributes to the manifestation of many diseases, including cancer.
pollution of fresh water
consumption growth of this important natural resource is associated with an increase in the number of inhabitants of the planet, improve their sanitary conditions and the development of irrigated agriculture and industry.All this may lead to the probability of occurrence of "water starvation."And there must be exerted a positive influence on the human biosphere.One of the measures to address this problem is the development of questions on sustainable consumption of water resources.In addition, measures should be taken to eliminate the discharge of industrial wastes into the rivers.It poisons deaden water.
pollution of the seas
At the river flows into the waters of the oceans act petroleum pathogenic waste, toxic types of organic compounds, many salts of heavy metals.
As a result, the pollution reaches such proportions that caught shellfish and fish unfit for human consumption.
Changes soil
Each year, people gather on the fields of crops.With him out of the fertile soil layers removed large amounts of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, that is, substances necessary for plant nutrition.To replenish these important components of the field are made annually for organic and mineral fertilizers.Their scope should be sufficient to produce a large crop and removing fertile layer depletion.The important part is to maintain the quality of the fields and the use of proper crop rotation.When
wrong person tillage soil erosion occurs.This destruction of the upper layer, provoked by wind or water flow.Excessive grazing in the steppes and semi-deserts may cause wind erosion.
As a result, human activities threaten withholding of large areas of the agricultural turnover.It is also possible for the open method of mining.Spoil and destroy deep pits large areas of adjacent territories.This is a violation of the hydrological regime of the area, water pollution, air and soil.At the same time reduces the yield of crops.
Impact on flora and fauna
As a result, the direct impact of man on nature takes the indirect environmental change.One form of such influence is clear cutting of forests.At the same plants remained lower tier are under the influence of adverse direct sunlight.In shade-loving flora destroyed chlorophyll and inhibited growth.The result is loss of individual species.Undergoes changes and the world of animals.Those species which is associated with the existence of forest stand, migrate to other locations or disappear.
negative impact on the vegetation of the forest have visiting tourists and vacationers.They're trampling and soil compaction as well as polluting.
negative impact on wildlife harvesting has the fauna, which represent human nutritional value or are able to bring material benefit.This fact leads some species to the brink of extinction.And this, in turn, causes a decrease in the stability of biocenoses.
Contamination
In 1945, our planet is faced with a huge challenge.It happened after on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs the Americans dropped.Mankind learned about the nuclear contamination of the biosphere.A more global scale, this question received after the nuclear weapons tests conducted until 1963
explosions, atomic bombs cause strong ionizing radiation.This radioactive particles are carried over long distances, contaminating living organisms, water and soil.And here it is beginning to have a negative impact on the human biosphere.Radioactive isotopes entering the body, detrimental effect on the cells of tissues and organs.This person is exposed from a variety of diseases, including deaths.
testing of nuclear weapons and carry another danger.During the formation of a bomb blast a huge amount of fine dust.Its particles are permanently retained in the atmosphere and not pass to the earth significant amount of solar radiation.This can lead to the onset of the "nuclear cooling", which will lead to the death of all living organisms.
