The Impact of Humans

Over the course of human history rivers have reflected the impact of human activity. Since the beginnings of the great civilizations 5000 years ago, humankind, in its pursuit of agriculture, exploration and conquest, has exploited and mistreated the environment on a broad scale. Major changes on the face of the earth occurred. Forests were cut, pastures grazed, fields cleared and plowed "... as the landscape was carved to fit the new economic demands of humankind." (7). Such changes have been well documented (2-5). 

The results of map generation cannot be expressed effectively with the format available here. However, the State of Oregon utilized the map and matrix techniques in their nonpoint source evaluation and as a basis for designing more intensive survey approaches to assessing the impact of human activity on river quality. In addition to reflecting deposition of sediments, the methods can be applied to transport of pesticides, nutrients and trace elements since many of these substances tend to adsorb to the organic and inorganic fractions of soil. 

Mercury provides an excellent example of the importance of metal speciation in understanding biogeochemical cycling and the impact of human activities on these cycles. Mercury exists in solid, aqueous, and gaseous phases, and is transported among reservoirs in all these forms. It undergoes precipitation-dissolution, volatilization, complexation, sorption, and biological reactions, all of which alter its mobility and its effect on exposed populations. The effect of all... 

In this introductory chapter, a broad overview is given of the history of chemical warfare on earth, and the compounds, species, and mechanisms involved. The impact of human-made compounds on the environment, which is the subject of this book, is an extremely recent event in evolutionary terms. It is important to take a holistic view, and to see the effects of human-made pollutants on the environment against the background of chemical warfare in nature. 

Epps, P.G., White Pill, Yellow Pill, Red Pill, Brown Pill Pharmacoeconomics and the Changing Face of Medicine The Challenges and the Impact of Humane Genome Research in Minority Communities. Zeta Phi Beta Society, Inc., National Educational Foundation, July 7-8, 2000, Philadelphia PA (2000). 

A generally accepted definition of the Precautionary Principle has never been brought forward. According to a popular definition (Wikipedia 2006) The precautionary principle is a moral and political principle which states that if an action or policy might cause severe or irreversible harm to the public, in the absence of a scientific consensus that harm would not ensue, the burden of proof falls on those who would advocate taking the action. The precautionary principle is most often applied in the context of the impact of human actions on the environment and human health, as both involve complex systems where the consequences of actions may be unpredictable. ... 

Science for Assessment of the Impacts of Human Pharmacenticals on Aqnatic Ecosystem. Snowbird, Utah, 3 to 8 Jun 2003. Pnblished by SETAC,... 

In 1947, Patrick established a new department of limnology (the study of lakes, ponds, and streams) at the academy, a department that is now known as the Patrick Center for Environmental Research. The purpose of the department has been to study the structure and function of freshwater ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, and wetlands, along with the impact of human activities on these systems. Patrick served as curator of the center and chair of the Department of Limnology at the academy for more than decades. In 2003, at the age of 94, she still held the titles of Senior Scientist and Francis Boyer Chair of Limnology at the academy. 

Ji H, Li D, ChenL et al. The impact of human EGFR kinase domain mutations on lung tumorigenesis and in vivo sensitivity to EGFR-targeted therapies. Cancer Cell 2006 9 485 95. 

The term carbon footprint refers to the impact of human activities on the environment measured in terms of the amounts of... 

Our planet is a gigantic terrarium, and collectively we are its caretakers. With this job comes the responsibility to learn how Earth s resources can be properly managed for the benefit of all its inhabitants. In this chapter we explore some of the fundamental dynamics of the atmosphere and the impact of human activities. 

In many cases, the impact of human disturbances cannot be predicted because a fundamental understanding of natural chemical cycles is lacking,... 

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