What are the major causes of ocean pollution, and how does it affect marine life and human health?
The title of the "ancient city of the world" is often attributed to Jericho, located in the modern-day West Bank. Here’s why Jericho is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities: 1. Archaeological Evidence Jericho dates back to around 10,000 BCE during the Neolithic period, making iRead more
The title of the “ancient city of the world” is often attributed to Jericho, located in the modern-day West Bank. Here’s why Jericho is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities:
1. Archaeological Evidence
Jericho dates back to around 10,000 BCE during the Neolithic period, making it approximately 12,000 years old.
Excavations have revealed evidence of early settlement, including ancient stone walls, towers, and dwellings.
2. Early Civilization
Jericho was a key site for early human transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities.
The city’s proximity to the Jordan River and fertile lands made it a center for early farming.
Other Ancient Cities
While Jericho holds the title of the oldest continuously inhabited city, other ancient cities also have significant claims to antiquity:
1. Byblos (Lebanon): Estimated to have been inhabited since around 5000 BCE. Known as a major Phoenician port and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities.
2. Aleppo and Damascus (Syria): Both have evidence of habitation dating back to around 4000 BCE or earlier. Damascus is often considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited capitals.
3. Çatalhöyük (Turkey): Dates back to 7500 BCE, but it was more of a large settlement than a city.
4. Varanasi (India): Known as the spiritual capital of India, with origins possibly dating back to around 3000 BCE.
While several cities vie for the title of the “oldest,” Jericho is widely recognized as the oldest continuously inhabited city based on archaeological and historical evidence.
See less
pollution, the addition of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or any form of energy (such as heat, sound, or radioactivity) to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless form. The major kinds of pollution, usually classifieRead more
pollution, the addition of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or any form of energy (such as heat, sound, or radioactivity) to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless form. The major kinds of pollution, usually classified by environment, are air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution. Modern society is also concerned about specific types of pollutants, such as noise pollution, light pollution, and plastic pollution. Pollution of all kinds can have negative effects on the environment and wildlife and often impacts human health and well-being.Ocean pollution has many causes, including:
See lessNonpoint source pollution
This is pollution that comes from many small sources, like vehicles, septic tanks, farms, and livestock ranches. It’s often caused by runoff, which is when rain or snow carries pollutants from the ground to the ocean.
Point source pollution
This is pollution that comes from a single source, like an oil spill or chemical spill.
Plastics
Plastic bags are one of the most deadly types of plastic in the ocean because they can be mistaken for food by marine life. They can take up to 20 years to decompose.
Offshore drilling
The oil and gas industry’s operations can lead to spills, which can cause irreversible damage to marine ecosystems.
Ocean acidification
This occurs when the pH of the ocean lowers, which can have harmful effects on marine organisms.
Air pollution
Some water pollution starts as air pollution, which settles into waterways and oceans.
Other pollutants
Other pollutants include:
Chemical runoff
Crude oil
Sewage
Fertilizers
Discarded fishing nets
Noise from shipping and drilling