Introduction
Environmental pollution has been a big global problem for more than a decade now. Environmental pollution majorly occurs through the contamination of the natural environment by artificial substances which later cause instability to the natural ecosystem and geography of the area. Pollution essentially has a strong impact on the geography of various zones which support the natural ecosystem. Across the globe, this has been evidenced through the disappearance of lakes, rivers, and the likes.
Canada has been greatly affected by environmental pollution and currently, there are huge concerns regarding the environmental sustainability of its major provinces such as Quebec, Ontario, Western Canada, British Columbia and the likes.
Of more importance is the fact that some of the major Canadian provinces depend on their geography for ecotourism which is one of the major economic activities of the country (Benchmark Education Company 23). Environmental pollution threatens this status because currently, there have been evidence of melting glaciers, an increase in global temperatures, death of marine life and the likes which are caused by environmental pollution.
Canada is ranked the 35th out of 36 OECD nations in terms of volatile organic compound emissions per capita when compared to other developed nations because it produces an estimated 88.1 kg of volatile organic compounds per capita (OECD 3). Among all developed nations, Canada only fairs better when compared to Australia (OECD 5). It is also a widely known fact that the Canadian economy is much more pollution-intensive than many developed economies across the globe.
These factors have consequently affected the geographical features of the nation; therefore destabilizing the ecosystem. This study will consequently evaluate the impact of environmental pollution on the various geographical areas of Canada and in so doing, we will analyze the geographical composition of Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, Western Canada, British Columbia, and Territorial North to determine the danger environmental pollution causes to these regions.
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada consists of four provinces namely Prince Edward Islands, Nova, Scotia and New Brunswick which make up the Eastern block of Canada and located on the Atlantic Coast (Benchmark Education Company 3).
This area is encompassed with forested Maritime Provinces which are characterized by abundant river valleys and extensive coastlines (Benchmark Education Company 3). Prince Edwards Islands are located off the mainland but connected to it nevertheless by a confederation bridge which links the islands with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (Benchmark Education Company 3).
Cape Breton is the only island to the north of Nova Scotia and is accessible by road and rail but is home to one of the most dominant lakes in Nova Scotia; Bras d’Or Lake (Benchmark Education Company 6). The region is also characteristic of extensive highlands called the Cape Breton highlands which stretch for a long distance along the island surface.
Atlantic Canada is also home to the Island of New Foundland and the northern region of Labrador which are majorly dotted by floating icebergs because of their proximity at the Northern areas of the province. However, Atlantic Canada’s capital, St John’s, has a relatively tropical climate when compared to other regions of the country because it is in close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean (Benchmark Education Company 3).
The geographic composition of the province has been greatly threatened by environmental pollution because the icebergs located at the Northern region of Labrador have over the years melted away.
This observation has been caused by an increase in global temperatures resulting from the emission of toxic gases to the atmosphere. The maritime forests surrounding Atlantic Canada have also bore the brunt of environmental pollution because acid rain formation has changed the soil pH of the region, thereby affecting the growth of trees and other plants in the area (Briney 4).
The aquatic life in the surrounding shoreline has also taken a big blow from the acid rain formation because toxic levels of chemicals have been able to accrue in the marine environment over time, thereby lowering the pH levels of the water. If the pH levels continue to fall and go below the level of 4.8, aquatic life is bound to be affected and all surrounding marine plants are likely to suffer the same fate (Briney 4). This has been a big concern in the aquatic life dotting Atlantic Canada’s lakes and ocean coastline.
Quebec
Quebec is Canada’s largest and most extensive province in terms of population distribution because it comprehensively encompasses three times the size of France. A great part of the province lies within the Canadian Shield and is characteristically dominant with huge mountains such as Mont D’lberville Mountain and the Torngat Mountains (Benchmark Education Company 6).
Quebec province is very rich in geographic features such as Lakes, Rivers and coniferous forests but these landmarks are under threat from some of the vibrant industries in the region; such as the pulp and paper, lumber, and power generation industries. The Northern part of the province is majorly arctic, but to the East, the land is largely agricultural with main economic activities being dairy farming, fruit farming, vegetable farming and other similar agricultural activities (Benchmark Education Company 6).
Industrial activities in the region have been noted to pose the biggest danger to aquatic life in the lakes because of contamination of rivers which eventually spew toxic wastes into the water bodies, while at the same time affecting air pollution which also affects the natural habitat for human habitation (Live Strong 2).
The paper industry has also posed a significant threat to the forest cover of the province because existent companies use the trees as their primary raw materials for production. Although the companies have endeavored to replace cut down trees, the rate of afforestation cannot be compared to the rate of deforestation. This has consequently endangered the existence of rivers and streams which stem from these forested areas thereby threatening the existence of lakes.
Ontario
Ontario is located between the Eastern and Western side of Canada with marked borders surrounded by lakes and popular bays such as the Hudson and James bays (Benchmark Education Company 6).
Ontario follows Quebec in expansiveness. Ontario stands at a very strategic point in the geographical make up of the region because its major geographic features including Pigeon River, Lakes Saganaga, Basswood, Lac la Croix, Rainy Lake, Rainy River and Lake of the Woods, are in close proximity to the United States (US) and therefore the geographic threats it currently faces may spill over into neighboring countries.
The geographic boundary of Ontario and the US is characteristic of rivers and lakes with current geographical estimates pointing out the number of lakes are approximately 250,000 and the length of the rivers is 62,000 miles (Benchmark Education Company 7). The province is also largely dependent on its tourism sector which also depends on the geographic composition of the area.
Considering a great population of Ontario’s inhabitants are located in the southern part of the province, the rivers and lakes surrounding the region suffer the risk of choking under the effects of sewage wastes because these wastes contain nutrients that can stimulate the growth of algae and plant materials which can also potentially clog waterways and cause low oxygen levels for all living organisms surrounding the region (in addition to blocking light to deep waters) (Singer 8). This fact poses a big threat to the aquatic life in the lakes and rivers because they may suffocate due to a lack of enough oxygen.
The rivers and lakes surrounding Ontario are also under the threat of siltation where solid wastes such as soil from eroded riverbanks are deposited into lakes. This can be analyzed through the process of Europhication which is characterized by the slow accumulation of solid matter in water bodies, thereby impairing the functioning of aquatic life when they consume it (Saunders 7).
The depth of the surrounding water bodies also become shallow and plant growth becomes irregular if siltation occurs. Also, the running water from the river, deposits certain organic materials like leaves or grass clippings which if they settle in the water bodies, bacteria acts on them, by using available oxygen in the surrounding aquatic environment, thereby threatening the survival of aquatic life. If this trend continues for long periods, the food chain in the region may be destabilized.
Western Canada
Western Canada borders the Pacific Ocean to the West although certain regions such as Alberta and Saskatchewan are landlocked while regions such as Manitoba are not (Benchmark Education Company 7). The province is largely characterized by oceanic climate because of its close proximity to the Pacific Ocean although other regions greatly enjoy a milder climatic form when compared to the rest of Canada.
Western Canada is majorly dotted with Rocky Mountains but agriculture remains one of the most dominant activities in the region, alongside energy production from oil. In fact, the region is estimated to hold 13% of the world oil reserves and produces approximately 4% of the total world oil (Benchmark Education Company 47). This fact alongside its robust agricultural sector pits the region as one of the world’s largest net exporters of energy and agricultural produce (Benchmark Education Company 47).
Considering Western Canada is characterized with energy production, there stands a possibility of oil spillage to the nearby Pacific Ocean and other water bodies where oil is extracted. This may potentially have a negative effect on aquatic life if disasters are not contained because the oil may decrease the oxygen content in the water and suffocate aquatic life.
The energy sector characteristic of the region also causes extensive air pollution because of the burning of unwanted gases into the atmosphere, during refinery and drilling. This kind of pollution becomes especially dangerous to the general habitat because there will be a substantial increase of carbon dioxide emission and other green house gas emissions into the atmosphere which will interfere with the normal ecological balance of the region (Singer 2).
Also, because Western Canada is majorly characterized by agricultural activities, the use of fertilizers in farms may cause the infiltration of dangerous chemicals such as phosphates and nitrates into water bodies. It is therefore important that pesticide and fertilizer use is checked so that dangerous chemicals do not get run down into mainstream water bodies because if they are ingested by aquatic life, they will stay in the animals’ body and accumulate over long periods thereby causing the death of the animals.
Such compounds have also been noted to tamper with the genetic makeup of aquatic life, such as amphibians, because there is a high chance that the reproductive system of the animals may be hindered from proper functioning. In the same regard, if humans consume these aquatic animals in the form of food, the chemicals may also go into the human body and later cause terminal illnesses in the long run.
The Western Canada province is therefore facing acute danger from the widespread agricultural activities and the robust energy sector that threatens the quality of air and the ecological balance of the region.
British Columbia
British Columbia is located to the Western part of Canada. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and stands as the third largest province in Canada (considering it has a surface area incomparable to most US states and four times the size of Great Britain) (Benchmark Education Company 7).
The province is characteristic of mountain ranges which are majorly utilized for ecotourism purposes and outdoor events. A significant portion of the province consists of ice fields and glaciers but the extensive coastline marking the border’s province is dotted with tropical rainforests (Benchmark Education Company 7).
British Columbia is dotted with many rivers such as the Kootenay and Columbia rivers but other waterways also exist as transport channels connecting isolated islands which are part of the province, nevertheless. Alongside the riverbanks, there are many pulp and paper mill industries established. On the valley areas, narrow lakes exist and next to the rivers, there have been a number of hydroelectric plants established (Benchmark Education Company 7).
British Columbia thrives on a vibrant tourism sector which is safeguarded through the preservation of about 14 protected areas (Benchmark Education Company 7). These areas constitute marine parks, ecological reserves, heritage sites historic sites and the likes, but a significant portion of the province (about 47,000 square kilometers) is under agricultural activities (Benchmark Education Company 7).
The pulp and paper industries located at riverbanks pose a huge environmental danger to the existing ecological system because most of their wastes are discharged into the rivers and later find their way into the lakes. In addition, these industries consume a lot of water from the rivers as raw material and this potentially reduces the volume of fresh water that finds its way into the lakes.
This has a significant danger on aquatic life because there are high chances of receding water volumes and reduced water quality to support aquatic life because the drawn water is released back into the system in an impure form. The industries are also notorious for discharging hot water into the neighboring streams and rivers which increase water temperatures.
The ice field area and glaciers are therefore susceptible to the high water temperatures because they are bound to melt with time. This is observed to increase the water levels in lakes, oceans and rivers. In addition, this type of pollution has a possible effect of causing floods which can affect human habitation. The emergence of waterborne diseases may also consequently arise because of the increase in water levels.
Air pollution is also likely to occur from the uncontrolled operations of the industries because gaseous emissions constituting harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, sulphur, and nitrogen are released into the atmosphere from industrial operations. When the level of harmful chemicals is significantly high in the atmosphere, there is bound to be a high possibility of acid rain formation while human beings may be faced with increased exposure to skin diseases as a result of the penetration of ultraviolet rays onto the earth’s surface.
Territorial North
The territorial North has a significantly low population when compared to other geographic regions of Canada. This is because the area is very hostile to human settlement and in fact, there are very few places on earth which are that hostile to human settlement (Benchmark Education Company 8).
The region is however dominated by a couple of islands off the Hudson Bay. Territorial North is also home to the Mackenzie River valley which is located to the Western side of the mainland and is scarcely dotted with trees although numerous lakes are found there nevertheless.
Two of Canada’s largest lakes are found in this region but the rest of the land is barren with floating glaciers and icebergs, existing alongside the countless lakes and rivers. The Northern territory is also characterized by rocky terrains and poor drainage but the widespread glacial deposits take up most of the earth’s surface area (Benchmark Education Company 8).
The major economic activities characterizing this area revolve around mining and commercial fishing, though there are other smaller activities like fur trapping which also go on (Benchmark Education Company 10).
The mining activities going on in the region majorly lead to the production of metals like zinc and lead and this activity overshadows the traces of agricultural activities which are dominant in the southern part of the country. Back in the 70s oil exploration kicked off in the region but the initiative was quickly abandoned after it was established that the region had very minimal reserves of oil (Benchmark Education Company 8).
Considering the minimal economic activities of the Northern territory, not much pollution occurs. However, mining activities going on in the region primarily affect the ecological balance of aquatic life and humans as well. This is because mining brings to the earth’s surface substantial levels of metal deposits. The most common types are zinc and lead.
These metal deposits when brought to the earth’s surface through mining are washed down into rivers and lakes in small quantities during the rainy period and therefore remain suspended in the lakes and rivers. The aquatic animals found in the area are therefore likely to consume the metals and thereby causing rising levels of zinc and lead deposits in their body.
When fishing takes place, the same aquatic animals are sold to humans as food and therefore humans consume the zinc and lead deposits indirectly. The same metal substances are bound to accumulate in human bodies and thereby causing future illnesses. This calls for extra care when undertaking mining activities in the region.
Conclusion
Canada remains susceptible to the effects of environmental pollution because it stands as the home of many important ecological features like lakes, rivers, oceans and streams in the region. Some of the most important environmental concerns arise out of the ongoing industrial activities in the area because many industrial wastes are released into the environment through existent water bodies.
Industrial activities have also been pointed out to be the primary cause for the formation of acid rain which threatens the existent equilibrium of the zones analyzed. Upon further analysis, it has been established that aquatic animals run the highest risk from environmental pollution, followed by humans and lastly surface plants.
The environmental impact of man’s activities can be minimized through government regulations and observation of care when undertaking activities that can potentially harm the environment. This should be an initiative to be observed by all liable parties including the general community. An increased sense of awareness will therefore be established and the extent of environmental degradation minimized.
Works Cited
Benchmark Education Company. Geography of Canada: Set of 6 Bridges Set B. Ontario: Benchmark Education Company, 2008. Print.
Briney, Amanda. The Causes, History, and Effects of Acid Rain. 2010. Web.
Live Strong. The Effects of Industrial Pollution. 2010. Web.
OECD. Canada vs. the OECD. 2010. Web.
Saunders, Peter. The Estimation of Pollution Damage. Manchester: Manchester University Press ND, 1976. Print.
Singer, Siegfried. Global Effects of Environmental Pollution: A Symposium Organized By the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Held In Dallas, Texas, December 1968. New York: Springer, 1970. Print.