What Are Wetlands?
Wetlands are ecosystems that are saturated with water year-round or for varying periods of time. These habitats provide numerous benefits ranging from ecological functions to societal benefits. Wetlands provide habitat for fish and wildlife, they have the ability to improve water quality, protect coastal shorelines from erosion, as well as their countless recreational opportunities. Wetland protection is an important topic that requires attention from environmentalists, governments, and individuals alike.
Chemistry of Wetlands
Wetlands consist of high quantities of organic matter, and in such environments, nitrogen limits microorganisms. When effluent from agricultural land passes through a wetland, the local microorganisms oxidize carbon using nitrate nutrients. As a result, the water that goes into lakes or oceans contains lower nitrate concentrations. Additionally, microorganisms break down or sequester many other organic and inorganic pollutants in the water. Wetlands have the ability to sequester iron sulfides which prevents acidification as a result of the reaction between iron sulfide and oxygen.
Toxic Chemicals in the Environment
Toxic chemicals are in use all around us: from pesticides to cosmetics and baby bottles to mobile phones. Various chemicals are released into the environment during the manufacturing process, which can travel vast distances by air and water. Currently, there are three types of chemicals are causing particular concern for human health and the environment:
- Bioaccumulative chemicals: Extremely persistent chemicals that break down slowly and accumulate in both humans and animals.
- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs): These chemicals interfere with the hormone systems of animals and people.
- Chemicals that cause cancer, reproductive problems, or damage DNA.
Why Should Chemicals Be Sustainable?
In order to ensure our overall well-being and to protect our health, as well as the environment, we need to pay special attention to the chemicals we use. Chemicals are the building blocks of low-carbon, zero pollution, energy- and resource-efficient technologies. Concurrently, chemicals can be hazardous and cause severe damage to human health and the environment. The entire process, from production to disposal of used products, avoiding the harmful properties of chemicals s. The ultimate goal is to create chemicals with the lowest possible impact on ecosystems and biodiversity.
How Will We Achieve It?
Under certain conditions, any chemical can be toxic or harmful, which is why governments and agencies worldwide should implement strategies to reduce concentrations of chemicals released into the environment. The idea of a proposed strategy is to ensure that the chemicals are produced in a way that maximizes their contribution to society and the environment. Developed strategies force manufacturers to avoid more harmful chemicals for non-essential societal use. A toxic-free environment is a part of the European Commissions’ Zero Pollution Ambition for air, water, and soil. Their vision for 2050 is to reduce pollution levels to a level that is no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems.
How Do Wetlands Filter Harmful Substances?
Every day, high amounts of harmful substances are introduced into water bodies, like streams, wetlands, rivers, and lakes. Households, farms, and other industries release toxic chemicals into our waterways. Such harmful substances negatively impact the wildlife and humans that live near these water bodies. Wetlands can reduce the amount of harmful substances as these ecosystems act as a strainer to filter out toxins.
When toxins enter a wetland, the vegetation can ‘catch’ the substances and store them into their roots. Before the toxins can be released to the water bodies downstream, the harmful substances become less concentrated. Another way toxic substances are remediated is through wetland soil catchment where microorganisms and other bacteria break the substances down.
Even though wetlands have the natural ability to filter pollutants, this does not mean harmful substances should be released without any control. Wetlands can handle a limited amount of substances and make certain substances less dangerous. Therefore, we all need to be responsible and cautious in disposing of harmful substances entering local waterways.