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UNIT 1: WHERE DO WE STAND? THE STATE OF THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT
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• Thermal wastewater from cooling in industry processes and power
stations can increase turbidity in water and lead to an increase in the
oxygen demand of other waste effluents. Higher temperatures in water
can also result in an unusual assembly of plants and animals that are
not found under normal climatic conditions. For example, invertebrates
of semi-tropical origin have been found growing in northern water
bodies that become artificially warm.
• When fuel oil is spilt at sea it first spreads over the water surface
as a slick. The lightest components, which are also the most toxic,
either evaporate or dissolve in the water. The immobile elements then
disperse in the water and emulsify to form a sticky brown mass that
causes major problems when it comes ashore. The heaviest residues
form lumps of tar. Oil spills can kill a range of marine life including
fish, seals, otters and birds.
• Organic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
and polyaromatic and heteroaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a
great human health hazard. They are extremely persistent in the
environment, remaining stable under temperatures at which most other
organic compounds, natural or synthetic, decompose. PCBs and PAHs
are soluble in fat, and therefore ‘bioaccumulate’ up the food chain.
Studies of first- and second-order marine carnivores, including seals
and birds in North America and Europe, have indicated high tissue
concentrations of PCBs. This is thought to cause serious abnormalities
in feeding and breeding.
Other Water Management Issues
Many of the world’s major rivers flow through several different countries. This
can cause serious sharing and management problems. International conflicts over
water resources have arisen in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
There can also be management and distribution problems at the national level.
In most countries there is little co-ordination between the different bodies
responsible for water, which can result in confused supply, treatment, and
discharge. In coastal areas, there may be additional problems involving fisheries,
including fish farming, maritime transport and tourism. This has already been
experienced in many destinations.
The availability of adequate safe drinking water is also critical, to limit risks
of gastro-enteritis, hepatitis A and typhoid. There is also mounting concern on
effects synthetic chemicals and the way they mimic natural hormones and cause
radical disruption of the human reproductive system. Exposure (even to a foetus
in the womb), to minute quantities of these chemicals, can cause sterility, lower
sperm counts, malformed reproductive organs, and is even suspected to affect
intelligence and temperament.
It is estimated
that in most
developing
countries, a
tourist uses ten
times more water
every day than a
local inhabitant.
Why Should the Tourism Industry be Concerned about Water
Scarcity and Pollution?
Water is perhaps the tourism industry’s most important resource. It is estimated
that in most developing countries, a tourist uses ten times more water every day
than a local inhabitant. Water quality is also important for in-stream tourism sites
such as bathing beaches, rivers and lakes. Water pollution in these sites will
automatically result in losses to tourism.