Pollution
and its affect on land and water in North Carolina
impact on land
The burning coal the has polluted the air with toxins.
Consequences:
-air has been contaminated with mercury, lead, arsenic, and other metals which can be sickly if ingested
-bad health because of the pollution
-acid rain
impact on water
The coal-fired power plants spilled ash into the Dan River.
Consequences:
-couldn't eat fish from the water
-affects the food chain because of the accumulation of coal ash sediment in the bottom of the river
-water source was contaminated
How do these tie together?
In an effort to minimize the air pollution, regulations have been made to filter the pollutants creating a coal ash substance that now pollutes the water.
North Carolina's Future
If I were to predict North Carolina's future, I believe that because of the potential severe health problems a resolution will be made to shut down more coal-fired power plants.
Questions
1: What has the ash done to the Dan River?
2: What is the best way the people of North Carolina can prevent being harmed by the pollution?