Water Pollution Effects.

 

Water Pollution in Alaska Present and Future:

In developing Alaska, an eco-system approach to water pollution control Will prevents mistakes. "Frederick B. Lotspeich"

Many people think vaguely of Alaska as a Vast wasteland, dominated by ice and snow. They visualize its resources as unspoiled, believing that the state’s sparse population and the relatively low stage of technical development have an insignificant impact on the land. This is true to some extent through an accurate evaluation requires some qualifying.

Unspoiled Wilderness Evidence:

Alaska is a largely unspoiled wilderness evidence of man’s polluting influence on this northern environment is minimal. Winter’s are long cold, and dark, the summer, however, are warm, with the long hours of sunlight each day, permitting rapid growth of vegetation.

Alaska's Waters, although largely unpolluted at present, are locally pol, in several by pulp mills, fish packing, and municipalities. The pollution is serious and will before abatement measures arc put into effect, is especially in oil am lumbering. Which will despite e that of development? Water pollution prevention must be emphasized as Alaska enters a new chapter in its history.

A Program For Water Pollution In Alaska:

Any program for water pollution in Alaska must consider the natural environment and the possibility of man's this environment, particularly the wastes generated by the ad of its and relative. Lack of in its waters, Alaska offers an opportunity to establish a game of the eco-system. The comment problem not be solved with existing knowledge. Several features of Alaska's natural and social environments are on the following pages as a string to this state's programs for pollution control.

Introduction:

In his introduction to the Department of the Interior's Yearbook, Third Wave (1), Laurance Rockefeller refers to the eco-system approach as the modern method of conservation, This approach Stresses an understanding of ecology, with all its ramifications, as necessary to knowledgeable conservation of the resources which man depends for survival, Much needs to be learned about this ecological approach. Without an understanding of man's role in ecosystem dynamics, conservation measures, however, intended, frequently fail because of unforeseen effects. Water pollution is an example of a degraded environment caused by man's dumping of his waste into marine and fresh water and debasing these ecosystems in varying degrees.

In its report to the Federal Council for Science and Technology, describing the results of its study of waste management and control (2), the Committee on Pollution recommends a logical approach to control, This report emphasizes the need to attain, through research, a better understanding of ecosystem dynamics as a basis for predicting how will affect the receiving waters. Irreparable damage can be prevented by applying the knowledge thus gained. Research should be programmed to anticipate, investigate, payment the problems before they are upon us. Alaska must stress such programming pollution prevention costs less than abatement after the waters are degraded.

The facts of the search for, and development of resources, in these environments, in Alaska.

Alaska is an inviting industry that demands certain raw materials. Economic expansion here depends on the industry, but polluted waters early are taken to permit water quality degradation. The top-level industrial accepts this of its are the industry's responsibility and affordable cost production. Sinh attitudes aced fostering pollution the entire society industrial profits accrue when in- pollution control agencies work harmoniously in the public interest. With these thoughts before us, tet turns to Alaska's water pollution problems scrutinizes the unique features of Alaskan ecosystems, and corn this with the other 49 states. There is much to be learned about if we are to vent widespread. The run MD taiga I of large a may by for to his technology. Pruit (3) describes how the taiga responds to man’s activities and point out that the delicate balance of these northern ecosystems is easily upset by man-made interferences. The search for, and development of resources, in these environments, can easily lead to their destructions unless we have the foresight and knowledge to prevent it. Let us now look at A1aska  as it is today and how it is developing.

Physical Environment:

To gain an idea of management problems, consider that is the farthest north of the 50 most of it lies between 600 and 700 N. the largest city, is 61'N and is 1300 miles kilometers) west mites North of Seattle. The principal city's on the lies due north Of is only 2.50 south Of the Arctic Circle. Figure a map Of Alaska over the continental United Stato main landmass of Alaska, 586.3m) square miles. The puts of central states and is about the area of continental United States.

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