A Distorted Earth: Effects of Science and Technology on Carbon-Oxygen Balance

Introduction

In recent times, discoveries of science and technology have helped in enhancing the quality of life on earth. However, despite the fact that science and technology is gradually creating heaven on earth; the morality and the unknown consequences of most scientific activities is a cause for concern.

The major reason why so many people are interested in knowing the aftereffects of most of these scientific actions is because: people are now aware that science and technology has a direct effect on both the living and non-living components of an ecosystem. Hence, this means that the very existence of human beings could be endangered by these scientific actions.

Consequently, this concept or idea has led to series of debates on the rights and wrongs of science and technology. Most of these discussions are basically under the study of ethical issues in human existence. In essence, though the emergence of science and technology has created enormous impact, nevertheless, a deeper reflection of the wrongs would present a catastrophic picture of a distorted earth.

How Science and technology is changing the earth from its true form

According to biologists, plants (autotrophs) are known as the primary producers. They are the major determinant of energy flow and nutrient recycling in an ecosystem. The solar energy from the sun is trapped by plants and converted to a useful (chemical) energy that plants and even animals use for most of their metabolic activities.

In the case of nutrients recycling, a perfect example is the recovering of carbon and oxygen. Plants help in removing carbondioxide from the atmosphere, while fixing oxygen back for organisms. Hence, plants can therefore be described as the mediator between the living components and non-living components of the earth.

However, from personal experiences and observations, it's pertinent to say that science and technology is gradually destroying the very thing that happens to be the central unit of life. Though there are various ways in which the earth is negatively affected by science and technology, however this article is aimed at the basis which is destruction of plants.

Deforestation, a blessing or a curse?

It's a well-known fact that the various developments different parts of the earth have experienced all evolves from deforestation. Nevertheless, though construction of roads, building of houses, refineries and industries, etc. are overwhelming projects, these things are done to the detriment of the natural environment.

Unfortunately, indiscriminate falling of trees has greatly increased over the years. The worst thing about deforestation is that so many people do not understand the implications of this very act. Specifically, it alters the ecosystem in diverse ways. Also, its effect on carbon-oxygen balance is phenomenal when considering the ways in which science and technology is ruining the earth.

How plants regulate the level of carbondioxide and oxygen?

As earlier stated, the ability of the earth to support life is as a result of the availability of carbon and oxygen nutrients. However, inability to maintain the carbon-oxygen balance could trigger a terrible disaster. In order to be able to understand carbon-oxygen balance, one must first know how carbon and oxygen are recycled in the ecosystem. This can only be done through the study of the carbon cycle and oxygen cycle.

It might interest you to know that green plants always remove carbondioxide from the atmosphere for photosynthesis. However, after plants have made their food through photosynthesis, they are eaten by consumers (animals or humans). Thus, the carbon atoms from the plants become incorporated into the animals or humans, and are recycled again through body waste (urine or faeces) of these organisms to the ecosystem.

Also since animals and humans respire, carbondioxide is still passed out into the atmosphere for the plants to make use of it. Since it is a continuous process, this is why it is called carbon cycle. In this way, carbondioxide is maintained at its normal level.

In the case of oxygen cycle, the only process that introduces oxygen into the ecosystem is through photosynthesis. Other processes such as respiration, combustion and decomposition only removes oxygen from the atmosphere. Hence, for the amount of oxygen and carbon to be fairly constant, plants are extremely important.

Although plants are very important in creating this balance; unfortunately, science and technology is gradually destroying it. Because of development, deforestation and combustion which are the two major human activities that aid in increasing carbondioxide level on earth has completely altered the carbon-oxygen balance.

Summary

Inasmuch as science and technology is important; the natural environment is also very essential. The carbon-oxygen balance may not seem so important to so many people. However, imagine a world with limited oxygen and extremely high level of carbondioxide, with no plants to regulate these nutrients in the atmosphere. It definitely sounds like a place where life would be extinct.

Thanks for reading. Till next time.

References

Carbon cycle Retrieved on 27th May, 2018.

Oxygen cycle Retrieved on 27th May, 2018.

Deforestation Retrieved on 27th May, 2018.

Ramalingam, S. (2011). Modern Biology, 6th Edition. Nigeria: Africana First Publishers Plc, pp. 126-128.

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