Transportation is an activity that has both economic and social benefits. The most common modes of transportation include road, air, rail, and water. Due to the nature of the energy used in the transportation and their movement, the natural environment is always under a constant threat of being jeopardized. The discussion will analyze how each mode of transportation has an impact on the natural environment.
Impact of Air Transport on Natural Environment
The aircraft play a significant role in pollution of the environment. The engines of the plane emit disturbing noise and gases that lead to climate change and the likelihood of global warming. With the rise in air transportation over the past few years, there has been a global increase in air pollution. Huss et al . (2010) said that the emission of greenhouse gases from air transport has grown significantly by 87% from 1990 to 2006. Aircraft, ranging from airliners to hot air balloons, lead to the emission of soot in the atmosphere that arises due to combustion of fuel. Also, the combustion results in the release of dangerous gases such as carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas. It is critical to note that other than the emission of pollutants by the aircraft, vehicles that enhance access to the airports are also responsible for the release of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Such emissions are also contributed by various forms of energy utilized in airport buildings, in the manufacturing of aircraft, and also in the construction of infrastructure in the airport.
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On analysis of particular impacts of air transport on the environment, jet airliners are responsible for the release of water vapour contrails that lead to the formation of cirrus clouds. The cirrus clouds are made of pure ice crystals and affect the radiation of the earth in two different ways. The ice crystals in the cirrus clouds scatter and subsequently reflect sunlight back to the space resulting in a cooling effect. Such a process is referred to as the albedo effect. Secondly, the ice crystals can lead to absorption and re-emission of infrared radiation resulting in the warming of the system, a phenomenon described as the greenhouse effect. Large aircraft that fly at high altitude emit aerosols leaving contrails in the atmosphere. As they fly, the chemical is released that interact with greenhouse gases such as nitrogen hence increasing the concentrations of the ozone. Light piston aeroplanes, on the other hand, burn aviation gasoline which consists of highly toxic substances such as tetra-ethyl lead which is responsible for soil pollution especially near the airports.
The air transport has been documented to be responsible for around 3-5% of the carbon dioxide released into the environment globally. With the growth of air travel, the air transport is on its way to becoming the world's biggest contributor to environmental degradation and global warming. The European Union (EU) has developed a policy that is geared towards penalizing aircraft companies with heavy taxation if they do not comply with the environmental prevention rules suggested. Individuals have also been advised to take a personal responsibility with regards to cutting carbon emissions by refraining from flying whenever possible and using alternative means water and coaches where possible.
Impact of Road Transport on Natural Environment
The natural environment also consists of animals and other vertebrates. Road transport is one of the main causes of mortality in animals. Animals and other vertebrates usually die while crossing the road due to road accidents. Research has it that an estimated one million vertebrates succumb to death each day on the roads in the United States. The mortality rate has been implicated as a primary reason for the decline in the population of the animals. According to Fahrig and Rytwinski (2009), the chances of the death of the animals increase especially when a road crosses the habitat of the animal. Turtle mortality has been experienced at a high rate in Highway 27 Florida in the U.S. as it passes over a lake. The animal behaviour has also been identified as a risk factor in road mortality. When animals follow their prey along the road, they are likely to be hit by a moving vehicle resulting in death. Also, mass migrations of animals can also result in their death via a traffic accident.
Roads are one of the leading causes of pollution to the environment. The noise from moving vehicles has an impact on birds as they disrupt their acoustic communication leading to the decline of their population along the roads. The road noise can change the community composition of a certain species of birds leading to exclusion as pointed out by Kociolek et al. (2011). Certain animals depend on light for the control of biological activities. Such animals can be affected by vehicle light along the road. The road transport sector requires energy for vehicle operation and also for the manufacturing of the car. This energy consumption is the primary cause of pollution to the environment. Fuel efficiency is a factor that differs from vehicle to vehicle and determines the extent to which a vehicle pollutes the environment. In the United Kingdom, it has been estimated that 2025 the energy consumption will rise substantially increasing the prospect of environmental damage. Once the fuel is burnt, poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and organic compounds are released into the environment increasing the chances of global warming.
Road transport development leads to the destruction of land resulting in degradation of land and water ecosystems. Ground transportation development also leads to the physical separation of natural ecosystems resulting in the inhibiting of movement between plants and animals. Roads can act as barriers that curtail movement hence impacting on the animal population in various ways. This can prohibit the flow of genes as animals will be unable to reproduce due to minimal interaction. Road construction destroys habitats for animals leading to uneven distribution.
Impact of Rail Transport on the Natural Environment
Rail is an important mode of transport for passengers and cargo. Trains are relatively environmentally friendly and efficient as compared to automobiles. However, they have their shortcomings with regards to environmental pollution. Boubel et al . (2013) asserted that moving trains produce gases such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter that pollute the air leading to global warming and health effects. The construction of railroads is a major contributor to the fragmentation of the ecosystem and habitats. The tracks and locomotives also present a physical barrier that inhibits free movement and association of wild animals leading to disruptions and the prohibition of gene flow.
Impact of Water Transport on the Natural Environment
Shipping has a myriad of impacts on the environment. They include emission of greenhouse gases, oil pollution, and acoustic. Ballast water discharge in the ocean by ships has a major effect on the marine ecology. The ballast water usually contains biological spills such as bacteria, viruses, animals, and plants that are alien to the normal marine flora and fauna hence leading to their damage. Such material can also result in human health problem when they get into contact with the water.
The water vessels are a major source of noise pollution. The noise may travel over long distances have grave consequences on the aquatic life. Some marine species depend on sound for communication, feeding, and orientation and therefore the excessive and inappropriate sound produced by these vessels may lead to harmful effects. The sound has a traumatic effect that may cause physical damage to the aquatic animals. Sound pollution may also result in behavioural changes in the animals. Other than sound pollution, Schwarzenbach et al . (2010) asserted that sea mammals and fish are at a high risk of colliding with water vessels such as ships and boats resulting in injuries and death.
The water vessels are also responsible for atmospheric pollution where exhaust gases pollute the air. However, the air pollution caused by water vessels is relatively lower considered to that caused by air and road. The emission by the ships is a global implication due to the vast distances always covered. Air pollution results mainly from the diesel engines that combust fuel material containing sulphur, sulphur oxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and hydrocarbons among others. The diesel from the ship engine has been identified to be carcinogenic and also interrupt the ozone layer leading to the development of global warming. The sulphur produced in the atmosphere results in acid rain that have adverse effects on crops and building. Sulfur has respiratory problems that increase the risk of getting a heart attack.
Oil spills always have devastating effects on the marine life. The marine oil has polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are difficult to break and last for long in the marine environment. When marine life is exposed to these compounds, they become susceptible to diseases, experience developing problems, and unusual reproductive cycles. Sewage is also released to the marine environment alongside the oil compounds in the form of grey water and Blackwater. The sewages contain harmful viruses, bacteria, and parasites which are detrimental to the marine life and nutrients.
In conclusion, transportation is one of the main causes of pollution globally. Various international and local bodies are making legislatures that are aimed at reducing the destruction of the natural environment. The causes of air, road, rail, and water transport pollution include environmental pollution, destruction of biotic and abiotic factors, and the disruption of normal plant and animal life.
References
Boubel, R. W., Vallero, D., Fox, D. L., Turner, B., & Stern, A. C. (2013). Fundamentals of air pollution . Elsevier.
Fahrig, L., & Rytwinski, T. (2009). Effects of roads on animal abundance: an empirical review and synthesis. Ecology and Society , 14 (1).
Huss, A., Spoerri, A., Egger, M., Röösli, M., & Swiss National Cohort Study Group. (2010). Aircraft noise, air pollution, and mortality from myocardial infarction. Epidemiology , 21 (6), 829-836.
Kociolek, A. V., Clevenger, A. P., St Clair, C. C., & Proppe, D. S. (2011). Effects of road networks on bird populations. Conservation Biology , 25 (2), 241-249.
Schwarzenbach, R. P., Egli, T., Hofstetter, T. B., von Gunten, U., & Wehrli, B. (2010). Global water pollution and human health. Annual Review of Environment and Resources , 35 , 109-136.
