Chemistry International
Bookshelf
Environmental
Concerns
Croatia
Air quality in settlements has been improving in
the last 10 years. The reasons for this improvement could be found in
the introduction of natural gas, introduction of heating facilities
operated from heating plants, substitution of coal with other fuel types
and gradual reconstruction of the Croatian economy towards environmentally
cleaner technologies. In 1995 the air protection law came into force,
and the problem of air pollution has been put under more systematic
control.
Chem. Int. 20(5), 1998
Denmark
Denmark
is situated in Northern Europe in a generally cool, windy, and moist
coastal climate. Air pollution levels are usually moderate compared
with Southern and Eastern Europe, which have higher emission densities
and more intense photochemical activity. However, the environmental
impact of air pollution still gives rise to concern, principally because
of health effects owing to human exposure to fine and ultrafine particles.
Other issues include nitrogen deposition that contributes to eutrophication
of coastal waters, damage to sensitive terrestrial ecosystems owing
to atmospheric deposition of nutrients and acidifying compounds, and
ozone stress.
Chem. Int. 22(5), 2000
Greece
Greece, owing to its geomorphology and its fragmented structure, has
an extremely wide range of environments with a vast variety of natural
conditions, including high mountainous areas as well as subtropical
regions. Its mountains, many of which exceed 2 000 m in height, provide
all kinds of conditions with a large variety of woods, fields, and rocks;
its lowlands include wide river deltas and lagoons. Greece has also
many lakes and streams. Some large rivers in northern Greece (the Axios,
Strimon, Nestos, and Evros) enter from the Balkan Peninsula, crossing
two or more countries.
Chem. Int. 22(1), 2000
India
The rapid pace of industrialization and the greater emphasis on agricultural
growth for overall development have brought in a host of environmental
problems in recent years in India. Financial and technological constraints
have led to inefficient conversion processes, thereby leading to generation
of larger quantities of waste and resulting pollution. The concentration
of industries in certain pockets and the skewed distribution of rainfall
have further compounded the scenario. Thus, India encounters water quality
problems both on account of water pollution and overexploitation of
groundwater.
Chem. Int. 21(2), 1999
Turkey
As is the case with all environmental problems, the two primary causes
of air pollution in Turkey are urbanization -which has been rapid since
the 1950s- and industrialization. Before industrialization more than
80% of the population lived in rural areas; now more than 60% live in
the cities and industrial complexes. Among the developments contributing
to air pollution in the cities are incorrect urbanization for the topographical
and meteorological conditions, incorrect division of urban land into
lots, low quality fuel and improper combustion techniques, a shortage
of green areas, an increase in the number of motor vehicles and inadequate
disposal of wastes.
Chem. Int. 19(6), 1997