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The production for sulfidic zinc ores produces large amounts of sulfur dioxide and cadmium vapor. Smelter slag and other residues of process also contain significant amounts of heavy metals. About 1.1 million tonnes of metallic zinc and 130 thousand tonnes of lead were mined and smelted in the Belgian towns of La Calamine and Plombières between 1806 and 1882.[85] The dumps of the past mining operations leach significant amounts of zinc and cadmium, and, as a result, the sediments of the Geul River contain significant amounts of heavy metals.[85] About two thousand years ago emissions of zinc from mining and smelting totaled 10 thousand tonnes a year. After increasing 10-fold from 1850, zinc emissions peaked at 3.4 million tonnes per year in the 1980s and declined to 2.7 million tonnes in the 1990s, although a 2005 study of the Arctic troposphere found that the concentrations there did not reflect the decline. Anthropogenic and natural emissions occur at a ratio of 20 to 1.[86]

Levels of zinc in rivers flowing through industrial or mining areas can be as high as 20 ppm.[87] Effective sewage treatment greatly reduces this; treatment along the Rhine, for example, has decreased zinc levels to 50 ppb.[87] Concentrations of zinc as low as 2 ppm adversely affects the amount of oxygen that fish can carry in their blood.[88]

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Extracting oxygen from the environment can disrupt the balance of oxygen levels, potentially leading to oxygen depletion in surrounding ecosystems. This can harm aquatic life, affect plant growth, and influence the overall health of the ecosystem. Additionally, the process of extracting oxygen may involve energy-intensive methods that contribute to air and water pollution, further impacting the environment.

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Oxygen is always being replaced. Plants absorb CO2 which we breathe out. It is a cycle that is continuous.

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13y ago
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Recycling saves a whole amount of energy

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Yes

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Q: How does oxygen extraction affect the environment?
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Why do you need water in the oxygen concentrator?

In a dry environment, the purpose of adding water to the oxygen concentrator is to moisturize the oxygen. Usually, we can add water or no water to the oxygensolve oxygen concentrator, this will not affect the use of the oxygen concentrator. It still needs to be confirmed with the store.


What gives us the most oxygen in the environment"?

The process of photosynthesis, primarily carried out by plants and algae, produces the most oxygen in the environment.


How does the element gold affect the environment?

Gold mining can have negative impacts on the environment by causing deforestation, soil erosion, and contamination of water sources with toxic chemicals like cyanide and mercury. Unregulated mining practices can also lead to habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity. Improper disposal of mining waste can further contribute to water and soil pollution.


How did mining affect the environment?

Mining can have negative impacts on the environment, including deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, and habitat destruction. The use of heavy machinery, explosives, and chemicals can disrupt ecosystems and lead to long-lasting damage to the land, water, and air. Additionally, the extraction of minerals can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.


How does reducing resources help the environment?

Reducing resources helps the environment by conserving natural resources, decreasing air and water pollution from extraction and production processes, and minimizing waste generation. It also helps to combat climate change by reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with resource extraction and manufacturing.