Pollution Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the environment which results in some sort of injury to humans or wildlife. Pollution causes biodiversity loss both over the short term, through die-offs, and in the long term by destroying habitats. Sources of pollution are extremely varied, but two common contaminants, nitrogen and phosphates, can cause significant changes in the chemical characteristics of soils and water, and the biodiversity that they support. We have an opportunity to choose mercy and justice for all of God’s creation by eliminating pollution threats to those least able to protect themselves and to help restore creation. Tending the garden includes protecting the life in the garden from harm. Pollution is a huge threat to the life in the rivers, lakes, bays and oceans that surround and sustain us. As stewards of Creation we should be aware of the effects our practices have on these vulnerable and valuable ecosystems. Aquatic Pollution: Pollution has been very damaging to aquatic ecosystems, and may consist of agricultural, urban, and industrial wastes containing contaminants such as sewage, fertilizer, and heavy metals. Pollutants such as mercury lead, pesticides, and herbicides can lower reproductive success, prevent proper growth and development, and even cause death.  In addition to toxic pollutants, increased nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, from city sewage, fertilizers from agricultural areas and the burning of fossil fuels have also proven to be very damaging to aquatic ecosystems by causing events such as algal blooms that wipe out entire populations.  Most nitrogen and phosphorus enter aquatic environments from rain, snow or gases in the atmosphere.  Nitrogen and phosphorus rise as a gas and fall back down some time later entering into the environment The effects of DDT: It is very well known that the use of the pesticide DDT in the late 1940s up until it was banned in 1972 had great effects on wildlife, especially bird populations.  Osprey, Bald Eagle, Brown Pelican and Peregrine Falcon populations were all severely affected because of the use of DDT and the effects it had on their eggs.  DDT caused the bird’s egg shells to not develop correctly and was subsequently too thin to sustain life inside of them.  DDT was accumulating in the fish that they were consuming, which was to low of a level to affect the fish, but accumulated enough over the long life spans of the birds to become a serious problem.  Most of the bird species affected by DDT became listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and have made an impressive recovery. MORE INFORMATION NCC Environmental Health NCC Environmental Justice Water Pollution Guide Environmental Protection Agency More about Loss of Biodiversity Destruction of Habitat Exotic/Invasive Species Overharvesting   NCC Biodiversity Home NCC Loss in Biodiversity Home