Does the agriculture needs all these chemicals or we can avoid them?

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Professor’s name

ENGL 1110

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Dotaniya, M L., J K. Thakur, V D. Meena, D K. Jajoria, and Gopal Rathor. "Chromium

Pollution: A Threat TO Environment." Agricultural Reviews 352.2 (2014): 153-157. Web. 5 Oct.

2014.

In the article titled “Chromium Pollution: A threat to Environment”, Dotania, Thakur,

Meena, Jajoria, and Rathor discuss that pollution of soil and water by chromium (Cr). Chromium

(Cr) has become a global issue. Heavy metals like chromium (Cr) can be dangerous depending

on the concentrations and oxidation state. Chromium (Cr) has been used in metal alloys and

pigments for paints, cement, rubber, paper, and other materials. Although Chromium (Cr) exist in

nature and in the creatures bodies, it has many impacts on different creatures including plant,

animals, and even humans; that is if the concentration of it exceeds the limits.

Putting all of this together, this article answers two research questions. These two

questions ask about what chemicals or industrial processes can harm our planet, and what effects

come from those chemicals or processes. The periodic table, that is a table shows lists of

chemicals and how they are grouped, contains a lot of metals can turn harmful if their

concentrations exceed the limits. Along with other minerals, Chromium (Cr) has become a major

issue recently. Chromium has several oxidations states. It is used in many products or in

processes of producing other products. The burning of fossil fuels without scrubbers, and

improper incineration of waste materials are sources of the issues. Because chromium (Cr) and

Chromium oxides have been produced as by-products in industries, chromium and its oxides are

released from industries as wastes. As it is known that the industrial wastes are disposed to either

air or oceans, this may harm the living creatures including us, humans. The authors say,

“Chromium is one of the toxic heavy metals as well as survival of human beings on earth.” Thus,

the disposal of chromium and its oxides may end up harming us through its toxicity. This

actually can be done by the food chain. For example, suppose a chicken got intoxicated by

chromium, and then another creature ate that chicken, that creature would get intoxicated as well.

Chromium oxides can also harm us through inhalation, and skin contact. Depending on the

oxidation state of the chromium oxides, the effects differ.

In short, some metals such as chromium can harm the living creatures if the

concentrations exceed the limits. The effects differ depending on the concentration and oxidation

state of chromium. The industrial processes and industrial wastes are two sources of this kind of

pollution.