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The atmosphere consists of nitrogen, oxygen
and other gases in a layer that surrounds the earth. Anything
that disturbs the normal chemical balance of the atmosphere can be
considered pollution. Pollution can be caused naturally (for
example, by forest fires) but is also caused by anthropogenic
(human) activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels. Pollutants
are not limited by geographical or political boundaries. Activities
in the Northern Cape which might lead to increased air pollution
include mining, a few industries, crop spraying and domestic fuel burning.
There is also the threat of climate change because
of increased amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs). This may
cause an increase in aridity in the western regions of South Africa,
including the Northern Cape.
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| Asbestos |
In the Northern Cape asbestos is still
perceived as an important issue because of the many unrehabilitated
mine dumps that have the potential to pollute the environment, and
therefore
cause health problems.
Asbestos
minerals have long, separable, heat resistant fibres that are strong and flexible
enough to be woven. Because of these characteristics,
asbestos has been used for a wide range of products
including building materials, automobile parts and heat resistant fabrics.
Asbestos fibres enter the air from the breakdown of these products
or natural deposits. Fibres may remain suspended in the air for
a long time and can be carried a fair distance. Inhalation
of high levels of asbestos fibres over several years may result in
diseases such as asbestosis. The indicator used to
monitor asbestos is:
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| Renewable energy |
Renewable
energy sources are those arising from
natural processes, and are regularly replenished. Solar energy
is the primary form of renewable energy, but other sources include
wind energy, hydropower, ocean-generated energy and bio-energy.
The area of the Northern Cape that borders on the Gariep (Orange)
River and Namibia boasts the highest solar radiation intensity
anywhere in southern Africa. Solar energy is therefore likely
to be the most viable alternative energy source for the Northern
Cape, although wind-power potential is generally good along the
coast. Renewable energy use is measured in
this report through:
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| Climate change |
There is significant evidence that the
increase in GHGs is having an effect on climatic conditions, which
in turn leads to biological impacts. South Africa's per
capita contribution to GHG emissions is well above global averages
and those of other middle-income developing countries. The
greenhouse gases that occur in the troposphere (or lower atmosphere)
which are responsible for global warming include ozone, methane,
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon dioxide, water vapour and nitrous
oxides. The
selected indicator is:
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| Air
quality |
Certain air pollutants are considered
'classic' air pollutants because they are emitted in large
quantities in most countries and they have adverse effects on human
health and crops. These pollutants normally include sulphur dioxide
(SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide
(CO), particulate matter (PM), lead (Pb) and ozone
(O3
).
Due to the types of activities present in the
Northern Cape, the key air pollutants include NO2 (many households
use paraffin indoors), ambient PM (the mining industry; other
scheduled processes like incinerators and brickworks), and crop
spraying (usually on a two-weekly basis during May-June and September-October).
Pollution 'hot spots' may therefore be
associated with these activities. While no monitoring information is available
for indoor NO2 and crop spraying, the indicator
for PM is:
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| Resource management |
According to the Municipal Demarcation Board
(2003), the air pollution management function is poorly performed by
Northern Cape Municipalities. This is likely to be the
perception throughout the Province, and may be the reason why this
issue was raised.
It must be noted
that there are few industries in the Northern
Cape, and pollution from the Province's mines falls outside the
jurisdiction of these Municipalities (mining is the mandate of
the Department of Minerals and Energy). The
indicator selected is:
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