Spain is the most arid country in Europe, with a weak vegetation cover compared to other places in this continent, a very unequal volume of rainfall (both in the distribution of space and in time) and with few surface waters. In addition to these natural factors is human action, which can further harm this panorama. In this ecology article we will talk about the main environmental problems in Spain. As an example of an environmental problem in Spain, in the main image we can see Madrid on a day of high level of pollution.
Atmospheric pollution in Spain
This is one of the main environmental problems in Spain and occurs as a consequence of different human activities and natural factors. The Atmospheric pollution It is common in urban centers, energy plants and industrial areas. In addition, there are factors that favor the concentration of Atmospheric pollutantssuch as atmospheric stability (for example anticyclones) or depressed areas.
Thermal plants, for example, emit large amounts of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and CO2. It is estimated that CO2 emissions have increased by 50% in the period between 1990 and 2006, reaching that year the 433 million tons (approximately 10 tons per inhabitant and year). These gases are also responsible for the greenhouse effect and global warming.
Water resources and water quality are reduced in Spain
In this country the distribution of water resources is irregularboth in space and in time. The reservoir capacity in Spain is approximately 54,000 hm3 and annual water demands are divided into urban, industrial and agrarian. In addition to this, groundwater are also exploited. However, the overexploitation of aquifers results in problems such as the reduction of surface emanations that feed the river and wetlands and salinization of coastal areas. Therefore, it seeks to reduce consumption and increase the surface in reservoirs.
The population and industry generate a Water or water pollution due to spills, which quickly spread through the water. Some of these polluting agents are biological metabolites, discharged, pollutants of agriculture or industrial pollutants. The coastal area is especially vulnerable to water pollution.
In Spain there is loss of vegetation cover, erosion and desertification
In this European country there is a great vegetable surface that is being lost for factors such as deforestation to achieve agricultural and grassland land, road construction and infrastructure, over -standing, wood or forest fires.
Desertification It refers to the progressive transformation of a territory into the desert ecosystem and may be due to natural factors such as the shortage of rainfall and drought or, due to human factors, including the destruction of the vegetation cover. In addition, the loss of the plant cover leaves the territory more exposed to the factors that produce erosion such as water.
In Spain, the Mediterranean coast, part of the interior and the Canary Islands are territories that have a high risk of desertification, due to intensive agriculture, fires, burning remains, vegetation logging or land abandonment.
Urban and industrial waste, another great environmental problem in Spain
Industrial and human activities generate A large amount of waste or waste that are not assimilated within the natural cycles or are at a rate less than their deposition. Therefore, these waste must be treated and, if possible, eliminated. It is estimated that in the year 2007 waste reached almost 25 million tons of waste in Spainwhich would be equivalent to approximately 525 kg per inhabitant per year.
Waste can be divided into inert, organic, toxic and dangerous. Every year around 1.8 million tons of this toxic and dangerous waste occur in this country. The management of this waste comprises their incineration, physical treatments with chemicals, storage or reuse.
Natural risks as part of environmental problems in Spain
Other Environmental problem in Spain It is the one that can be generated as a result of natural processes. These risks are more difficult to foresee, because they escape human control. Among these are geological and climatic risks:
- Geological risks: These comprise earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or sinking. This country is between the Euroasy and African plaques, which generate more risks of earthquakes in the south and southeast peninsular. The volcanic area is mostly in the Canarian archipelago, but does not present a high risk. More risk have sinking in areas with calcareous soils.
- Climate risks: These include hailstorms, wind temporary, cold waves or persistence of rainfall, especially in the north and northwest peninsular, or heat waves or cold drop in the south and lift of the peninsula.
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