Short-Term Effects Of Pollution On The Rhine

INTRODUCTION
The Rhine River is a European river which flows through 6 different countries including Germany, Switzerland, France, Principality of Liechten, Austria, and the Netherlands. The river starts in Canton of Graubündenand and empties out in the North Sea. It is 1230 km long and its drainage basin is 220000 km2 in size making it the second longest river in central - western Europe. The Rhine played a critical role in human history. Romans used the river to send armies and goods across Europe. The Rhine transports 200 million metric tons of cargo annually. It provides drinking water for 20 million people and it provides a home for 50 million people. The Rhine is extremely beneficial to Europe’s economy since it houses major industries and companies. Economists say that its drainage basin makes a $5 annual gross profit per cubic meter. Tanker on Rhine River Map of Rhine River

ISSUES FACING THE RIVER
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With 50 million people living on the Rhine, small amounts of garbage are thrown into the river. Small pieces of trash affect the Rhine for a short period of time but with so much trash piling up, it significantly impacts the health of the river. Plastic catches smaller organisms which hurt and kills them. Mining has some major short-term effects on the Rhine. When coal is burned, sulfur dioxide is formed and that gas mixes with the water from the Rhine. Once that water has evaporated, the end result will be acid rain which is detrimental to the environment. Diseases such as cholera and lung disease became more prevalent for periods of time. Factories and production plants along the river have caused dead forests and poor crops. Trash Collected From Part of Rhine River Polluted Banks of Rhine Flooding

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