Talk:Pollution in Canada

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I propose that the sections "water pollution" and "soil pollution" be significantly expanded. There should also be a more extensive list of academic sources, such as journal articles (Anthro100 (talk) 15:37, 23 October 2012 (UTC)).

Sections to be added: Air pollution in Canada is contributed to by industrial and vehicular emissions, agriculture, construction, wood burning and energy production [1]. A recent report found that Canadian companies contributed 73% more to air pollution than companies in the United States[2] . Within the 73% emissions it was found that Canadian companies "released 79% more respiratory toxins into the air than the U.S." [3] While Canadian companies may release more emissions than those in the U.S, overall emissions have decreased in the past few years. This can be evidenced with Environment Canada's 2010 document called Air Pollutant Emission Summaries and Historical Emission Trends [4] This report found that 2010 emissions, compared to 2009 emissions, saw a decrease [5] . Additionally, it was found that heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (smog precursors) were at lower levels in 2010 than in 1990. While overall pollution levels have dropped, it was found that Oil Sands pollution increased by 20% since 2009 (http://business.financialpost.com/2011/05/30/canada-leaves-out-rise-in-oilsands-pollution-from-un-report/). This is in line with the high emissions produced by Canadian companies. According to a 2009 study, Alberta’s oil sands are one of the major causes of air pollution in Canada (Timoney). For volatile organic compounds, a major air contaminant, the top four highest polluters were all tar sands facilities (Timoney page 10). VOCs and other air contaminants are set to increase in the future (Timoney) A projection shows that Alberta's oil sands pollution will soon create acid rain [6]. Acid rain is rain that has been contaminated by airborne chemicals, making it acidic.[7] Two major causes of acid rain are sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Acid rain can cause damage to soil, water, wildlife, plants and buildings, and the airborne particles that cause it can also contribute to smog. In recent years progress has been made in reducing acid rain, however, Alberta's oil sands may soon set back this progress. Eastern Canada has reduced its sulfur dioxide emissions by half since 1980, with heavy emission reductions also made in the United States, which has also contributed to Canadian air pollution.[8] The U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement, signed on March 13, 1991, has also improved air quality by reducing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions in both countries.[9] The agreement was expanded in 2000 to also include goals of reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and levels of ground-level ozone.[9] Ground-level ozone is caused by reactions between nitrogen oxides and VOCs in the presence of sunlight. Ozone is a contributor to smog and is known to cause numerous respiratory diseases.[10]

-Some of these changes were already implemented before this was posted on the talk page.

Major causes of water pollution in Canada include acid rain, groundwater contamination and unclean wastewater.[15] As previously stated, Alberta's oil sands are set to cause increases in acid rain, leading to contamination of water. A study at the University of Alberta found metal levels like arsenic, lead, and mercury to be considerably higher than national guidelines in water downstream from oil sand sites [16] . This water pollution may result in harmful health implications for fish and other wildlife [17]. The study also found that their findings were "contrary to claims made by industry and government"[18] . Acidification of Canadian lakes and rivers, specifically those on the Canadian Shield, is causing a significant decrease in surface water calcium levels. This lower concentration of calcium is having particularly adverse effects on the Daphnia species, which is an important food source for other aquatic species.[20] Additionally, oil sands pollute water not only through acid rain, but also through run off or human error. A prominent example is the 2007 case involving the Athabasca River. Due to human error, energy magnate Suncor spilled 9.8 million liters of tar sands wastewater into the Athabasca (Timoney). Pollution of the Great Lakes, the world’s biggest bodies of fresh water, continue to be a significant problem for both Canada and the United States http://www.ontario.ca/en/about_ontario/EC001033.html. According to Derek Stack, executive director of Great Lakes United said “High pollution levels in the Great Lakes basin continue to take an apparent toll on the air and water quality of the ecosystem” (Canada pollute more…). A recent report suggests that the Alberta Oil Sands impact could reach as far as the Great Lakes (Mitt). The report warns that “[oil] refineries will be using the Great Lakes ‘as a cheap supply’ source for their copious water needs and the area’s air ‘as a pollution dump’ (Mitt).” (Anthro100 (talk) 18:20, 24 October 2012 (UTC))

Classmate's comment

Hi Anthro100. I think you made the article really understandable. You gathered information from reliable sources, and it gives readers a good overview of pollution in Canada. I have 4 main comments about your article.

The first comment is that I'd like to see more divided sections. In your article, you have 3 sections, which have 1 paragraph in each section. I think it would be better if you can separate the section into 3 parts or more. For example, in the section talking about water pollution, as you listed 3 main causes,( acid rain, ground water contamination and unclean wastewater), add those as heading text. I think it will help the article easier to read.

The second comment is there are a lot of key words that you can link in your article. Such as the words relate to scientific term, like chemical name. You can add term linked as you did for other words.

Next I noticed that you talk about air pollution in water pollution section, so I think you can think again where that contents fit the most. "The Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement, created in 1991, was meant to address the issue of transnational air pollution between the two countries...."

Also, I think you can make a new section talk about specific health risks. Such as the list of diseases caused by pollution you talked. You can refer to canadian government's page talks about health effects of

• air pollution: Health effects of air pollution
• water pollution: Drinking Water Chlorination
• soil polution : Health effects from soil pollution Chickatack (talk) 02:46, 8 November 2012 (UTC)

Summary of article edits

-Changes to "Air pollution": Under the section "air pollution" I have changed a variety of things. I have given more information on the impact of acid rain, the creation of acid rain by the Alberta oil sands and have provided information on transboundary pollution between Canada and the U.S.

-Changes to "Water pollution": Under the section "water pollution" I have provided information on how the Alberta oil sands are polluting Canadian waters and the effects of this pollution, I have also added a section on pollution of the Great Lakes and Arctic waters. My last edit for water pollution was the pollution of Canadian waters by sewage and raw waste. I give a variety of examples demonstrating this occurrence.

-Changes to "Soil pollution": I have added all information under soil pollution as there was nothing there before. Added information includes effect of oil sands on pollution, effects of road salt on soil, and the effects of PCBs.

-Addition of new subheading "Health effects of pollution": under this section I have included a list of side effects and diseases from air, water and soil pollution.

Classmate's comment 2

All newly added sections are very understandable and easier to read through. I am happy to see you added some information about health impact with credible sources. Also the use of subheading helps your article to be more readable. Chickatack (talk) 19:40, 15 November 2012 (UTC)

Peer Review #2

In your summary at the top of the page you state that "Pollution is an environmental issue in Canada. It has posed health risks to the Canadian population and is an area of concern for Canadian lawmakers." Maybe you could expand on this and just briefly explain what is in the article. Also, you mention air pollution health effects in both the air pollution section as well as the health effects of pollution section.

Maybe you could combine the two! Other than that, the article is well organized, informative, and interesting! Good work! Kinloch21 (talk) 16:01, 20 November 2012 (UTC)

Peer Review #3

The copy is well written and easy to understand. A number of subsections have been added which provides a good overview of the subjects. More specific detailed information could be added. For example, what are the dangers of PCB pollution? Besides weeds and vegetation, what are the clean up options? Good work! respect.compassion — Preceding unsigned comment added by Respect.compassion (talk • contribs) 16:08, 20 November 2012 (UTC)

Article Edits

A summary of article edits can be found on my user talk page. Anthro100 (talk) 19:22, 21 November 2012 (UTC)

Wikipedia Ambassador Program course assignment

This article is the subject of an educational assignment at Mount Allison University supported by Canada Education Program and the Wikipedia Ambassador Program during the 2012 Q4 term. Further details are available on the course page.

The above message was substituted from {{WAP assignment}} by PrimeBOT (talk) on 16:49, 2 January 2023 (UTC)