A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists concluded that human activities have substantially altered natural processes that cycle elements through soils, rocks, water, and atmosphere. Yellow triangles show the percentage of human impact on element cycles if soil erosion is treated as an entirely natural process. Red symbols show the percentage of human impact on element cycles if soil erosion is treated as partially (in this case 50%) caused by human activities. (Reprinted with permission from Environmental Science & Technology © 2012, American Chemical Society)[back]
|
