Cyclone's Impact: Odor-Causing Pollutants And Their Sources

Cyclones are atmospheric disturbances characterized by violent air circulation, heavy rainfall, and strong winds. They are classified as either extra-tropical or tropical cyclones, with the latter being powered by warm ocean waters and having a significant impact on coastal regions. Tropical cyclones can cause extensive flooding, leading to an increase in pollution levels as large volumes of water carry pollutants from agricultural lands and other sources into coastal ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef. These events can have devastating effects on marine life and the delicate balance of the ecosystems they inhabit.

Cyclones cause flooding, which washes pollutants into waterways

Cyclones are large-scale weather systems that develop over tropical or subtropical waters. They are characterised by heavy rains, strong winds, large storm surges, and tornadoes. The destruction caused by a cyclone depends on its intensity, size, and location. While cyclones can bring much-needed precipitation to dry regions, they also cause flooding, which washes pollutants into waterways and has devastating effects on the environment and human life.

The effects of a cyclone include the removal of forest canopy and the reshaping of the landscape near coastal areas. Cyclones can move and reshape sand dunes and cause extensive erosion along the coast. The destruction of sanitation facilities, coupled with heavy rainfall and flooding, can result in sewage-polluted water, increasing the risk of infections and water-borne diseases. Cyclones can also knock out power, disrupt communication, and hamper rescue efforts.

Inland areas are particularly vulnerable to freshwater flooding caused by cyclones. The heavy rainfall can lead to landslides in mountainous regions and alter the landscape. The subsequent flow of water into coastal estuaries can damage marine life. The abnormal rise in seawater level, known as a storm surge, is a primary hazard of cyclones and is caused by the winds pushing water onshore. This surge can inundate low-lying areas, causing floods that wash away pollutants, including fine sediment, nutrients, and pesticides, into waterways.

Agricultural lands are particularly susceptible to the effects of cyclones. Overgrazing by farm animals can lead to soil erosion, and the lack of vegetation can make the land unstable. During a cyclone, the heavy rainfall can cause high levels of soil to wash into nearby waterways, smothering coastal habitats and coral reefs with sediment. Additionally, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) from fertilisers used on farms can be flushed into reef ecosystems, disrupting the delicate balance by promoting the growth of phytoplankton and causing algal blooms that block sunlight and reduce coral diversity.

The impact of cyclones on the environment and human life is significant. The flooding caused by these storms washes pollutants into waterways, damaging ecosystems, threatening marine life, and endangering public health. While cyclones can bring benefits to dry regions, their destructive nature and the subsequent flooding have far-reaching consequences that require targeted preventative action and rapid response mechanisms to mitigate their effects.

Cyclones can induce epidemics of diseases, which claim lives long after the storm has passed

Cyclones are large-scale weather systems that develop over tropical or subtropical waters. They are characterized by swift and often destructive air circulation, violent storms, and bad weather. While cyclones can have devastating impacts on settlements, their total destruction also encourages rebuilding and redevelopment. However, one of the most concerning consequences of cyclones is their ability to induce epidemics of diseases, which can claim lives long after the storm has passed.

The intense rainfall, flooding, and mudslides caused by cyclones can lead to the destruction of sanitation facilities, creating a breeding ground for diseases. In addition, the wet environment and warm tropical climate that follow a cyclone can amplify the growth of harmful microorganisms, leading to infections and outbreaks of diseases. The risk of disease propagation is further heightened among crowded evacuees in shelters.

Infectious diseases, such as mosquito-borne illnesses, can thrive in the large areas of standing water left behind by flooding. The destruction of vegetation and soil erosion caused by cyclones can also impact water quality, making it harder for marine life to survive and disrupting entire ecosystems. This can have indirect adverse effects on human health, as seen with the Great Barrier Reef, where pollutants from agricultural land in Queensland smother coastal habitats and coral reefs.

The impact of cyclones on water quality can be particularly harmful when coupled with climate change. Higher temperatures and more intense rainfall can increase the levels of pollutants entering water bodies, such as the Great Barrier Reef. These pollutants, including fine sediment, nutrients, and pesticides, can have devastating long-term effects on marine environments, inhibiting the growth and reproduction of plant and animal species.

Furthermore, cyclones have been associated with a range of health outcomes beyond infectious diseases. These include mental disorders, such as PTSD, adverse birth outcomes, and non-communicable diseases. The interruption of healthcare services and contaminated floodwater caused by cyclones can also have indirect and delayed adverse effects on human health, making the overall impact of these storms on communities even more challenging to manage.

Cyclones can cause sewage-polluted water, increasing the risk of infection

Cyclones are large-scale weather systems that develop over tropical or subtropical waters. They are characterised by swift and often destructive air circulation, with winds exceeding gale force (a minimum of 34 knots or 63 kph). Tropical cyclones are generally accompanied by heavy rains, strong winds, large storm surges, and tornadoes, causing extensive flooding and erosion.

The destruction caused by a cyclone depends on its intensity, size, and location. They can remove forest canopy, reshape sand dunes, and cause erosion along the coast. Cyclones can also knock out power, destroy buildings, bridges, and roads, and delay rescue efforts. The storm surges that accompany cyclones are typically the deadliest effect, causing seawater to inundate low-lying coastal regions and leading to heavy floods.

The wet environment following a cyclone, combined with the destruction of sanitation facilities, can result in sewage-polluted water. This increases the risk of infections, especially in cuts and bruises, and contributes to mosquito-borne illnesses. The standing water caused by flooding provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes, further elevating the risk of disease propagation.

Additionally, cyclones can induce epidemics of waterborne diseases, which can claim lives long after the storm has passed. The destruction of wastewater treatment plants and sewers can also cause an overflow of wastewater, carrying pollutants into waterways and further contaminating the water. These pollutants, including fine sediment, nutrients, and pesticides, can have devastating impacts on the health of coral reefs and other coastal ecosystems.

Cyclones can cause stagnant water, which can spread water-borne diseases

Cyclones are a risk to public health, causing destructive flooding that can lead to adverse health outcomes. They are a seasonal occurrence in the Eastern United States, where they cause widespread destruction and endanger public health. Tropical cyclones occur in the months of May to June and October to November, with their primary peak in November and secondary peak in May.

Cyclones can cause flooding that contaminates environmental, recreational, and drinking water sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. Floodwater mobilizes pathogens in the environment, including bacterial, parasitic, and viral pathogens, which can lead to infections such as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Legionnaires' disease, and Cryptosporidiosis. These infections can be mild but can cause life-threatening enteric or respiratory illness in vulnerable individuals.

In addition to the direct impact of cyclones on waterborne diseases, the flooding caused by cyclones can also contaminate irrigation water used on crops. This can lead to the transmission of pathogens that are predominantly foodborne, further impacting public health. The contamination of water sources can also impact the health of marine life and entire ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef.

The impact of cyclones on waterborne diseases can vary depending on the characteristics of the storm, such as wind speed and rainfall, and the infrastructure of the affected regions. Slow-moving storms tend to cause more severe flooding, while cyclones with high wind speeds might bring less rain but cause wind-related infrastructure destruction. Understanding the transmission of waterborne pathogens is crucial, especially with the aging population and deteriorating drinking and wastewater treatment systems.

To summarize, cyclones can cause stagnant water by leading to destructive flooding, which in turn contaminates water sources and spreads waterborne diseases. The impact of cyclones on public health is a serious concern, and it is important to take preventative measures and improve water treatment systems to mitigate the risks associated with waterborne diseases.

Cyclones can cause storm surges, which are an abnormal rise in seawater level

Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area, distinguished by swift and often destructive air circulation. They are usually accompanied by violent storms and bad weather. The air circulates inward in an anticlockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Tropical cyclones occur in the months of May to June and October to November, with their primary peak in November and secondary peak in May.

The maximum amount of storm surge for a particular location depends on several factors, including the intensity, size, and speed of the storm, as well as the local topography and bathymetry. Stronger winds will produce a higher storm surge, and a larger storm will also produce a higher surge as the winds push on a larger ocean area. Storm surges can cause severe damage to coastal regions, including flooding, erosion of beaches and embankments, destruction of vegetation, and damage to buildings and infrastructure.

In addition to causing storm surges, cyclones can also lead to an increase in pollution levels. When severe storms like cyclones cause large volumes of water to flow onto coastal areas, higher levels of pollutants can smother coastal habitats and coral reefs. These flood plumes contain fine sediment, nutrients, and pesticides, which can have devastating impacts on the health of marine ecosystems.

Frequently asked questions