The Appalachian Mountains' Copper Basin and the concept of environmental susceptibility |
| |
Authors: | M -L Quinn |
| |
Institution: | (1) Nebraska Wesleyan University, 50th and St. Paul Streets, 68504 Lincoln, Nebraska, USA |
| |
Abstract: | The Copper Basin is located within the southern Appalachian Mountains primarily in extreme southeastern Tennessee, USA. It
has long been known for its copper mining/smelting and associated chemical industry, as well as its severely injured environment.
Virtually all previous commentary on the environmental degradation at this location have focused on human activities and their
destructive impact. This article approaches the subject from a different angle, one that emphasizes the interaction between
man and nature.
The site's physical setting, industrial history, and environmental history are briefly reviewed. The theory then presented
here is that certain of the Copper Basin's natural features made its environment unusually vulnerable to the negative impact
of copper mining and smelting, especially as practiced around the turn of the century. These features are identified. This
reasoning provides the basis for the concept of environmental susceptibility, which is defined and discussed. A few of its
applications are mentioned. This study offers a new perspective on the Copper Basin, as well as insights for those whose work
involves investigating the man/nature relationship—both past and present. |
| |
Keywords: | Copper Basin Environmental susceptibility Copper mining/smelting Industrial air pollution Sulfur dioxide emissions Environmental degradation Acidic deposition |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|