Santiago River

Ficha de Trabajo Comprehension Activity Código R.CA 01 Date 09/04/2013 Idioma Inglés

Título:

Santiago River

Objetivo de la ficha: Tiempo: Nivel CEF:

To develop skimming and scanning strategies.

20 min B1 Nivel Cenlex Intermedio Todos

Instrucciones: Read the following article and find the information asked in activity number 1 as well as answering the questions in activity number 2 Actividad: Santiago River This article will discuss the various factors that make up the case of Rio Santiago, in particular in the municipalities of El Salto and Juanacatlán which are located in the state of Jalisco, particularly, in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara. This case is important for the pollution levels that exist in the river and how they directly affect the quality of life of the population and become a problem of national interest.

The cascade of Juanacatlán was regarded as a natural beauty which attracted many visitors from both Mexico and abroad. It was known as the Niagara of Mexico. It cannot be said for sure when the problem of pollution started, but it is thought that this all started when the industrial zones were developed and the metropolitan area of Guadalajara grew.

Today the river is in a precarious position at the high levels of contamination. The main factors are dissolved solids, fats, oils, heavy metals, surfactants, ammonia, phosphate, organic compounds, sediments, and hydrogen sulphide. The readings which have been taken from this river have exceeded up to ten thousand times the applicable standard in effect.

Another factor to be mentioned is the discharge of wastewater from the Guadalajara metropolitan area (about 6,500 m3 per day) which is mostly from the chemical industry and it is not treated before being discharged to river flow as demanded by regulation.

Drawing on available data from 1980-1995 can be seen both in the municipalities of El Salto and Juanacatlán that the average annual growth of the municipalities combined is 6% per year, representing a very low rate compared to other municipalities the state as Tonalá and Zapopan. Companies that are associated with pollution of the Santiago River are of various types such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics, food and tire companies. According to some reports, many of these companies do not treat their wastewater before discharging it and are charged the amount of $ 15.00 per cubic meter of discharge. If you there are rules and

Héctor Ramiro Ordóñez Zúñiga

B1_RCA_1_SANTIAGO

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regulations for wastewater discharge, for some reason the level of pollution have increased rather than maintained or even being reduced.

Hydrogen sulphide is a major problem because it is caused by a bacterium that it is present in the environment and has anaerobic respiration and the result is the production of oxalic acid. This primarily affects quality of life of the population produces a strong smell, like rotten egg. This is the cause of the discomfort of symptoms involved has a poor memory, difficulty breathing, loss of ability to concentrate, irritability, mucus in the airways and eyes, nausea and dizziness among others.

This whole situation so far has had an involvement of various parts such as government and society. The population has not had a positive response from the three levels of government. The latter have repeatedly stated that the contamination is at normal levels and that the health implications due to other factors that are not associated with the River. Despite this, the government has not been able to provide evidence to validate its position. In contrast, studies and analysis to be carried by other organizations have shown that the river is not only a critical point in environmental issues, but is directly associated with the death of several people.

Adapted by Héctor Ramiro Ordóñez Zúñiga from an own work, “Rio Santiago, un caso de interés nacional”, Universidad de Guadalajara, 2010.

ACTIVITY 1 Find the information in the text referring to:       

Places involved Polluting agents Cause of bad odour Government position Symptoms 6500 m3 Touristic attraction

ACTIVITY 2 Answer the following questions: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Which is the current level of pollution in the river?.

Which are the companies involved in this river?

Which is the amount of wastewater discharging?

Which is the average growing rate in both municipalities?

Who has carried out reading on the river?

Héctor Ramiro Ordóñez Zúñiga

B1_RCA_1_SANTIAGO

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Clave de respuestas:       

The municipalities of El Salto and Juanacatlán Dissolved solids, fats, oils, heavy metals, surfactants, ammonia, phosphate, organic compounds, sediments, and hydrogen sulphide.

A bacterium that it is present in the environment and has anaerobic respiration and the result is the production of oxalic acid The contamination is at normal levels and that the health implications due to other factors This is the cause of the discomfort of symptoms involved has a poor memory, difficulty breathing, loss of ability to concentrate, irritability, mucus in the airways and eyes, nausea and dizziness among others.

The discharge of wastewater from the Guadalajara metropolitan area The cascade of Juanacatlán

1. Which is the current level of pollution in the river? High levels of contamination 2. Which are the companies involved in this river? Pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics, food and tire companies.

3. Which is the charge of wastewater discharging? 6500 m3 a day 4. Which is the average growing rate in both municipalities? 6% per year 5. Who has carried out reading on the river? other organizations Sugerencias: When reading a text, be careful not to stop at unknown words, try to get the general idea from the paragraph and later, if possible, check the meaning with a reliable dictionary.

Retroalimentación: A reading activity requires a lot of attention, be careful to follow the main idea and to get the most of details.

Reflexión: How can you relate this issue to your community? Do you think that a problem of this magnitude can be solved with the proper attitude?

Héctor Ramiro Ordóñez Zúñiga

B1_RCA_1_SANTIAGO

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