Technology and Socity - Essay Example

Despite the advantages, however, the society and the natural environment has had paid a lot for the construction of dams. Firstly, the dams have affected places that are of vital importance to some. For instance, most of the dams have flooded aboriginal burial sites and midden areas. Burial sites are something considered ‘sacred’ by the aborigines and although the authorities may have to consider the ‘common’ good by building of dams, the aboriginal society is usually affected adversely.

The building of dams on the river has also affected the natural habitat. According to the Australian state of the Environment Committee (2001), the main reason for this is the way the ground quality of water has been influenced. Because of the augmentation of the flow of the river by the creation of dams, many cities have emerged alongside the river. Most of these cities are industrial sites that produce a lot of sewage and waste. Most of the waste generated by industries is thrown into the river without considering the consequences.

The result is that the water quality has been affected. The Murray River has the capacity of maintaining around 2,539 kilometers of aquatic and riparian life.The contamination of the water in the rivers has affected the habitat for the aquatic life and many species are rapidly dwindling in numbers. Unfortunately along with the industrial waste and sewage, different pesticides and fertilizers are also flushed into the river. Pesticides, especially DDT, do not just kill fish and consequently humans (after ingestion of the contaminated fish).

They also disturb the entire ecosystem by disturbing ecological cycles that are dependent on rivers. As a consequence, the contagion of water has led to the extinction of certain insects and birds. Further, the building of dams and weirs requires the clearing of natural