Marine Pollution Essay Example

Marine Pollution Paper In the late 1 sass and early 1 sass, there were several controversies about dumping radioactive waste off the coasts of the United States by companies licensed by the Atomic Energy Commission, into the Irish Sea from the British processing facility at Windscreen, and into the Mediterranean Sea by the French Commissariat lingerie Atomize. After the Mediterranean Sea controversy, for example, Jacques Coaster became a worldwide figure in the campaign to stop marine pollution. Marine pollution made further international headlines after the 1967 crash of the oil tanker Torero Canyon, and after the 1 969 Santa Barbara oil spill off the coast of California. Marine pollution was a major area of discussion during the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm. That year also away the signing of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, sometimes called the London Convention. The London Convention did not ban marine pollution, but it established black and gray lists for substances to be banned (black) or regulated by national authorities (gray). Cyanide and high-level radioactive waste, for example, were put on the black list. The London Convention applied only to waste dumped from ships, and thus did nothing to regulate Waste discharged as liquids from pipelines. Chapter 2: Statement of the Problem a) General Statement of the Problem Over 80% of marine pollution comes from land-based activities. We will write a custom essay sample on Marine Pollution specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Marine Pollution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Marine Pollution specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer From plastic bags to pesticides most of the waste we produce on land eventually reaches the oceans, either through deliberate dumping or from run-off through drains and rivers. B) Specific Statement of the Problem * Direct discharge Pollutants enter rivers and the sea directly from urban sewerage and industrial waste discharges, sometimes in the form of hazardous and toxic wastes. Inland mining for copper, gold. Etc. , is another source of marine pollution. Most of the pollution is simply soil, which ends up in rivers flowing to the sea. However, some minerals discharged in the course of the mining can cause problems, such as copper, a common industrial pollutant, which can interfere with the life history and development of coral polyps. Mining has a poor environmental track record. For example, according to the united States Environmental Protection Agency, mining has contaminated portions of the headwaters of over 40% of watersheds in the western continental US. Much of this pollution finishes up in the sea. Land runoff Surface runoff from farming as well as urban runoff and runoff from the construction of roads, buildings, ports, channels, and harbors, can carry oil and particles laden with carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and minerals. This nutrient-rich water can cause fleshy algae and phytoplankton to thrive in coastal areas; known as algal blooms, which have the potential to create hypochondriacs by using all available oxygen. Polluted runoff from roads and highways can be a significant source of water pollution in coastal areas. About 75 percent of the toxic chemicals that flow into Upset Sound are carried postmaster that runs off paved roads and driveways, rooftops, yards and other developed land. * Ship pollution Ships can pollute waterways and oceans in many ways. Oil spills can have devastating effects. While being toxic to marine life, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Pass), found in crude oil, are very difficult to clean up, and last for years in the sediment and marine environment. Discharge of cargo residues from bulk carriers can pollute ports, waterways and oceans. In many instances vessels intentionally discharge illegal wastes despite foreign and domestic regulation prohibiting such actions. It has been estimated that container ships lose over 10,000 containers at sea each year (usually during storms). Ships also create noise pollution that disturbs natural lilied, and water from ballast tanks can spread harmful algae and authoritative species. Ballast water taken up at sea and released in port is a major source of unwanted exotic marine life. The invasive freshwater zebra mussels, native to the Black, Caspian and Capo Seas, Were probably transported to the Great Lakes via ballast water from a transoceanic vessel. Mines believes that one of the worst cases of a single invasive species causing harm to an ecosystem can be attributed to a seemingly harmless jellyfish. Nepotisms eyelid, a species of comb jellyfish that spread so it now inhabits estuaries in many parts of the world. It was first introduced in 1 982, and thought to have been transported to the Black Sea in a ships ballast water. The population of the jellyfish shot up exponentially and, by 1988, it was wreaking havoc upon the local fishing industry. Tenancy catch fell from 204,000 tons in 1 984 to 200 tons in 1993; sprat from 24,600 tons in 1 984 to 12,000 tons in 1 993; horse mackerel from 4,000 tons in 1 984 to zero in Now that the jellyfish have exhausted the zooplankton, including fish larvae, their numbers have fallen dramatically, yet they continue to maintain a stranglehold on the ecosystem. Invasive species can take over once occupied areas, facilitate the spread of new diseases, introduce new genetic material, alter underwater seascapes and jeopardize the ability of native species to obtain food. Invasive species are responsible for about $138 billion annually in lost revenue and management costs in the US alone. * Deep Sea Mining Deep sea mining is a relatively new mineral retrieval process that takes place on the ocean floor. Ocean mining sites are usually around large areas of politically nodules or active and extraterritoriality vents at about 1 ,400 3,700 meters below the oceans surface. The vents create sulfide deposits, which contain precious metals such as silver, gold, copper, manganese, cobalt, and zinc. The deposits are mined using either hydraulic pumps or bucket systems that take ore to the surface to be processed. As with all mining operations, deep sea mining raises questions about environmental damages to the surrounding areas Because deep sea mining is a relatively new field, the complete consequences of full scale mining operations are unknown. However, experts are certain that removal of parts of the sea floor will result in disturbances to the benthic are, increased toxicity of the water column and sediment plumes from tailings. Removing parts of the sea floor disturbs the habitat of benthic organisms, possibly, depending on the type of mining and location, causing permanent disturbances. Aside from direct impact of mining the area, leakage, spills and corrosion would alter the mining areas chemical makeup. Among the impacts of deep sea mining, sediment plumes could have the greatest impact. Plumes are caused when the tailings from mining (usually fine particles) are dumped back into the ocean, creating a cloud of particles floating in the water. Two types of plumes occur: near bottom plumes and surface plumes. Near bottom plumes occur when the tailings are pumped back down to the mining site. The floating particles increase the turbidity, or cloudiness, Of the water, clogging filter-feeding apparatuses used by benthic organisms. Surface plumes cause a more serious problem. Depending on the size of the particles and water currents the plumes could spread over vast areas. The plumes could impact zooplankton and light penetration, in turn affecting the food web of the area. * Oil Oil spills cause huge damage to the marine environment but in fact are responsible for only around of he oil entering the seas each year. According to a study by the US National Research Council, 36% comes down drains and rivers as waste and runoff from cities and industry. Fertilizers Fertilizer runoff from farms and lawns is a huge problem for coastal areas. The extra nutrients cause transportation flourishing of algal blooms that deplete the waters dissolved oxygen and suffocate other marine life. Transportation has created enormous dead zones in several parts of the world, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Baltic Sea. * Seas of Garbage Solid garbage also makes its way to the ocean. Plastic gas, balloons, glass bottles, shoe s, packaging material if not disposed of correctly, almost Everett inning we throw away can reach the sea. Plastic garbage, which decomposes very slowly, is often mistaken for food by marine animals. High concentrations of plastic material, particularly plastic bags, have been found blocking the breathing passages and stomachs of many marine species, including whales, dolphins, seals, puffins, and turtles. Plastic six-pack rings for drink bottles can also choke marine animals. This garbage can also come back to shore, where it pollutes beaches and other coastal habitats. Sewage disposal In many parts of the world, sewage flows untreated, or under-treated, into the ocean. For example, 80% of urban sewage discharged into the Mediterranean Sea is untreated. This sewage can also lead to transportation. In addition, it can cause human disease and lead to beach closures. * Toxic chemicals Almost every marine organism, from the tiniest plankton to whales and polar bears, is contaminated with man-made chemicals, such as pesticides and chemicals used in common consumer products. Some of these chemicals enter the sea through deliberate dumping. For centuries, the oceans have been a convenient dumping ground or waste generated on land. This continued until the 1 sass, with dumping at sea the accepted practice for disposal of nearly everything, including toxic material such as pesticides, chemical weapons, and radioactive waste. Dumping of the most toxic materials was banned by the London Dumping Convention in 1 972, and an amended treaty in 1996 (the London Convention) further restricted what could be dumped at sea. However, there are still the problems of already-dumped toxic material, and even the disposal of permitted substances at sea can be a substantial environmental hazard. Chemicals also enter the sea from land-based activities. Chemicals can escape into water, soil, and air during their manufacture, use, or disposal, as well as from accidental leaks or fires in products containing these chemicals. Once in the environment, they can travel for long distances in air and water, including People once assumed that the ocean was so large that all ocean currents. Laotians would be diluted and dispersed to safe levels. But in reality, they have not disappeared and some toxic man-made chemicals have even become more concentrated as they have entered the food chain. Tiny animals at the bottom of the food chain, such as plankton in the oceans, absorb the chemicals as they feed. Because they do not break down easily, the chemicals accumulate in these organisms, becoming much more concentrated in th eir bodies than in the surrounding water or soil. These organisms are eaten by small animals, and the concentration rises again. These animals are in turn eaten by larger animals, which can travel large distances with their even further increased chemical load. Animals higher up the food chain, such as seals, can have contamination levels millions of times higher than the water in which they live. And polar bears, which feed on seals, can have contamination levels up to 3 billion times higher than their people become contaminated either directly from household environment. Products or by eating contaminated seafood and animal fats. Evidence is mounting that a number of man-made chemicals can cause serious health problems including cancer, damage to the immune system, behavioral problems, and reduced fertility. Definition of Terms Transportation Excessive richness Of nutrients in a lake or other body Of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth f plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen Plankton The small and microscopic organisms drifting or floating in the sea or fresh water, consisting chiefly of diatoms, protozoans, small crustaceans, and the eggs and larval stages of larger animals. Many animals are adapted to feed on plankton, esp.. By filtering the water. Marine pollution occurs when harmful, or potentially harmful, effects result from the entry into the ocean of chemicals, particles, industrial, agricultural and residential waste, noise, or the spread of invasive organisms.

Text Features in Non-Fiction Informational Texts

Text Features in Non-Fiction Informational Texts Important tools to help students to understand and access information in informational texts are the text features. Text features are both ways in which the authors and editors make the information easier to understand and access, as well as explicit means of supporting the content of the text through illustrations, photographs, charts, and graphs. Using text features is an important element of developmental reading, which teaches students to use these parts to understand and comprehend the content of the text Text features are also part of most states high-stakes  tests. Students in fourth grade and above are usually expected to be able to identify the text features common to most non-fiction and informational texts. At the same time, they help struggling readers find and identify the information they are expected to know in content area classes, such as social studies, history, civics, and science. Text Features as Part of the Text Titles, subtitles, headings, and sub-headings are all part of the actual text, used to make the organization of the information in a text explicit. Most textbook publishers, as well as informational text publishers, use these features to make the content easier to understand. Titles The chapter titles in informational texts usually prepare the student to understand the text. Subtitles Subtitles usually immediately follow the title and organize the information into sections. Titles and subtitles often provide the structure for an outline. Headings Headings usually begin a subsection after a subtitle. There are multiple headings for each section. They usually lay out the major points made by the author in each section. Subheading Subheadings also help us understand the organization of the thoughts contained in the section and the relationships of the parts. Title, subtitle, heading, and subheadings could be used to create guided notes, as they are pivotal parts of the authors organization of the text. Text Features That Support Understanding and Navigating the Text Table of Contents Works of fiction seldom have tables of content, whereas works of nonfiction almost always do. At the beginning of the book, they include the titles of chapters as well as subtitles and page numbers. Glossary Found at the back of the book, the glossary provides definitions of special words within the text. Publishers often place words to be found in the back in boldface. Sometimes the definitions are found adjacent to the text, but always in the glossary. Index Also in the back of the book, the index identifies where topics can be found, in alphabetical order. Features That Support the Content of the Text The internet has given us a rich and easily accessible source of images, but they are still incredibly important in understanding the content of information non-fiction texts. While not actually text it would be foolish to assume that our students understand the relationship between the content and the picture on the same page. Illustrations Illustrations are the product of an illustrator or artist and create an image that helps us better understand the content of the text. Photographs A hundred years ago, photographs were difficult to produce in print. Now, digital media make it easy to create and recreate photographs in print. Now they are common in informational texts. Captions Captions are printed below the illustrations and photographs and explain what we are seeing. Charts and Diagrams Unlike illustrations, Charts and Diagrams are created to represent amount, distance, or other information shared in the text. Often they are in the form of graphs, including bar, line, and plot and whisker graphs, as well as pie charts and maps.

South Korea Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

South Korea - Research Paper Example In any country, the daily life of people is guided by cultural practices and believes. In South Korea the daily lives of the South Korean people is guide by Century-old Confucian principles. These principles include among others dedication to hard work and a devotion to family and society. Another unique cultural aspect of the South Korean Society is the use of both the Gregorian calendar and the lunar calendar. The Lunar calendar, with its ties to the land and awareness of changing of seasons assist them in identifying seasons and activities of those seasons. Unlike other societies, their festivals and holidays are based on the lunar calendar so it is advisable that one take necessary measures when planning a visit to this country (Lee 13). According to Lee (13), another part of Confucianism deeply practiced among the South Koreans is the idea of the patriarchic system that regards fathers as the most responsible members of the family and gives elders very much honor. In addition, i n this kind of system, the fathers can only undertake certain activities of the society and in most cases; the father is expected to lead in everything a family does. The problem with such a system is when the father turns to be irresponsible or he is not there at all. These can lead to some of the important family activities failing. In addition, Lee (13) states that the most predominant traditional festival among the South Koreans is the traditional Jesa. This is a ceremony organized to honor the ancestors. In South Korea rice is the most popular food in South Korea, taken as the main dish at almost every meal. Other parts of the meals may include vegetables, soups, fish, and meat. The most common food among the South Koreans is kuk (soup) and chim (stew) made with vegetables, rice, and meat. In addition to this, they also eat kimch’i. This is a spicy, pickled vegetable dish, which is served with other dishes (Davis 13). Changing from a developing to a developed nation has resulted in the change of the diet of the South Koreas. These changes include the importation of beef that has encouraged meat eating and the availability Americans’ food such as bread, dairy foods, baked goods and fast foods (Drago and Goody 150). Therefore, no one visiting South Korea should be afraid of the issue of food. Like the Chinese, the South Koreans have the culture of using chopsticks to eat instead of the cutlery used by the Western countries (Davis 13). It is important to note that some in-depth South Korean issues can be of interest to us. Some of these issues include ceramics, paintings, sculptures, Architecture, and religion. In this case, I will discuss the issue of religion. This does not mean that other issues are trivial; they are equally important as they are rooted to this community and have been practiced for years. They have also been developing from generation to generation. There are various religions practiced in the country of South Korea. Accordi ng to Clark (29), these religions are in three main categories, which include established religions, newly raising religions and the popular religion. Established religions include Buddhism, Christianity, newly rising religion include unification of churches, and the popular religion include shamanism (Clark 29). The oldest religions in South Korea are ideas, shamanism, and animism. In these kinds of religion, adherence

Reflection on Integrating Learning Styles & Multiple Intelligences Essay

Reflection on Integrating Learning Styles & Multiple Intelligences - Essay Example Sensing Thinkers use concrete, practical approaches to learning. The Intuitive Thinkers use conceptual and innovative approaches, and are oriented toward theories and meanings. Sensing Feelers use their imagination to see things that cannot be seen by the senses. Intuitive Feelers uses intuition along with feeling. The Multiple Intelligence theory popularized by Howard Gardner (1991)states that there are at least seven different ways of learning anything, usually called the seven intelligences: body/kinesthetic, interpersonal, intra-personal, logical/mathematical, musical/rhythmic, verbal/linguistic and visual/spatial. These intelligences are considered ways in demonstrating intelligences. This theory revolutionized how intelligence is conceived. This explains how children learn, and how they should be taught, which are far from what has been thought about before. The theories, concepts, and strategies presented in this course with respect to learning styles and multiple intelligences are very interesting and an eye-opener for teachers like me. Although these theories and concepts are not unfamiliar or unheard of since it has made a debut several years ago, it is a very good exercise to really get to know each learning style and intelligences. Dissecting each theory helps me understand it fully and know how its application to my teaching. It opens the door to the different possibilities of application for classroom application. Exposure the different learning-styles material prompted me to reevaluate how I judge ability as well as weaknesses of my students. It made me realized that although I was employing different strategies to make our class interesting, I was doing it randomly. Strategies that I used were based on the concept that I am teaching and not on my students’ learning styles and intelligences. I have gained several important insights on the differences of students, their uniqueness, strengths and weakness. A few of these

Environmental Pollution Essay Example for Free

Environmental Pollution Essay Environmental pollution is not a new fact. It is one of the biggest problems the world faces today. It is a big matter which is disturbing us economically, physically and our normal life. According to the Scott Forseman, pollution is defined as the addition of any substance of form of energy to the environment at a rate faster than the environment can accommodate it by dispersion, decomposition, recycling or storage in some harmless forms. Our precious earth is daily polluted in a variety of ways such as air pollution, water, soil, chemical, smoke, noise, radioactive, thermal, waste, energy, oil and urban pollution. Pollution began to draw major public attention in the United States between the mid-1950s and early 1970s, when the congress passed the clean air act, clean water act and National Environmental Policy act. (W.A Andrews and D.K Moore).It was the industrial revolution that gave the birth to environmental pollution as we know it today. Growing evidence of local and global pollution and an increasingly informed public over time have given to environmentalism and the environmental movement, which generally seek to limit human impact on the environment. Scientists believe that all cities with populations exceeding 50,000 have some degree of air pollution. In this essay I will show that how human activities are producing pollution which is negatively affecting the whole world and environment and there are also two main solutions for this problem why it needs to be addressed. Pollution is causing by a lots of activities we do every day. Global economic production creates global pollution .Burning fossil fuels to run factories, motorized vehicles and power plants are producing huge amount of pollution everyday. Motor vehicles produce high level of Carbon monoxide (CO) and major source of hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NO) which is very harmful for our environment. The other major cause is fertilizers using in the crops, it also creates pollution because it negatively affect the human health, water and the plants. One another type of pollution is oil pollution in the oceans. It is release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbon in the environment due to the human activities.

Magnesium Essay -- essays research papers

Magnesium is the twelfth element on the periodic table. It is located in the second group called the alkaline earth metals. Natural magnesium contains three different isotopes, and there are twelve others that are recognized. Seawater is a rich source of magnesium in the form of salt. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the earth's crust. Magnesium readily ignites upon heating in air and burns with a dazzling white flame. To extinguish the flame water should not be used. Alkaline earth metal salts in general, are less soluble in water than the corresponding alkali metal salts. Some are even so insoluble that they resist weathering and leaching action in rainwater. Alkaline earth metals are extracted from the mineral ores like they have been for many decades. This second group of metals is also less reactive than the alkali metals. They do not need to have a specific storage procedure like that of the corresponding elements. These alkaline metals react with acids, and in certain temperatures of water. They are also harder than their alkali friends. In general, they have a gray-white luster that tarnishes quickly in the air to form a tough, thin oxide coating. The coating protects the metal, particularly magnesium, from further oxidation. This allows alloys of these metals to be used as low-density structural materials. Magnesium is one of the two most important alkaline earth metals. It is found in seawater. Today, though it is chiefly produced by electrolysis of fused magnesium chloride. It has many uses. Magnesium is an important material that is a chief component in a number of high-tensile-strength, low-density alloys. These properties allow the alloy to be very valuable in air and spacecraft construction. Also, the alloyed metal is used to make a large variety of other products, such as, artificial limbs, vacuum cleaners, optical instruments, recreational skis, wheelbarrows, lawn mowers, and outdoor furniture. Magnesium is also found in asbestos. Asbestos was used in insulating materials up until it was found to cause cancer and other types of lung diseases. The unalloyed metal of magnesium is used in photographic flashlight powders, incendiary bombs, and signal flares. This special element also has many important roles in the body. The most vital need for it is on the cellular level. It is as important as calcium, and is found in bone... ... nuts, pecans, and cashews contain some of the highest amounts of the element from edible nuts. Many types of fish contain the element too, specifically salmon. Also fruits such as dried apricots or avocados hold the element well. Eating these foods proves to be beneficial to the body in the ways already stated and many more in the long run. As you can see, magnesium is a special element that is extremely useful in our lives. We come across every day, completely unaware that it is there or even what it is. Most elements are like that though, never thanked or recognized for the important roles they play in our world today. Life without elements wouldn't be life at all. Without elements, such as magnesium, we would find ourselves without many of the conveniences and advancements in civilization that are currently available to us. Society, as a whole, (not just chemistry students) should learn more about these elements and appreciate all that they have given them for without them, life wouldn't be the same. With new advances in space exploration and more experimental research, we are sure to find many more elements which will make the life to come almost an effortless exsistance.

Faraday’s Law Essay

The Faraday is the electrical charge contained in a mole of electrons. In this experimented 2 values are determined. One by measuring the amount of charge needed to reduce H+ ions to h2 gas, and the other is as Cu atoms are oxidized to Cu2+ ions. The chemical formula applied during this lab was Cu + 2H+-> Cu+2 + H2. Procedure Cleaned a copper plate in 2M HNO3, weighed it and recorded data. Mixed 100ml distilled water with 50ml of 3M sulfuric acid in a 200ml beaker. Put buret upside down into beaker and placed cathode up inside buret. Connected side aspirator to water aspirator. Set voltage regulator to zero turned power on; voltage was put to 190 amps and started recording the time. Regulated dial to keep current constant until 25ml of hydrogen had filled the buret. Data Calculations 1. Average current during electrolysis = 190 amps 2. Elapsed time in electrolysis (seconds) = 1080 seconds 3. Coulombs transferred in electrolysis = . 1900 x 1080 = 205. 2 coulombs 4. Mass loss of copper anode = 6. 6061g – 6. 5427g = . 0634g 5. Moles of Cu lost = . 0634/63. 54= 9. 98 x 10^-4 moles 6. Moles of e- released by Cu oxidation = 2 x 9. 98 x 10^-4 = . 00200 moles 7. Value of faraday for Cu oxidation = 205. 2/. 00200 = 1. 03 x 10^ -5 coulombs/moles 8. Mercury equivalent of water column = (1. 00g/mol)(337mm)=(H hg) = 24. 8 mm hg 9. Partial pressure of water vapor = 21. 068 (mm Hg) 10. partial pressure of hydrogen gas produced = 762. 5 = 24. 8 + 21. 068 + P h2 P h2 = 716. 6(mm Hg) 11. Moles of H2 formed = (. 943)(25. 3) = N(82. 05)(296) N=9. 8 x 10^-4 moles 12. Moles of e- use top reduce H+ = 2 x 9. 8 x 10^ – 4 = . 00196 moles 13. Value of Faraday of H+ reduction =205. 2/. 00196 = 1. 04 x 10 ^5 (coulombs/moles) Discussion 1. 04 x 10^5 coulombs was the calculated value for electrical charge contained in a mole of electrons. The equation applied for this experiment was Cu + 2H+ -> Cu+2 + H2. The experimental value calculated was 104,000, compared to the accepted value which is 96,500 coulombs/moles; the values are close in range. The percent error was 7. 77%, some possible reasons for error could producing too much or too little h2 in the buret. Another possible error could be not enough Cu+.