adventures in maryland April 21, 2007

Over break, I enjoyed a refreshing nature walk at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Maryland.

The environment is richly diverse because of its location. There is a fusion of species from the North and the South, and the Potomac River acts as a corridor that unites several different habitats. For example, in the winter, the soil around the park sinks slightly and water collects in these holes which creates an opportunity for wetland plants to thrive.

One of the cool things about this park was the old wooden water locks on the canal. The locks were used to raise and lower water levels for ships traveling through the canal. I noticed that there was a sludgy build up around the locks and the water did not smell good. Just like dams, water locks have an impact on their surrounding ecosystems. I’m sure this gunk that i saw in the water has an effect on D.O. levels and also the species living in that water.

wind it up March 2, 2007

photo credit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Turbine_aalborg.jpg

Earlier this week I quoted Al Gore in his acceptance speech at the Academy Awards. I’m going to revisit that quote as it applies to an article I read about alternative energy sources: “We have everything we need to get started, with the possible exception of the will to act. That’s a renewable resource — let’s renew it.”

Shell Oil Company and BP have are now investing in projects to produce wind and solar power. The influence of these two major companies is especially beneficial because they have a solid background, adequate funding, and are able to handle large-scale projects.

Shell is one of the nation’s top five generators of wind power, while BP’s Alternative Energy group — launched 16 months ago — aims to develop projects that produce 550 megawatts of electricity this year, one-sixth of the projected US wind energy output in 2007

The top three producers of wind power in the world are Germany, Spain and the U.S. respectively. This project is a great step towards lowering CO2 emissions, 41% of which come from power plants according to the article “Two oil giants plunge into the wind business” from the Boston Globe.

There are a few drawbacks to wind power, however. It takes up a great amount of land for windmills and does not generate as much energy as other power sources. They aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing but still, it is a renewable resource and I believe that at the risk of further global warming, any alternative should be considered.

Also, some environmentalists believe that the companies are just using this as a publicity stunt to get more customers. I don’t think its fair to make such accusations, I mean of course the companies want to make more money but as long as they’re doing something remotely productive for the environment, I don’t think anyone should complain. Its kind of like that expression “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” (although i never really understood that). At least these companies have the “will to act.”

sources:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/03/02/two_oil_giants_plunge_into_the_wind_business/
http://www.grist.org/news/daily/2007/02/26/?source=rss#

toxic spill, “not particularly dangerous”?! February 28, 2007

So, thousands of gallons of chemicals being spilled into the Ohio River is no big deal right? WAIT WHAT? That’s crazy! OF COURSE IT’S A BIG DEAL! Well, Mark Buese didn’t seem to think so. Buese is the spokesman for the company responsible for the spill, Kirby Inland Marine. The spill took place between Illinois and Kentucky when the ship carrying the chemicals hit a lock wall. His statement regarding the spill was as follows (and believe me I wish this was some sort of sick joke) “I would say it’s not particularly dangerous,” he said. “Any spill is serious. … but my answer would be that there would not be a risk to human health.” Ok mister nonchalant I like to spill chemicals in rivers for fun man, let me spell it out for you:
The chemical which spilled out is called cumene, also known as isopropyl benzene. Cumene is used for creating chemicals such as phenol and acetone and can cause irritation, dizziness and headaches when inhaled. A state park near the accident was closed down by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to ensure safety.

Now, why does benzene sound familiar…ahh yes it is a liquid that can emit volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) such as the ones we learned about while studying indoor air quality. According to the EPA, there are several effects of exposure to these VOC’s

Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.

not a big deal…right.

sources:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html#Health%20Effects
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumene
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17384406/

Water Shortage February 26, 2007

image credit:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Yangtze_River_Map.png

In class we discussed that there are over a billion people that do not have access to clean drinking water around the world. Drought has caused declining waters in the Yangtze River, which has deprived one million people of their drinking water. At 730,000 square miles, the Yangtze is the longest river in Asia.

Water levels in the Yangtze River are lower than ever recorded, in some areas a 2 meter drop from normal levels was evident. This extraoridinary drop has affected the residents, the fishermen, as well as the organisms living in the water. Runnoff from the river has killed off several species of fish.

A survey by biologist Deng Qixiang found that only 16 of the 40 species recorded in the 1950s are to be found today. The Sichuan Taimen, a protected species, has not been seen in one stretch of river, the Wenchuan, for an entire decade. Another fish, the shad, called “the beauty of the water” by China’s early poets and known today for its economic value, has also disappeared.

This has caused additional problems for farmers because large industries unjustly take up a significant amount of the water supply, therefore production of crops is also lowered.

image credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:YangtzeCruise.jpg

Shapingba Waterworks is the name of the company which relies on the Yangtze for its water supply. This company is one of the largest water suppliers in Chongqing. As of now, only one of the ten water pumps is in use in the Yangtze, and continuing decreasing water levels could cause a serious problems.

“If the water levels in the Yangtze and its upper tributary Jialing River continue to decline, we’ll face a real crisis,” Xinhua quoted an unnamed Shapingba spokesman as saying.
The local water bureau said water levels in the Yangtze and Jialing rivers had declined sharply because of a lack of rainfall, which followed a severe drought last summer.

Financially, this issue has already taken up the equivalent of 1.1 billion U.S. dollars. This has been especially difficult for the Chinese government to deal with because they are accustumed to dealing with flooding waters rather than water scarcity.

Water management in China is not as well organized as it should be. There are numerous different departments that cover different categories of water management but none of them hold enough power to make a significant difference.

China has no laws that handle rivers specifically. Current opinion favours establishing separate laws, such as a Yangtze River law, a Yellow River law and so on. But this will not give the overall consideration that the problem needs. The management, protection and use of these large rivers are already major problems.

sources
http://www.enn.com/med.html?id=1419
http://www.hsbccommittochange.com/hsbc-case-studies/water/yangtze-forum/index.aspx
http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/738-Quenching-China-s-thirst

and the oscar goes to….environmental science! February 26, 2007

People all over the world, we need to solve the climate crisis. It’s not a political issue; it’s a moral issue. We have everything we need to get started, with the possible exception of the will to act. That’s a renewable resource — let’s renew it.

-Al Gore

I think its great that in his acceptance speech for the Oscar that “An Inconvenient Truth” won last night at the Academy Awards, Al Gore emphasizes that saving the Earth is NOT a political issue. It is so frustrating when people refuse to watch this documentary only because Al Gore is a democrat. Why don’t they just give up their personal boycotts and realize that their political orientation will not save them from floods or increased spread of diseases! Environmental Science seems to have this super liberal hippy connotation to it, but really theres a lot more to it, and some people are too stubborn with their own opinions to see that not all scientists hug trees for no reason-they have the facts so why do some people ignore them?! So I guess I’m just writing this post as a little hooray for Al Gore’s award-winning documentary…and also to vent about stubborn people who think global warming is a hoax. I’ll go hug a tree now.

article source:
http://www.grist.org/news/daily/2007/02/26/?source=rss#2

since when was school a host for illness? February 21, 2007

Although the situation has gotten better, just last week I would look around my class and notice that about 5 or so classmates were absent. I then took note of that look of utter misery on the faces of the students who had made it to school, you know, everyones exhausted and dissheveled and sniffling and coughing and just plain sick. So why is it that Fenwick is a host for illness that seem no better than the black death? Perhaps our problem is indeed indoor air quality! Although I do not believe that Fenwick would qualify as a “Sick Building,” there are several factors that contribute to the not-so-fabulous air quality that could be responsible for, for example, my classmate Camille Boden’s recent case of Bronchitis.
According to the EPA’s website, “Common biological contaminants include mold, dust mites, pet dander (skin flakes), droppings and body parts from cockroaches, rodents and other pests or insects, viruses, and bacteria. Many of these biological contaminants are small enough to be inhaled.”
So…lets think about this…
-Cockroaches, check (trust me, i’ve seen them in the bathrooms-not pleasant)
-mold…ya we probably have some of that too
-dust mites, seriously, who doesn’t have dust mites?
-viruses, these probably come from the freshman. Just kidding…not really.
-bacteria, ew.

All of these biological air pollutants can cause sneezing, coughing, dizziness and fever, among other illnesses.

Of course, these aren’t the only possible sources of poor air quality at Fenwick. There is a chance that there are Volotile Organic Coumpounds from paints and maintenance supplies on the loose. Then of course there could be asbestos creeping in the walls but I really would rather not think about that. After all, that does put you at a risk of fatal illness…yikes.

My suggestion-take lots of vitamins.

source:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/index.html

Camper Savy January 31, 2007

I’m sure we all enjoyed the Voyageur frocks of the Canadian visitors as well as their enlightening presentation about Quetico, but just what skills does it take to be a respectful camper when it comes to taking care of your surroundings? I am a fervent camper/scout myself, although I have never been to Quetico, though I have learned all of the “Leave-no-trace” camping techniques necessary to cause as little disruption as possible on a campsite. Here are a few tips that I have learned over the years while camping…

Shelter
When finding a place for shelter, try to pick out a location that is already relatively clear of plants/shrubs (especially when using a tent) so that you dont have to damage more plants on the ground. If you are a hard-core woodsy camper…or you forgot your tent, find a sturdy tree where you can build your lean-to shelter. Begin by setting a series of large sticks against the tree. Once you have a solid frame, fill in the cracks with dried leaves and twigs. If you see that it is going to rain, you may need to find live leaves to cover your shelter for water proofing, otherwise refrain from using live materials. Once you no longer need the shelter, be sure to take it apart completely and scatter the materials so that they are more or less back in the same place you took them from.

Water
Water is definately the most important part of any camping trip. You need it for your food, for washing, and of course for hydration. If you are in a park like Quetico where there is always a nearby water source, then your job is relatively easy. However, if you do not have a nearby water source you will need to find alternative methods of retrieving water. You can find water in many places such as underground, in the roots of plants, and moss. Water can be collected from morning dew as well. It is always helpful to have a method of purifying the water, either with tablets or by boiling it.

Food
Hopefully you will have brought your own food along with, and hopefully it does not require much maintenance. The visitors from Canada showed us freeze-dried food packs, and as gross as those are, they are easy to prepare and do not take up too much space. A meal like that only requires boiling water. You simply pour the water in and wait a few minutes…and voila-your beef stroganoff is ready. Try to keep it simple when it comes to preparing food and only make as much as you will eat to eliminate leftovers. If there are any leftovers, they should be scattered throughout a forested area away from your campsite. I would recommend bringing silverwear rather than disposable forks and spoons so that you have less garbage to carry around. If you are at a sight overnight you can either risk having your food supply conquered by a wild animal, or you can hang it from a high tree limb. Also, GORP (good old raisins and peanuts aka trail mix) is your friend for an on the go snack.

Building a Fire
Campfires can be very damaging to a site if not properly prepared. Many campsites already have a set location for campfires, but from time to time there wont be. Find a relatively clear location for the fire and set the boundaries for it by collecting stones and making a circle of stones around your fire before you light it. For a true leave-no-trace fire: set down an open garbage bag in a circular shape. Place soil on top of it so that only the edges of the bag are exposed, build your fire on top of the soil using dried sticks and leaves and once you are finished using the fire, lift the garbage bag over the remains and then scatter everything in the forest.

Hygeine
If you choose to keep up with hygeine in the wilderness, use biodegradable soaps. When brushing your teeth, rather than spitting out the toothpaste, spray it out (away from your campsite of course) so that it does not all fall in one place (I know its gross but we’re trying to protect nature here ok?) When going to the bathroom, make sure you are at least 100 feet away from a water source.

Most important of all in any situation, PACK IN PACK OUT. This means take everything that you brought back with you, including garbage! Leave no trace means leave nothing behind!

Happy camping!

Sources: believe it or not this I came up with all of this myself based on all the info i’ve learned for camping for years and years….yay!

elfstedenonwhat? another victim of global warming. whats next? January 5, 2007

Global warming strikes the winter sports again!

A speedskating race called Elfstedentoch features nearly 15,000 amateur skaters. This race is not held every year, however because it requires the ice to be at least 15cm thick. This tradition has been going on for over 100 years and the race was last held in 1997. Due to warming in climate, it does not seem likely that this 200 km race can take place this year.

The real problem here is not only that a tradition like this cannot continue, or that ski slopes are getting slushy, the problem is that it takes extreme measures in order for people to realize that global warming is more than just a few degrees difference and that it is not something to be brushed off.

Global warming effects several aspects of life. We all know that there are melting glaciers warmer temperatures etc, but how do those effect agriculture and health? The effects on agriculture could be either positive or negative, depending on the area. While a raise in temperature may create an increase in crop development, this could also rush the harvesting period and cause a decrease in productivity. While dangerously low temperatures in the winter are not as much of a threat with global warming, dangerously high temperature in the summer pose a threat. Unfortunately, warmer weathers are welcoming for diseases such as malaria.

So while we may bask in the warmer temperatures, or fret about our ski season, we should also think about more serious issues associated with global warming.

sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_global_warming#Ecological_productivity
http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=11970

the beach! January 4, 2007

I recently returned from a vacation in florida, where most of my time was spent on the beach. I took the time to explore some of the plants on the beach to see how they compare to those that we noted at the Indiana Dunes.

The mid-beach was relatively similar, it mostly consisted of Marrum Grass.

However, further up on the dunes there was more diversity and some plants native to Florida:

Sea grapes can reach up to 10 inches in diameter and are able to withstand salt and dry weather. The root system also prevents erosion on beaches.

Beach Sunflower
The beach sunflower can survive in harsh conditions because it is tolerant to salt, grows low to the ground, and annually regrows because its seeds disperse and reseed.

Sandburs
These small plants have extensive small roots that also prevent erosion in sand.

And then of course, there were several scattered coconut trees at the top of the dunes. These palms are not native to Florida but they have spread throughout most tropical locations.

http://www.floridaplants.com/nature1.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccoloba_uvifera
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_trees

images:
my own images

slushy skiing December 3, 2006

photo credit: http://iwox.pnl.gov/images/squawski.jpg

So when you hear that buzz phrase “global warming” you think “ahhh carbon dioxide! melting glaciers! floods! oh no! fossil fuels! no more energy sources!” And then about 5 minutes later you’re talking about college apps and global warming is not nearly as important as your SAT scores. But what if the first thing that came to your mind when you heard “global warming” was “shucks, looks like i’m out of a job.” You may be thinking that its absolutley ridiculous that some toastier temperatures could ever possible prevent someone from working…but what if you were a proffesional skier? Or perhaps you are a skiing enthusiast? Funny to think that global warming piques the interest of someone other than those hard-core environmentalists for once. It’s strange that usually the reason behind closing ski slopes is due to blizzards or ice, yet now in several locations in Europe, slopes have been closed due to high temperatures. For example, the Women’s World Cup races in Switzerland were cancelled last Saturday (November 25th) because there was not enough snow.

Professional skiers across the globe worry about the long-term effects global warming could have on skiing. As with any other sport, skiing requires intensive training and competition, and if weather barriers such as the one in Switzerland and many other European countries persist, skiing could be in trouble.
Olympic skier Ted Ligety expressed his concern about the effects of global warming:

Every year, it gets worse and worse,In the not-so-distant future, it will be hard for most European places to continue ski racing.

While many people believe global warming does not have effects on the present day, it certainly does. You never know how global warming might effect you.

source:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-spw-oly1dec01,1,711874.story?ctrack=1&cset=true