Environmental Science A-Z Project

Environmental Science A-Z Project Camryn Pate Ms. Brooke Britt 1/13/16

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” – John Muir

Astronomy

This diagram shows Earth's revolution around the Sun, as well as Earth's axial tilt and the dates of the solstices and equinoxes.

Source: http://www.weather.gov/cle/Seasons

At the beginning of the semester, we discussed Earth's position in our solar system. We considered Earth's rotation on its axis, axial tilt, and revolution around the Sun. These movements of Earth impact the daily lives of people all around the world. If Earth did not rotate, we would not experience day and night. If our planet did not revolve around the Sun, we would not have years. If it were not for Earth's axial tilt, each and every location on the planet would receive the same amount of sunlight, resulting in the same type of weather everywhere. That means we would not have four beautiful seasons!

Reference: http://www.weather.gov/cle/Seasons

Barrier Island

This photo shows a long line of vacation rental homes on North Carolina's Outer Banks.

Source: http://www.visitcurrituck.com/accommodations/vacation-rentals/

This year, we discussed the importance of barrier islands, like North Carolina's very own Outer Banks. These slim lines of sand protect the mainland from violent coastal storms.

Although they play a very important role, they are dynamic and are constantly changing due to the fact that sand is always being eroded and redistributed. Human development on these islands can seem pointless. The beautiful vacation homes shown in this picture will not last forever!

Eventually, nature will take over and destroy costly beach communities like these.

Reference: Ribbon of Sand. Dir. John Grabowska. Perf. John Grabowska, Meryl Streep. Public Broadcasting Service, 2008. Web.

Cirrus Clouds

This photo shows many cirrus clouds in the sky. I took this while standing in my yard.

Source: Me! :)

We discussed the different types of clouds in our weather unit. Cirrus clouds are the most common. They are whispy, thin, and exist above 18,000 feet. They generally appear white or light grey in color, but they can be pink, purple, or even orange at sunset. Being able to recognize the different types of clouds can help you predict approaching weather conditions. Cirrus clouds are good indicators of pleasant weather.

Reference: Britt, Brooke. “Albedo, Clouds, & Precipitation.� Honors Exploration of Natural World Science. Hobbton High School, Newton Grove, NC. 17 Nov. 2015. Lecture.

Deforestation

This photo shows a forest that has been almost entirely cleared for the profit of the pulp and paper industry.

Source: http://upstreampolicy.org/issues/paper-forest-destruction/

This year, we learned a lot about the negative consequences of deforestation. Destruction of natural habitats and loss of biodiversity are among the most obvious. Unfortunately, deforestation is also considered to be a contributing factor to climate change. Trees remove large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. When trees are destroyed, excess carbon is left in the atmosphere, resulting in more heat getting trapped. Deforestation is significant because it is constantly occurring and is impacting the climate on a global scale, but it can be reduced. Even small-town North Carolinians can make a difference by planting trees and using recycled paper products.

Reference: http://upstreampolicy.org/issues/paper-forest-destruction/

El Niño

This photo shows several inches of snow covering the North Carolina State University campus on December 26, 2010. This unusual snowfall was caused by El Niño.

Source: http://d.lib.ncsu.edu/collections/catalog/mc00336-Snow-12-26-2010-Court-of-North-Carolina

We discussed the natural phenomenon known as El Niño in our weather unit. El Niño is an unusually warm ocean current in the Pacific Ocean that occurs once every few years in the winter. El Niño is significant to people all around the world because it impacts global weather conditions. North Carolina experienced a white Christmas in 2010 due to the El Niño that was occurring. This year's El Niño is predicted to become one of the strongest on record. This has the potential to devastate some parts of the world. It can cause some fishing industries to collapse because the fish migrate when the water gets unusually warm. It can also cause intense droughts.

Reference: “Chasing 'El Niño.'” Nova. Public Broadcasting Service, 1998. Web.

Fossil Fuels

This photo shows a large group of environmental advocates gathered on North Carolina's Outer Banks to protest against offshore oil drilling in the Atlantic.

Source: http://www.southernstudies.org/2015/08/drive-to-drill-the-growing-resistance-to-atlantic-.html

This year, we discussed the many disadvantages of relying on fossil fuels as an energy source. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, were formed from the remains of ancient organisms. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are generated when fossil fuels are burned, contributing to global warming. In addition, extracting fossil fuels can be very harmful to the environment. Offshore drilling can lead to devastating oil spills, such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It is important to remember these consequences because some legislators still want to expand offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. Many environmental advocates in communities along the Atlantic coast, including in North Carolina, have been pushing back.

Reference: http://www.southernstudies.org/2015/08/drive-to-drill-the-growing-resistance-toatlantic-.html

GMOs

In this photo, a natural salmon and a genetically modified salmon, both 18 months old, have been placed side-by-side for size comparison.

Source: http://scienceprogress.org/2011/09/the-gmo-salmon-struggle/

At the end of the semester, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In November, the FDA approved genetically modified salmon as the first ever altered animal available for human consumption. Having fish that reach market size more quickly may seem like a good thing, but we still do not know what kind of consequences this can have for human health and the environment. This is not just about animals. Nearly 90% of crops grown in the United States have been genetically modified. Although these crops require less fertilizer and are more resistant to disease, cross contamination is a major concern, and very little testing and research has been done. These pros and cons are significant and should be evaluated to form educated opinions.

Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/20/business/genetically-engineered-salmonapproved-for-consumption.html?_r=0

Heat Island

This is a photo of downtown Raleigh, NC. Source: http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/my-sky

While learning about different types of climates and biomes, we discussed the heat island effect. Heat islands are any built-up areas, or cities, that are warmer than nearby rural areas.

Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte are just a few examples of heat islands in North Carolina. Heat islands are so warm because all of the dark materials, like concrete and asphalt, absorb large amounts of heat from the Sun. This can have significant consequences in cities all around the world. More energy is used for air conditioning in the warm summer months, leading to more greenhouse gas emissions and higher energy costs. Heat-related illnesses and deaths are also a major problem. It is important to be aware of these negative consequences so that something can be done to reduce the heat island effect. Increasing vegetation cover, creating “green roofs,” and using cool pavements are just a few methods of reducing the heat.

Reference: Britt, Brooke. “Climate & Biomes.” Honors Exploration of Natural World Science.

Hobbton High School, Newton Grove, NC. 2 Dec. 2015. Lecture.

Invasive Species

This photo shows kudzu vines growing over an entire hillside in North Carolina.

Source: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/8784

Near the end of the semester, we discussed native and non-native species. An invasive species is a non-native species that negatively affects habitats and biodiversity. Kudzu is a deciduous woody vine that was first introduced into the United States from Asia in the late 19th century. Farmers were encouraged to plant it to reduce soil erosion. It very quickly spread all over the South at a rate of one foot each day. Kudzu does most of its damage to other plants by suffocating them under large blankets of leaves. There are very few animals in the United States that make use of the kudzu, so it continues to spread without interference. It is important to remember that introducing new species into an area can be very harmful, especially if they are generalists, grow rapidly, and have no natural predators.

Reference: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/forests/explore/kudzu.xml

John Muir

This is a photo of the Sierra Club logo.

Source: http://www.sierraclub.org/maine/contact

John Muir was among the important environmental figures that we discussed in class.

Muir founded the Sierra Club in 1892. A well-known preservationist, he has also been nicknamed the “Father of Our National Parks.� Muir's legacy is still significant today. The Sierra Club is an active environmental organization in the United States, currently lobbying politicians to promote environmentally friendly policies. It focuses on promoting green energy, reducing global warming, and opposing the use of coal as an energy source. Even here in North Carolina, the Sierra Club's volunteers and leaders are on the front lines of environmental issues.

Reference: http://nc.sierraclub.org/content/about-us

Carrying Capacity (K)

This is an example of a very simple carrying capacity chart.

The curve shows how the population of rabbits in a specific ecosystem has grown over a certain amount of time. The horizontal dotted line represents the ecosystem's carrying capacity. The rabbit population stops growing when the carrying capacity is reached.

Source: https://blogs.uoregon.edu/eng104/2015/01/23/carrying-capacity/

At the end of the semester, we discussed carrying capacity (k). It is the maximum number of organisms that can be supported in a given habitat. Every ecosystem has a limit on the amount of organisms that it can sustain. Theoretically, when the limit, or carrying capacity, is reached, population growth stops, and the birth rates and death rates become equal. This is significant because there is much debate about whether or not there is a carrying capacity for humans.

Experience with other species indicates that there is. Eventually, we will run out of resources, or our habitats will become so degraded that they will not be able to sustain us. The most serious estimates for the carrying capacity for humans lie in the range of 10-20 billion people. There are currently over 7 billion people on Earth, and that number is steadily rising.

Reference: Britt, Brooke. “Human Population & Food Production.� Honors Exploration of Natural World Science. Hobbton High School, Newton Grove, NC. 15 Dec. 2015.

Lecture.

Livestock Farming

I took this photo of a very curious cow on my family's farm.

Source: Me! :)

We discussed the environmental impacts of livestock farming on several occasions throughout the year. It has many more disadvantages than one might expect. Cows are responsible for over half of the global greenhouse gas emissions due to the large amounts of methane that they produce. Animal agriculture also accounts for over half of the United States' freshwater usage. Livestock farming is one of the main reasons behind destruction of the tropical rainforests. We grow enough grain to feed the entire world and eliminate hunger, but the majority of it is fed to cows. It is important to keep all of these disadvantages in mind because change must start with ordinary people. Maybe going meatless on Mondays really is a great idea!

Reference: http://www.cowspiracy.com/infographic

Mass Movements

This is a photo of a road sign that warns of fallen rocks in an area where rockfalls are common.

Source: http://www.pbase.com/image/52753503

Near the beginning of the semester, we discussed mass movements. A mass movement is any downslope movement of loose sediments and/or weathered rock due to gravity. The five basic types of mass movements are rockfalls, slides, slumps, earthflows/mudflows, and creeps.

These movements are most common in mountainous regions with relatively steep slopes, like in the Appalachian Mountains. Although most triggers of mass movements, like too much or too little rainfall, steep slopes, and earthquakes, are beyond human control, there are some things we can do to prevent these movements. When vegetation is planted, the roots bind the soil and rocky material together, stabilizing the slopes. It is important to learn about the causes of mass movements so that they can be prevented to some degree.

Reference: http://www.scienceclarified.com/landforms/Faults-to-Mountains/Landslide-andOther-Gravity-Movements.html

Nonpoint Source Pollution

This photo shows contaminated water flowing off of a Tennessee farm following a storm.

Source: http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/04/25/water-quality-index-for-agricultural-runoff-streamlined-and-accessible/

This year, we spent a lot of time discussing pollution caused by humans. Nonpoint source pollution is any indirect discharge of pollutants into the environment. We do not know exactly where the pollution is coming from, so we cannot pinpoint the source and stop it. Agricultural runoff makes up a very large percentage of nonpoint source pollution. Everything from animal waste to chemical fertilizers eventually makes its way into the nearest body of water. This is significant because freshwater resources all over the world are susceptible to contamination by runoff. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is constantly trying to come up with new ways to evaluate water quality and ensure the safety of the environment.

Reference: http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/04/25/water-quality-index-for-agricultural-runoffstreamlined-and-accessible/

Ozone Layer

This diagram shows Earth, the troposphere, the stratosphere and ozone layer, the mesosphere, and the ability of the Sun's rays to penetrate each layer of the atmosphere.

Source: http://www.theozonehole.com/ozonelayer.htm

One of our main focuses in class was the ozone layer. This layer is located in the stratosphere, which is the second layer of Earth's atmosphere. The ozone layer acts like a sponge, absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun. This is significant because UV radiation causes sunburns and some forms of skin cancer. Unfortunately, chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have led to the thinning of the ozone layer. There are no natural processes that break down CFCs in the troposphere, so eventually, they make their way up into the stratosphere. As radiation from the Sun breaks them down, they release atomic chlorine, which destroys ozone. The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of CFCs. It became effective in 1989.

Reference: NASAexplore. “Ozone Layer Danger.� Online video clip. YouTube. Google, 1 June 2013. Web. 12 Jan. 2016.

Photosynthesis

This is a basic illustration of the process of photosynthesis. It includes the flower, its roots absorbing water through the soil, and its leaves absorbing sunlight and carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

Source: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/earth3.htm

We discussed photosynthesis a couple of times this year. Photosynthesis is the process through which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose (food for the plant) and oxygen. The balanced chemical equation is as follows: 6H2O + 6CO2 + sunlight energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2 This process is significant because it is absolutely essential to life on Earth. It provides us with oxygen, and it helps to remove carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere.

Photosynthesis also allows plants to produce their own food so that they can survive.

Reference: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/earth3.htm

1 & 3 Quarter st

rd

I took this photo at Kure Beach, NC, on 4/10/15, when the moon was nearing third quarter. The tidal range was relatively low on that day due to the moon's phase.

Source: Me! :)

We learned the eight phases of the moon during our astronomy unit at the beginning of the semester. We also discussed the ocean's tides and learned that the moon affects them. When the moon is at 1st or 3rd quarter (halfway between new moon and full moon, and vice versa), neap tides occur. This means that the tidal range, or the difference between successive high and low tides, is relatively low. When the moon is at new moon or full moon, spring tides occur, meaning that the tidal range is high. It is important for people who rely on the ocean for their livelihoods, like fishermen, ship captains, and coastal engineers, to monitor the tides. Understanding the phases of the moon and their effects on the tides can be very helpful.

Reference: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/tides/tides09_monitor.html

Rock Cycle

This diagram includes igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock and shows the processes through which one type of rock changes into another.

Source: http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/rock.html

Near the beginning of the semester, we focused on the rock cycle. There are three major types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. The rock cycle consists of the continuous processes that cause rocks to change from one type to another. Igneous rocks form when magma cools and hardens beneath Earth's surface or when lava cools and hardens because of a volcanic eruption. Over time, the igneous rocks get weathered down into small sediments.

When those sediments are compacted and cemented, they form sedimentary rocks. When sedimentary rocks are subjected to intense heat and pressure, they form metamorphic rocks. All of this is significant because rocks exist literally everywhere on our planet, and they are constantly changing!

Reference: Britt, Brooke. “Soil & Rocks.� Honors Exploration of the Natural World Science.

Hobbton High School, Newton Grove, NC. 15 Sep. 2015. Lecture.

Seismic Waves

This is a diagram showing the four types of seismic waves (primary, seconday, Rayleigh, and love) and how they travel through material.

Source: http://www.geo.utep.edu/kidd/eqwave.html

This year, we discussed earthquakes and seismic waves. Seismic waves are the waves of energy caused by the sudden breaking of rock within the Earth or by an explosion. There are two main types of seismic waves: body waves, which travel inside the Earth, and surface waves, which travel along the Earth's surface. Body waves arrive before surface waves. Primary waves (compressional/longitudinal waves) and secondary waves (transverse waves) are both types of body waves. Although surface waves travel more slowly than body waves, they are responsible for the damage and destruction associated with earthquakes. Love waves (horizontal waves) and Rayleigh waves (waves that roll) are both types of surface waves. Scientists study these waves to measure the intensity of earthquakes in locations like California.

Reference: Britt, Brooke. “Earthquakes.� Honors Exploration of the Natural World Science.

Hobbton High School, Newton Grove, NC. 23 Sep. 2015. Lecture.

Topsoil

This photo shows a dark layer of topsoil.

Source: http://inhabitat.com/soil-erosion-could-cause-food-crisis-expert-warns/

At the beginning of the semester, we discussed soil and erosion. Topsoil is the upper, outermost layer of soil. Unfortunately, topsoil erosion is a major environmental concern. Plants obtain most of their vital nutrients from this layer. Therefore, when soil begins to erode away and nutrients get removed, plant growth is limited. Soil is considered a nonrenewable resource because it takes thousands of years to form. Once it has been eroded, it will be gone for a long time! This is significant everywhere because fertile soil is necessary to grow crops. Some human activities, such as overcropping, overgrazing, and deforestation, help to accelerate soil erosion.

Proper land management is important! If we continue to mistreat our soil at the current rate, all of the world's topsoil could be gone within the next 60 years.

Reference: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/only-60-years-of-farming-left-if-soildegradation-continues/

Uranium-235

This is a photo of Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant near Raleigh, NC. Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/energy/2015/04/duke-energy-reports-small-hairline-fault-in.html

This semester, we discussed the many different energy resources, including uranium.

Uranium is a fairly common element in Earth's crust. Uranium-235 is a radioactive isotope that is used to produce nuclear energy via fission in power plants. Nuclear power is considered to be a “clean” energy source because it does not directly pollute the atmosphere like fossil fuels do. The “smoke” you see coming out of a nuclear reactor is really just water vapor. However, highly radioactive and dangerous nuclear fuel is created as a byproduct. The radioactive isotopes in the spent fuel can take hundreds of thousands of years to decay completely. Therefore, the fuel must be stored in a “safe” place. Large amounts of this radioactive waste has been stored inside of Yucca Mountain in Nevada. If an accident were to occur, the surrounding area, including Las Vegas, would be exposed to dangerous radiation. Unfortunately, spent nuclear fuel is not the only concern. Disasters have occurred at power plants themselves. Nuclear meltdowns and explosions can have terrible effects on the environment and human health. There is much debate about whether or not the risks associated with nuclear power are worth it.

Reference: http://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear-power/nuclear-power-technology/how-nuclearpower-works#.VpauyxUrKUk

Velocity

This is a photo of a Cape Fear River rapid, or a fast-flowing and turbulent part of the river, in North Carolina.

Source: http://www.capefearadventures.com/trips/whitewater.aspx

We discussed the many characteristics of a river this semester. Velocity is the ratio of distance/time in a given direction. In simpler terms, velocity is speed. The ability of a river to erode and carry sediment depends on its velocity. This can also be significant for recreational activities. People who prefer lazy stretches of peaceful water should look for rivers with a low velocity. People who enjoy turbulent whitewater rafting should look for rivers with a high velocity. Many rivers, like the Cape Fear River, have sections of both high and low speed.

Reference: http://www.capefearadventures.com/trips/whitewater.aspx

Alfred Wegener

This diagram shows how the continents split apart from an ancient supercontinent, called Pangaea, over millions of years and formed the world we know today.

Source: http://www.livescience.com/38218-facts-about-pangaea.html

This year, we discussed Alfred Wegener's continental drift theory. More than a century ago, Wegener proposed the idea that a supercontinent called Pangaea once existed. The continents that we know today appear to be able to fit together like puzzle pieces. Fossils of the same species have been found on opposite sides of the world. Some mountain ranges appear to match up, and evidence of ice sheets and glaciers have been found in parts of the world that are now far too warm to freeze. Although all of this evidence supports the idea that the continents were once connected and have drifted apart over time, Wegener's theory was rejected at first because he did not know why or how the continents had moved. Today, we know that convection currents in the Earth's mantle cause the tectonic plates to move. Millions of years from now, Earth will look completely different than it does today!

Reference: http://www.livescience.com/38218-facts-about-pangaea.html

EXfoliating Beads

This is a photo of a skincare product that contains tiny plastic exfoliating beads.

Source: https://forcechange.com/73040/ban-exfoliating-microbeads-for-their-harm-to-aquatic-life/

We discussed the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and plastic pollution this semester. Plastic is not biodegradable, so it accumulates in the ocean and forms a “plastic soup.� Much of this pollution has been traced back to skincare products that contain tiny plastic exfoliating beads, or microbeads. They are manufactured to be small enough to wash down the drain. Just like in Finding Nemo, all drains lead to the ocean! They can end up in freshwater ecosystems, as well, because municipal sewage systems occasionally release their wastewater into rivers during heavy rains. President Obama recently signed a bill into law that bans the selling and distribution of products containing these plastic beads. Yay! :) Reference: CNN Newsroom. Cable News Network. CNN, New York. 31 Dec. 2015. Television.

Yellowstone

This is a photo of the Great Fountain Geyser at Yellowstone National Park.

Source: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/yellowstone-national-park/#/yellowstonefountain-geyser_2018_600x450.jpg

This semester, we discussed the history of conservation and presevation. Yellowstone became the very first national park in the United States when it was signed into law in 1872. It is widely held to be the first national park in the entire world. This is significant because it set a precedent for preservation around the globe. Preservation is the idea that some land should be set aside and left as wild as possible, untouched by humans. National parks are open for recreational activities, like hiking, camping, and fishing, but absolutely no logging, mining, or extractive industry is allowed. Most national parks do not allow hunting.

Reference: Britt, Brooke. “Conservation & Preservation.� Honors Exploration of the Natural World Science. Hobbton High School, Newton Grove, NC. 13 Oct. 2015. Lecture.

Zebra

This photo shows a small herd of zebras in the wild.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra#/media/File:Zebra_Botswana_edit02.jpg

At the end of the semester, we discussed food webs and the importance of each and every organism within them. Zebras are herbivores and rely mostly on grass for food. Zebras themselves are important prey for lions and hyenas. If zebras were removed from the food web, there would be more grass for other herbivores to eat, resulting in a greater population of those animals. The lion and hyena populations would decline, resulting in greater numbers of antelopes, buffaloes, giraffes, and other animals that lions and hyenas feed on. Being able to understand food webs is significant because they exist literally everywhere. It is important to remember that every organism has a purpose!

Reference: http://www.outtoafrica.nl/animals/engzebra.html

The End!