APES Final Project

A-Z Project Nina Devone Ms. Britt 1-7-16Â The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody involved.

-Richard Rogers

Abiotic Factors

Picture of abiotic factors within an ecosystem http://kruger-nationalpark.weebly.com/abiotic-and-biotic-factors.html Abiotic factors are the nonliving factors within the environment. These include temperature, soil, and salinity. Biotic or living things, depend on abiotic factors in order to survive. For example, plants need the sun in order to undergo photosynthesis. Without the sun, the ecosystem would fail dramatically. In North Carolina, our soil (abiotic) varies by region. When abiotic and biotic factors work together, then the biodiversity of an area increases as the environment as a whole thrives.

Biomes

Picture of the biomes worldwide http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm A biome refers to major regional groups of distinctive plant and animal communities best adapted to the region’s physical natural environment, latitude, altitude, and terrain. Major biomes include the desert, tundra, savanna, grasslands, rainforest, and deciduous forest. In North Carolina, we’re located in the temperate deciduous forest. This is evident because of the different seasons that we go through every year. However, because of North Carolina’s varying regions, marine ecosystems as well as mountainous areas are also common.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s)

CFC’s coming from aerosol cans http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/ozone-lay er3.htm Chlorofluorocarbons or CFC’S, are non-toxic chemicals that were found in aerosol cans and refrigerants. They contain carbon, fluorine, and chlorine. When CFC’s come in contact with the ozone layer, the chlorine destroys the ozone, whose sole purpose is to absorbs UV radiation from the sun. Without this absorption of inflation, Earth’s surface is exposed to more radiation which can cause the melting of the polar ice caps and also cause skin cancer among humans. In 1987, the world as a whole pulled together to effectively phase out CFC usage, also known as the Montreal Protocol.

Deforestation

A leveled forest http://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/deforestation Deforestation refers to the clearing away of the Earth’s forest on a massive scale. The biggest driver of deforestation is agriculture because of the need for farm land. The biggest impact that deforestation has on the environment is that of the destruction of the habitation of thousands of species. Also, deforestation contributes to more carbon dioxide in the environment, which eventually leads to climate change.

Ecological Footprint

Picture of an area’s ecological footprint http://www.overshootday.org/kids-and-teachers-corner/what-is-an-ecolog ical-footprint-2/ An ecological footprint refers to the amount of land and water needed to support one’s lifestyle using current technology. Basically it refers to how much humans affect the environment as a whole. Does the environment have enough supply to support our demands? THat’s the question that we face as the human population, as well as human demand increase drastically. Lastly, being knowledgeable of how we affect the environment can help us to take precautions in how we go about our lifestyles.

Fujita scale

Chart of fujita scale http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/f-scale.html The fujita scale is used to measure the intensity of tornadoes based on the damage that it causes. Dr. Theodore Fujita first developed this scale in 1971. A F0 tornado is considered the weakest while and F5 is the most violent. However, scientists have switched over into the Enhanced Fujita Scale which ranges from an EF-0 to and EF-5. In North Carolina, we experience about 31 tornadoes every year. However, on a small percentage of those tornadoes ever reach above a F3.

Greenhouse Gases

Chart of greenhouse gas emissions http://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases.html Greenhouse gases refer to gases that contribute to the heating up of Earth’s surface. They include NcO, CO2, and Methane. When these gases are released in the atmosphere, heat is trapped and the greenhouse effect is the result. When the temperature of Earth’s surface increases, the polar ice caps start to melt, which causes the sea level to rise. The main contributor of greenhouse gases is the burning of fossil fuels.

Heat Island Effect

Diagram of Heat Island Effect http://www.weatherquestions.com/What_is_the_urban_heat_island.htm THe Heat Island Effect refers to whenever urban areas are hotter than surrounding rural areas. This is due to human activities such as repaving roads and building cement buildings that absorb heat and radiate it into the air. The heat island effect can caused increase A/C costs, general discomfort, and heat exhaustion. In North Carolina, cities such as Greensboro and Raleigh experience the heat island effect.

Igneous Rock

Extrusive Igneous rock http://www.mineralogy4kids.org/rock-cycle/extrusive-igneous-rocks Igneous rocks refers to rocks that are formed when magma cools and hardens. These rocks are most often found near volcanoes. There are two main types of igneous rocks that include intrusive and extrusive. Intrusive igneous rocks are formed below Earth’s surface.

Extrusive igneous rocks are formed above or on Earth’s surface.

John Muir

John Muir https://www.sierracollege.edu/ejournals/jscnhm/v1n2/muir.html During the Conservation Era (1870-1930), John Muir became a leader of the Conservation Movement. In 1892, he founded the Sierra Club, an organization devoted to protecting the environment. Muir’s writings and deeds inspired President Theodore Roosevelt to establish innovative conservationist programs. In North Carolina, our Sierra Club chapter is located in Raleigh.

Keystone Pipeline

Map of location of Keystone Pipeline http://www.topsecretwriters.com/2012/10/a-balanced-look-at-the-keysto ne-pipeline-project/ The purpose of the Keystone Pipeline was to transport synthetic crude oil from oil sands in Canada so that it could be refines and distributed. Advantages of the Keystone Pipeline included more jobs and less dependence on the Middle East. Disadvantages include discouraging the search for other alternate energy forms and the potential risk of leaking.

Currently, the project is at a standstill due to President Obama’s veto.

Lithosphere

Diagram of lithosphere http://www.earthbeforeflood.com/shift_o_poles_-_slip_of_lithosphere_or_ch ange_of_incline_of_earth's_%20axis.html The lithosphere refers to the soil and rock of Earth’s crust and upper mantle. The 3 major zones include the crust, mantle, and the core. The asthenosphere lies beneath the crust and is plastic-like, almost near its melting point. The lithosphere is broken into section called tectonic plates. Extreme heat on the mantle causes the plates to move. Movement of these plates can cause earthquakes and volcanoes.

Mass Movement

Rockfall http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/10x.html Mass Movement refers to the down slope movement of loose soil and rock due to gravity.

Examples of mass movements include rock falls, slides, slumps, flows, and creeps. Other triggers of mass movements include the oversteepening of slopes, removal of vegetation, and earthquakes. Geologists classify mass movements based on the kind of material, how it moves, and how fast it moves. Precautions that can be taken include using early warning systems and being aware of your surroundings.

Nuclear Fission/Fusion

Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/renewal/applications/h arris.html Nuclear fission occurs when particles split to create energy. This occurs in nuclear reactor such as in the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant. During a nuclear chain reaction, atoms continue to split until the atom is too small. In nuclear fusion, atoms fuse together and require a tremendous amount of heat and pressure. This is how the sun and stars are produced.

Ozone Layer

Diagram of ozone layer http://www.theozonehole.com/ozonelayer.htm The ozone layer is located within the stratosphere. It’s made up of ozone molecules that help absorb UV radiation from the sun. Unfortunately, due to human activity the ozone layer has become thinner. This means that the Earth's surface is exposed to more UV radiation that can cause harmful effects to the environment as well as human health.

Perpetual Resource

Solar panels http://wiseenergy.org/solar/ Perpetual resources, or renewable resources refer to materials that can be replenished within one’s lifetime. Examples of perpetual resources include biological materials such as trees, cotton, and wool. Other methods of perpetual resources include the uses of solar and wind energy. These resources can be replaced and are usually better for the environment.

In North Carolina, we rank #4 in the nation in the use of solar energy.

Quartz

Quartz mineral http://geology.com/minerals/quartz.shtml Quartz refers to a chemical compound made up of silicon and oxygen. It is the most abundant mineral found at Earth’s surface. Being one of the most useful of natural materials, it is used for many things such as glass and hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic Fracturing, also known as fracking, is used within North Carolina in order to obtain natural gas.

Rock Cycle

Diagram of rock cycle http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/rock.html (Notes) The rock cycle is a continuous process in which rocks change from one form to another. A rock is any solid mass of mineral matter that occurs naturally as part of Earth. The 3 major rock types include sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous. Energy from the rock cycle comes from both thermal and solar energy

Sedimentary Rock

Clastic sedimentary rock http://geology.com/rocks/sedimentary-rocks.shtml Sedimentary rocks occur when sediments are compacted and cemented together.

Weathering is the process in which rocks are gradually worn away into smaller pieces of sediment. The 3 types of sedimentary rocks include clastic, chemical. and organic.

Sedimentary rocks sometimes has layers due to them being deposited at the bottom of oceans and lakes. Also, fossils are mostly found within sedimentary rocks.

Tornadoes

“Twister” movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJxKQVfrc6g Tornadoes refer to a rotating column of air and has a vortex. A vortex extends downward from a cumulonimbus cloud. Although tornadoes can happen at any time, they usually occur between April and June. Inside a tornado, the air pressure is about 10% lower than outside, which caused the air to in rush in from all directions. The Fujita Scale measures a tornado’s intensity based on the amount of damage caused.

Uranium

Uranium element http://www.periodictable.com/Elements/092/index.pr.html Uranium refers to an element found within Earth’s crust. U-235 is a radioactive isotope used for the production of nuclear energy via nuclear fission. This use of uranium is considered “clean” because it doesn't directly pollute the environment like fossil fuels.

Unfortunately, nuclear disasters can and do occur. Chernobyl and Fukushima are examples of the devastating effects of uranium.

Volcanoes

Mt. St. Helens http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/Sthelens.html Volcanoes are located on or near plate boundaries near a subduction zone. THe most violent type of volcano is the tall steep-sided one called a cinder cone. The primary factors that determine whether a volcano erupts violently or quietly include the magma composition, the amount of gases in the magma, and the magma’s temperature. Pyroclastic material refers to what comes out of volcanoes during eruption and can include dust, ash, and gases. In the United States, the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980, is considered one of the biggest eruptions in recorded history.

Water Cycle

Water Cycle diagram http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/W atercycle.shtml​ (Notes)

The water cycle refers to the never-ending process in which water is recycled. A ;liquid changes to a gas during evaporation, then condenses to form a cloud, and falls back to Earth as precipitation.There it either infiltrates the ground, or runs off the surface. Although other processes may occur, the water cycle is balanced. This is because the average annual precipitation equals the amount of water that evaporates. The unchanging ocean levels is proof of this.

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping in front yard http://www.cleanwateraction.org/page/xeriscaping-texas Xeriscaping is the process in which landscaping techniques are used in order to conserve water. This is especially useful in the Western United States. Xeriscaping is considered a sustainable agriculture practice because of its emphasis on reducing water usage. It also includes terracing to help reduce run-off. Xeriscaping is a good practice for areas where water is scarce due to dry seasons or droughts.

Yucca Mountain

Yucca Mountain, Nevada http://www.hcn.org/articles/is-yucca-mountain-back-on-the-table Yucca Mountain is located in Nevada and is a proposed site for permanent storage of nuclear waste. Because it is located in the desert basically in the middle of nowhere, Yucca Mountain is considered an ideal location. However, Las Vegas residents as well as tourists fear the potential threat of being exposed to the deadly waste. This is mainly due to disasters such as Chernobyl and Three-Mile Island.

Zebra Mussels

Zebra mussels on propeller https://stateimpact.npr.org/texas/2013/06/18/how-zebra-mussels-could-r aise-your-water-bill/ Zebra Mussels are considered a non-native invasive species. This means that they are not originally form here and also disrupt the balance of the environment. Zebra mussels were accidentally introduced through the release of ballast water into the ocean. Other characteristics of invasive species include having no known natural predators, long life spans, and high reproductive rates. In NC, Kudzu are also considered non-native invasive species.