Muneetp

=GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL =

= **1.1 Biomes ** =

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Biomes are the largest divisions of the biosphere. Within biomes there are similar biotic and abiotic components. Latitude, elevation, ocean currents, temperature, and precipitation are all abiotic factors that can influence the characteristics of biomes. These are the nine biomes, and seven of them are found in Canada: tundra, boreal forest, temperate decidious forest, temperate rainforest, grassland, desert, permanent ice, tropical rainforest, and aquatic. Adaptions are also required to enable an organism's survival and reproduction.The three types of adaptions are structural, physiological, and behavioural. **The oil spill obviously has caused a major destruction of wildlife and plantlife. It pollutes the air with chemicals, which is very dangerous. ** =====

=**1.2 Ecosystems** =

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In this section, we learn about what an ecosystem is, the different parts of it, and the biotic/abiotic interactions within it. For example, how abiotic components such as oxygen, water, and nutrients interact with biotic components such as plants and animals.Symbiotic relationships are also reffered to, and are the interactions between members of two different species that live together. Examples of symbiotic relationships are commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism. The oil spill has an enormous affect on ecosystems. It can get into the bodies of animals, which can lead to their death. Many birds when they try to clean themselves swallow oil, which can poison them. To summarize the affect, it is that all the living things that come in contact with the oil, can get poisoned. =====

= **Chapter 2 : Energy flow and nutrient cycles support life in ecosystems** =

= **2.1 Energy Flow In Ecosystems** = In this section, we learned about energy flow. How it flows from producers to primary consumers to secondary and tertiary consumers. How each step in a food chain represents a different trophic level, and how food chains are different then food pyramids. In detail, the roles of all of the parts in the food chain are discussed and the trophic level they belong to. For example, how secondary consumers obtain their energy from eating primary consumers and belong to the third trophic level. The oil spill will be destroying certain animals that belong to a food pyramid. They themselves are food to other animals, and are predators to the rest. It messes up the foodchain and makes animals who would hunt them down, left with no food.

= **2.2 Nutrient Cycles in Ecosystems** = In this section, we learn how nutrients are cycled in the biosphere. How continious flows of nutrients in and out of stores are called nutrient cycles. The three different nutrient cycles: Carbon,Nitrogen, and Phosphorus are also discussed. How each of them are stored and cycled. We also learn how changes in nutrient cycles affect biodiversity. For example, changes in the carbon cycle are contributing to climate change.

=**2.3 Effects Of Bioaccumulation on Ecosystems** = In this section, we learn how pollutants climb the food chain and how human activities can make natural disturbances worse. Bioaccumulation is the gradual build- up of chemicals in living organisms. Biomagnification is the process in which chemicals not only accumulate but become more concentrated. Ways of reducing effects of chemical pollution are also discussed. We learn about the different POP'S (Persistent organic pollutants). They are carbon-containing compounds that remain in water and soil for many years. Such as heavy metals, lead, cadmium, and mercury.

 **Wikispace Commentary:**
I do enjoy doing projects on wikispaces, because it lets you be artistic. Instead of a project where you have to cut and paste, this is much simpler because most of us are on computers a majority of the time anyways. It's also much better then doing a test, because you don't have to stress out and cram about it. It's much better then havign to memorize terms or doing worksheets!

=**Bibliography:**=

By: S.F Heron "How Do oil spills affect the enviroment?" [] June.25/10

By:Hamza A "How Do Oil Spills Affect ecosystems?" [] June.25/10 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =**Is Weather Becoming More Extreme <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">? ** =

*** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Are major storms becoming more frequent and intense? **
<span style="color: #3a85e4; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Yes, major storms such as hurricanes, droughts, and windstorms are unfortunately becoming more frequent. Scientists believe that it is due to climate change and global warming. It's also claimed that the warmer oceans are and the increasing moisture, it could intensify hurricanes. Global warming doesn't seem to be getting any better, nor does it seem to be coming to a stop. It's a major contribution for the severity and intensity of storms such as hurricanes. A new study in the journal "Nature", shows that storms such as hurricanes and typhoons have become deadlier, and stronger over the past thirty years. Apparently, ever 1º rise in sea surface temperature will increase the intensity of hurricanes. Another possibility may be that ocean temperatures are increasing more quickly then atmospheric temperatures, which is also a great factor.



<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">***Are there more episodes of droughts and flooding around the world then there were in the past?**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3a85e4; font-family: Georgia,serif;">It may seem like there is more flooding now then in the past for many reasons. Such as:


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3a85e4; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: center;">The better media coverage we get now, which is how we hear about the damage.
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3a85e4; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: center;"> The changes made in landscapes, making it severe
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3a85e4; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; text-align: center;"> Structures built in flood-prone areas.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">*** Are temperature extremes greater then they've been historically?**
<span style="color: #3a85e4; font-family: Georgia,serif;">It is said that 1998 is the warmest year, but 2006 is also marked as the second warmest year. So you can say the temperatures are increasing periodically. The last nine years have earned a spot in the rankings of the 25 warmest years on record.



=<span style="color: #3a85e4; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">BIBLIOGRAPHY <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">: =

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> "Is Global Warming Making Hurricanes Worse?"
April 25th,2010 <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">[]