CamilleG

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Crisis // It’s all over the news and has aroused many panics and hurried actions of concerned citizens. More than 5000 barrels a day is poured onto the ocean which means disaster for the wild life in this region. The aquatic biome being infected also suggests that more under water life will lead to even dreadful news. //

Species at risk from the Oil spill The timing is awful as it is the mating season for most animals such as Pelicans, alligators and turtles. Meaning, younglings will be vulnerable to the toxins along with its parents. Also, making animals plunge into sticky oil-covered ocean in search of food. The following could be found in the Gulf of Mexico • Leatherback and Green turtles, and the Loggerhead and Hawksbill turtles listed as endangered. •Kemp’s Ridley turtle only nests in this region and nowhere else and also listed as endangered. The mating season is in April but with the oil spill ongoing, it doesn’t take a wild guess that something might go wrong. •Sperm whale and a few other whales are found here. • Bryde whales are even more of an issue because its structural adaptation such as its filter in its mouth that were used to the Gulf’s uncontaminated water is at risk, meaning it can swallow larger amounts of oil. • Bottlenose, Atlantic, Risso, Rough-toothed, Fraser, Pantropical Spotted, Striped, Clymene and Spinner. • As the dolphin’s food chain goes, fish is their main source of food, but with the fish decreasing by the minute and contaminated flocks increasing, it is either starve or be poisoned.
 * Five species of Sea Turtle: **
 * Whales: **
 * Dolphins: **

Other species: Brown Pelican, Beach-nesting terns and gulls, the reddish egret, warblers, orioles, flycatchers, swallows and buntings ○ Birds are also heavily affected because the feather usually gets soaked up by oil making it unable to fly and hunt, also damaging the energy flow and food chain along with all the other afftected animals. The animal’s habitat has been altered completely together with normal interactions between the environment and abiotic subjects such as oxygen, water, nutrients, light and soil. The ocean has been covered by thick oils which covers the passage of light to the biotic components inside. Marine ecosystems such as corals already receive very little light for plant growth but with the oils in the way, it will receive even less. With this crisis, photosynthesis will be disrupted. Carbon Cycle ** Without the proper functioning of the carbon cycle, every aspect of life could be changed dramatically. The large amount of oil spills will impact the carbon cycling of the environment of Gulf of Mexico. With the oil at large, storage of carbon will have more carbon than usual, small, medium or long-term storage. It will affect regular photosynthesis and cellular decomposition. There will be more carbon entering plant leaves and reacting with oil-covered water in the presence of little sunlight to produce poor energy sugars during photosynthesis. During cellular respiration, less energy will be released within the cells of the affected organisms and made available for unhealthy growth and reproduction. Also, as more and more organisms die during this catastrophic times, rate of decomposition will rise rapidly having decomposers such as fungi and bacteria convert more organic molecules such as cellulose back into carbon dioxide and released into the atmosphere. Also, there will surely be a time where available carbon will decrease due to Carbons turning into rocks and sediments that will take centuries to be able to be used again.
 * [[image:http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2005/01/050111173124.jpg]] [[image:http://eraven.franklinpierce.edu/exch/58/oil%20spill.jpg]]

Scientist and many other concerned citizens all have the same question, “What to do?” Scientists are trying to organize a treat with dispersants - which share many characteristics with typical dishwashing. Another question pops out though, will it be bad if eaten by fishes? What of planktons that fishes eat? And don’t forget the tertiary consumers, humans. What if we eat fishes from the Gulf? Either way, we will be effected just as how algae, which is the primary producers gets affected. Mixture of oil and dispersants could definitely harm plants and smaller fishes that will still create a big impact as consumers eats it and the mixture will be passed along, soon leading to humans in the process of bioaccumulation. The only thing stopping scientist from not doing it yet is the decision between the long-term effects and the immediate approach to the crisis at hand. If you want to help: The official Deepwater Horizon Response website, with information and phone numbers might listen to your solution, according to the Sacramento Bee article. There is an online form for submissions of alternative technology ideas, or you can call (281) 366-5511. InnoCentive issues technical challenges, including for oil spill response ideas will take your problem-solving ideas to challenge the technical problems in plugging the oil leak. The Carmichael Box Shop. is collecting hair and fur for oil absorption booms at 4005 Manzanita Ave., Suite 6, Carmichael. The store's phone number is (916) 484-7363. Check out the website of the Carmichael Box Shop.
 * What to do? **

All on June 8, 2010 “Oil Spill Gulf of Mexico 2010: Wildlife and Fish At Risk” [] “Scientists watch for environmental effects of Gulf of Mexico oil spill” [] ““ [|Before Geoengineering, Understand The Carbon Cycle, Studies Say] ” ” [] “What is the Carbon Cycle?” [] “Animals Caught in Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: How You Can Help” [] “UC Davis scientists organize to solve Gulf oil spill problem with dispersants” []  Pictures [] [] [] [] []

Thruthfully, i can find many disadvantages for a procrastinating student using wikispaces; it is viewable when the work was done and excuses aren't tolerable. I do see other benefits though, it is easily accesible from any computers so an excuse such as " i forgot my homework" won't be heard. It is also easier to convey ideas since it isn't on a piece of paper, needing pen, pencil, eraser, colours or artistic skills for a descriptive project. Without question, i think it should be used in the future. Also, students who doesn't have any idea of the project may sneak a peek from other students but copying is impossible since all can be easily be viewed by the teacher. It promotes better understanding, more explanation, discussion oppotunities and a little disadvantage for students but mostly advantages for teachers. No need to take home a pile of projects full of glitters or 10 pages long paragraphs.

**Describe how climate can be influenced by human activities**
Pollution, without a doubt effect the climate,Air pollution includes greenhouse gases. One of these is carbon dioxide, a common part of the exhaust from cars and trucks. Greenhouse gases cause global warming by trapping heat from the Sun in the Earth’s atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are a natural part of Earth’s atmosphere, but in the last 150 years or so, the amount in our atmosphere has increased. The increase comes from car exhaust and pollutants released from smokestacks at factories and power plants. The increase in greenhouses gases is the cause of most of the global warming that happened over the past century. Scientists predict that much more warming will likely hapen during the next century.Natural activities that causes pollution (ex. volcanic eruptions, natural forest fires and sandstorms) that cause a large amount of substances such as Domestic Activities Industrial Activities Agicultural Activitiesdust and ash but added to these harm are human activities that contributes a huge harmful impact to the environent.Pollution is the process where various harmful substances are added to the environment by human and natural activities:- Air Pollution-Water Pollution-Land Pollution-Noise PollutionThe increasing population makes demands for food, materals and energy go higher and higher. More than often, the products needed to supply the raging needs ends to the increase of pollution in the environment.