Quarter 1, Article 4

1. Too Much of a Good Thing: Human Activities Overload Ecosystems With Nitrogen

2.

Chapter 3: Ecosystems

3. This article deals with a global environmental issue.

4. Human activities have drastically changed the amount of nitrogen in our ecosystem. Human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and producing industrial and agricultural products. Extra nitrogen that is released into the atmosphere by humans pollute fresh waters and coastal zones, and contribute to climate change. The nitrogen cycle takes non-usable forms of nitrogen and converts them into usable forms such as nitrates during nitrogen fixation. The cycle is mediated by various bacterias in the soil. "No phenomenon has probably impacted the nitrogen cycle more than human inputs of nitrogen into the cycle in the last 2.5 billion years." The main reason there is an excess of nitrogen is because fertilizers are used incorrectly and about 60% of the nitrogen is leached through the soil and goes into water sources. In the water, when there is too much nitrogen eutrophication occurs. Eutrophication is when algae is stimulated to grow on top of the water and take up oxygen which will lead to the death of many aquatic organisms. To help reverse the amount of nitrogen we can use crop rotations that would supply nitrogen instead of fertilizers and in general stop using such a big amount of fertilizers and burning too much fossil fuels.

5. This article talks about what we have been learning recently in class, about the nitrogen cycle and the human impacts we have on the amount of nitrogen in our ecosystems. Human overpopulation is the main reason for this issue, and also many other issues. Although we cannot control how much our population grows we can control how we plant and maintain crops. Instead of using harmful fertilizers we can plant legumes and rotate our crops which seems to be a simple task. If each person took the necessary steps we could eliminate this problem.

6. anthropogenic(adj)- caused or produced by humans.

Quarter 1, Article 3

1. 80 Percent of Global Water Supplies at Risk

2.

Chapter 14-Water

3. This article deals with a global environmental issue.

4. Overpopulation and the constant demand for water, is harming almost all of the worlds water sources. We are eliminating biodiversity all over the world by overfishing, pollution, and introducing new species. Humans are also overusing water for a number of reasons. Mainly because we need water to produce good crops for food. Scientists have studied and show that humans are literally "sucking rivers dry." Most of the problems have been around where there is a high density population and increased industrialization. According to the new Nature report, water supplies are under the heaviest stress in many of the world's floodplains and deltas including China's dammed Yangtze River and along Pakistan's Indus River, where devastating floods recently displaced millions of people. Scientists say that the way to solve these problems is to let nature work on its own. Instead of directing which way a river should go, humans should allow the river to flow as it would naturally.

5. I think that there should be laws limiting the way humans interfere with water and nature to help ensure that biodiversity will not be lost. Biodiversity is extremely important to earth and for species to evolve and grow. If humans continue to over use water and pollute water, there will be a limited amount of water left which is necessary for all life on earth. We should be doing all that we can to help make sure that our water sources stay clean and abundant.

6. Substantial(adj)-significant: fairly large.

Quarter 1, Article 2

1. Exide Exposes Neighborhood to Illegal Levels of Lead in Air

2.

Chapter 19- Air Pollution

3. This article deals with a local issue.

4. Lead pollution from a nearby factory has put a small town in Indiana on a list designated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) as being a violation for bad air quality standard for lead. The company Exide Technologies does not use the best control technology to control their release of lead into the atmosphere. Because of this the children and families of the town are being seriously harmed by the amount of lead in their air. Lead can either be inhaled or ingested. Once lead is in the body it is very quickly spread through the bloodstream to the whole body. This causes a wide range of health effects. In adults, ingestion of lead can cause high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and decreased kidney function. Children are at the biggest risk of lead poisoning because they are extremely vulnerable. Effects of lead in a child is reduced IQ levels, poor academic achievements, permanent learning disabilities, and bad behavior. Exposure to lead can also damage red blood cells, and weaken the immune system.

Exide is one of the largest secondary lead smelters in the world. They recycle tens of millions of batteries a year, and since they are not using the best available technology to reduce the amount of lead they release into the atmosphere, lead pollution is increasing dramatically.

5. I think that Exide Technologies should be punished for harming the lives of the families and especially the children of the neighborhoods surrounding their company. They should be doing whatever is possible to eliminate the amount of lead pollution they cause. It is unfair that the lives of people are at risk because a company does not use efficient methods in controlling their emissions.

6. Permissible(adj)- that may be permitted; Allowable