Marine Pollution Essay Example for Free

Marine Pollution Essay Pollution of the worlds oceans is quickly becoming a major problem on Earth. We know very little about the effect that pollution has on the oceans, but we continue to dispose off chemicals, sewage and garbage into it at an unprecedented rate. Most people likely do not even know what types of pollutants reach the oceans. There may be billions of people unconcerned about ocean pollution and hence this problem. Truly, the fish catch from the sea will tend to bio concentrate the pollutants to finally reach the humans. Toxic Ocean Pollutants Toxic pollutants in the ocean ecosystem have massive impacts on the plants and animals. Heavy metal poisoning (such as lead and mercury) from industrial effluents accumulate in the tissues of top predators such as whales and sharks (so do not hesitate to support ban of hunting whales and sharks but to the dislike of many others). Many a times such poisoning causes birth defects and damages nervous system. Dioxins from the pulp and paper bleaching process can cause genetic chromosomal problems in marine animals and may even cause cancer in humans. PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) typically cause reproduction problems in most marine organisms. PCBs usually come from older electrical equipment. Poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are another source of marine toxic pollution and typically come from oil pollution and burning wood and coal. These PAHs are responsible for causing genetic chromosomal aberrations in many marine animals. Lastly, low-level radiation poisoning is also possible in the ocean environment. Though scientists know very little about how radiation affects marine organisms, it cannot be a good thing anyway. Some marine species such as a population of Beluga whales living in the St. Lawrence River area in Eastern Canada are in serious trouble because of marine toxic pollution. These Beluga whales are the victims of ocean pollution ranging from PCBs to heavy metals as well as other pollutants. However, toxic pollution is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of total ocean pollution. The toxic pollution varies from PAHs heavy metal pollution from industrial effluent and fallout, PCB pollution and even possible low level radiation. No matter what we humans do, there is potential for serious pollution of the oceans. Marine Garbage Marine garbage disposal is another major form of ocean pollution. The worlds oceans are a virtual dumping ground for trash. Sometimes the garbage includes junked out fishing nets, plastics, general household garbage and even like bulbs. In one case, an island 300 miles from the nearest inhabited island (and 3000+ miles from the nearest continent) had 950 pieces of garbage ranging from plastics to tin cans. Garbage in the oceans is a serious issue as fish entangle themselves in fishing nets and animals sometimes eat trash products and die. There are numerous examples of dolphins, sharks and whales entangling themselves in fishing nets and dying from oxygen starvation. It is possible to clean garbage from the oceans if humanity quits using it as a garbage dump. Marine garbage can often enter into animal gut; plastic pop tab rings accidentally strangle animals and so forth. Controlling this form of pollution is important to maintain a healthy ocean ecosystem. Even simple plastic bags can have large pollutive impacts within the ocean. In one case, a deceased sperm whale was found to have a party balloon blocking its digestive system. The whale died from inability to process its food and died of starvation. Plastics can also have negative impacts to boats if they accidentally plug water intake lines. Sewage Disposal in Ocean Sewage is yet another major source of marine pollution. Typically, the problem with sewage is that it causes massive nutrient loading in the ocean ecosystem. Nutrient loading triggers algal blooms in the water leading to the loss of dissolved oxygen. After the depletion of oxygen levels, many organisms in the ocean die from being unable to breathe properly. Other problems associated with sewage include parasites/bacteria that force closure of public coastal beaches and poisoning of shellfish fisheries. For the most part, cities in the developed world have sewage treatment facilities but many of the cities in poorer areas have little to no sewage treatment. As the world population continues to increase, sewage pollution will be on the rise. What we often do not realize is that the waste water out of washing our clothes, faces, dishes and cattle, is ultimately headed to the sea. This includes everything from our homes (toilets, washing machines, bathtubs, dishwashers and so forth), industrial effluents and even chemicals such as paints and fertilizers that we dispose of down the drains. Eventually, all of this sewage pollution adds up and we land in serious problems due to lack of oxygen for organisms and poisoned water. Non-Point Pollutants The last major source of ocean pollutant is non-point. Non-point pollution can come from amazingly varying sources, viz., runoff from farmland (fertilizers, manure), industrial runoff (heavy metals, phosphorous), urban runoff (oils, salts, various chemicals) and atmospheric fallout of airborne pollution. Obviously, it is the hardest to control. Point pollution, in contrast, is pollution from a direct source like a factory outfall pipe. The enrichment of water by nutrients, especially compounds of nitrogen and phosphorus, causes an accelerated growth of algae and higher forms of plant life to produce an undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms and the quality of the water (Eutrophication). Input of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to the sea is a natural prerequisite for life, not an environmental problem. It becomes a problem only when the input increases to such levels that the original properties or functions of the ecosystem change. Then, it becomes too much of a good thing. When this manifests in marine waters or a lake, it is referred to as eutrophication a concept covering a series of events in the aquatic environment. Input of too large amounts of nutrients, followed by other events and effects is ominous and results in higher levels of nutrients in the water. Physical, chemical and biological changes that follow tend to reflect in the fauna and flora, oxygen conditions change and other changes in the water mass, in the sediments and on the surface of the bottoms. Pollution of coastal waters: Kerala under microscope The coastal waters of the maritime states are under the constant threat of pollution from a number of sources. The relatively long shoreline of India (6000 Km) is no exception either. More so is the case of Kerala. Compared to the rest of the union, profile of Keralas coastal waters may be better; still a lot remains to be achieved. The tropicality of the region and consequent intense rain fall in the hinterland, along with the physiography has immensely contributed to the quality of coastal waters. The agrarian nature of land use itself has become a bane to the coastal water bodies of the state in the midland as well as in the lagoons in coastal land. Fertilizer residue originating from the tea, cardamom, and rubber plantations of the highland and midland are finally headed to the coastal water of the ocean. But, the brunt is borne by the waters in the lagoons, ponds and other inland water bodies. The intracoastal water way is no exception either. Obviously, the fertilizer residue leads to the eutrophication of the coastal waters, and adds to the reservoir of the chemicals that already exists in the sea. Luckily, the amphibious plant species that characterize the fresh water bodies and lead to their eutrophication, do not survive in the marine environment. However, if not checked, we may reach a situation like in the mouth of Mississippi River, where a 60 mile wide algal belt has reportedly come to stay. The sheer size of the coastal waters is an insurance against the pollutants, like the fertilizer residues, yet could not influence the sea water chemistry to any great extent. Where do we go from here? Industrial pollution is not as bad as it used to be in the developed world as new techniques and better waste and effluent treatment are put in place. New laws and regulations make it difficult for people to dump their trash into the oceans though inevitably some dumping will always occur. One idea is to promote community beach-cleaning events where in everybody volunteers in to pick trash off the beaches. By cleaning up the trash on beaches, we lessen the potential chances of accidental animal kills and afford better and cleaner looks for beaches. Reduction of sewage is possible through the installation of better sewage treatment facilities and by adoption of volume reduction technologies for the worlds cities. Developed countries like Canada and the United States as well as Western Europe should assist the poorer countries in installing sewage treatment facilities. Reducing harmful sewage discharge would be a major start in helping to clean the oceans of pollution. Many areas of the world have reduced non-point pollution through proper recycling facilities for used oil and paint products. In the past, people simply dumped used oils and paints into the sewer system where they would do serious damage to the water. Pollution will still occur but with effort and determination it

Nicolas Poussin Essay -- essays research papers fc

Nicolas Poussin 1594-1665 Pictori philosopho (Blunt, 3), â€Å"Painter-philosopher† was a name given to Nicolas Poussin by Serous d’ Agincourt in 1782. Agincourt later found out that the name Pictori philosopho had already been given to the German artist Anton Raphael Mengas.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nicolas Poussin was born in 1594 in the town of Les Andelys on the Seine. He came from a nobel family that was ruined by religious wars according to Giovanni Pietro Bellori. No actual proof of this has been established his father Jean Poussin was said to have had some descent of the hierarchy. His mother was the daughter of an alderman. His father served in the military under the command of Charles IX, Henry III, and Henry IV were he came home with a small holding and led the life of a peasent. Education in Les Andelys was not that of high caliber top notch schooling, but early biographers report that Poussin learned Latin. The visit of a painter to Les Andelys by the name of Quentin Varin greatly affected Poussin in the early years of his life. The affect of Varin’s short visit to Les Andelys so greatly affected Poussin that he left home that same year. â€Å"He crept secretly out of the house without the knowledge of his parents.†(Blunt, 13) Upon departure of his home in Les Andelys he traveled to the province capital of Rouen. Once in Rouen he studied for several years under Noel Jouvenet who lived in Rouen at the time. According to biographer Bellori, Poussin arrived in Paris, France in the year 1612, at the latest 1613.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is not much information on the time of Poussin’s life that he left Rouen and the time that he arrived in Paris. Once in Paris he met a man from Poitou who offered his home to Poussin and treated him with great kindness. Poussin was set to decorate his chateau, but due to the interference of a mother-in-law the project was hung out to dry. This left Poussin, â€Å"The young artist found himself without money and three hundred miles from Paris.† (Blunt, 13) He then began the long trek to Paris on foot; he supported himself by painting in small towns that he passed through. He arrived in Paris so ill that he returned to Les Andelys, where he spent a year recovering from his illness. After a years rest Poussin returned to Paris where he built a name for himself as a reputable artist. He made many friends w... ...craments, and especially subjects that refer to baptism (Hibbard, 45).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Poussin believed that virtue and wisdom could be taught to mankind through painting. When he died in 1665, every artist and every lover of painting in Rome revered him. Among the great painters who were most inspired by Poussin’s work was Cezanne, the famous post-impressionist. If Poussin looks back to Raphael and Ancient Rome he points forward to Ingres and Picasso. Poussin painted pictures of total perfection, but those same paintings touch our hearts with their poetry. Works Cited Arikha, Avigdor. Nicolas Poussin, The Rape of the Sabines. Houston: Museum of Fine   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Arts, 1983. Blunt, Anthony. Nicolas Poussin, New York: Bollinger Foundation. 1967. Carrier, David. Poussin’s Paintings. University Park: The Pennsylvannia State   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  University. 1993. Hibbard, Howard. Poussin: The Holy Family on the Steps. London: Penguin Books Ltd.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1974. Oberhuber, Konrad. Poussin The Early Year in Rome. New York: Hudson Hills Press.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1988

Crucible Allusions

One allusion Miller used is New Jerusalem, meaning the holy city of heaven in the Bible. I believe Miller used this allusion in order to show us how his characters viewed their land in America. They believed that they were the ones who were selected by God to find this New Jerusalem. But I also think Miller had intentions to make this allusion ironic because when they Puritans came to America to pursue religious freedom because they were persecuted for their beliefs in England.However, they also persecuted others for having different religious views because they thought that other religions would corrupt and bring deceitful ideas to their New Jerusalem. I also believe Miller used this allusion to show the vengeance of the Puritans, since they felt the need to persecute because they themselves were persecuted (Miller 1237). Another allusion used by Miller is the use of Lucifer, which is the Devil. I believe Miller used Lucifer as an allusion because he wanted to express the importance that the Devil had on the characters of The Crucible.I think Miller thought this was necessary since it shows that they both need and want someone to blame for everything that is goes wrong in Salem (Miller 1260). They accuse people of being witches, who were there because of Lucifer. The use of this allusion several times throughout the Crucible suggests that the Puritans were kind of obsessed with Lucifer, thus revealing that Miller had high regards for the Salem characters religious beliefs..This also shows that vengeance was very common since envy of the miserable toward the happy resulted in revenge (Miller 1237). Martin Luther, a German theologian who led the Protestant Reformation, was another allusion Miller used in The Crucible. The reason why I believe Miller used Martin was because Martin had an experience that closely resembled that of the Salem witch trials. He too was blamed of being affiliated with Hell and accused of heresy. So Miller wanted to show that trials were not only held in Salem but in other parts of the world.In the case of Martin, he also then accused his enemies of being in an alliance with Hell, similar to how Tituba accused someone else when she was accused (Miller 1260). But for Luther, his case was more complicated in that he thought that he had contact with the Devil and argued theology with him. So I believe this allusion was ultimately used to provide similar examples of the problems that were happening in Salem. The last allusion that Miller uses is the Inquisition.I think Miller used this allusion because it sort of resembles the Salem witch hunts of The Crucible. Instead of only mentioning witch hunts in early America, he shows us other examples of people being accused of wrong doings and then blaming it on others. Pope Gregory IX proposed the Inquisition in 1231 and Catholic judges started accused people of treason and heresy (Miller 1253). In both cases there were deaths because of persecutions. So he wanted us to see the similarities between other cases of accusations, vengeances, fear, and greed.

Persuasive Essay On Chopsticks - 953 Words

Rough Draft: Forks [NEED BETTER TITLE] Just as his dad didn t require him to speak Japanese, my dad didn t require me to use chopsticks. Both must have decided at some point that passing along cultural heritage in these particular forms was too much of a hassle. Becoming familiar with other things, like literature in English, Calculus, Bob Dylan, Charlie Chaplin, and Baseball, took priority. Perhaps this is the process known as Americanization,† although both of them were already as â€Å"American† as they come well before I was born. Compared to the many important parenting decisions that would surely play a role in determining my identity, whether or not to train me on chopsticks at a young age was a barely noticeable fork in the road.†¦show more content†¦Why use a fork when eating with hands is both faster and cheaper? Contributing to its slow adoption, the fork also shared traits with the pitchfork or trident of the devil along with the connotation of the forked tongue, not exactly the epitome o f truthfulness that would be desired in an everyday object. By the 11th century some people had adopted the use of the fork (Goldsmith). However, its use was uncommon and its users were sometimes ridiculed for their seemingly unnecessary use. One princes is described by saying that â€Å"she deigned not to touch her food with her fingers, but would command her eunuchs to cut it up into small pieces, which she would impale on a certain golden instrument with two prongs and thus carry to her mouth (Goldsmith). Clearly at this time forks were not yet for everyone but only for a few of the upper class. Forks were not widely adopted until the industrial revolution which allowed the mass production of the silver plated utensils for all (Goldsmith). At this point many commoners could afford to not only own a fork but a whole set of silverware (Goldsmith). [NEED TO TIE HISTORY BACK TO POINTS] One might observe that while forks can scoop things up, they are designed for stabbing. They re g ood for separating solids from liquids, wrapping a tangle of noodles into a clump, plucking and poking to test the texture of something suspiciously foreign on a plate. With the help of a knife, they can be