Environmental science is a multidisciplinary academic field that integrates physical, biological and information sciences to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems-- according to Google. In this class, we see how an ecosystem works, how to sustain such ecosystems, and how they are being endangered currently. Not only do we look at how the world works, but also what human activities are threatening the health of the earth.
To emulate how an ecosystem works, we did a project where we made something called an Eco Column. For this project, we used 2 liter soda bottles where we put in dirt, seeds of plants, some animals such as spiders, crickets, fish, water, fruit, fruit flies, and gravel. Our goal was to have a self-sustaining ecosystem within the eco column. There different chambers for different biota. For example, dirt, grass, crickets, spiders, and slugs belong to a terrestrial chamber. Fish, gravel, and water belong the aquatic chamber.
From this project I learned that there are many key components in order for a ecosystem to sustain itself. Nutrient flow is very important so that the animals in the many different chambers can survive. The space was too little and there were too little animals in the ecosystem, so it was not possible for our eco column to be self sustaining. I did not know that there was a need for something as simple as space. The animals become very stressed when they are confined in such a small environment, so the living conditions inside the eco column was not ideal for something as simple as living space needed. An ecosystem is a very complicated matter.
To emulate how an ecosystem works, we did a project where we made something called an Eco Column. For this project, we used 2 liter soda bottles where we put in dirt, seeds of plants, some animals such as spiders, crickets, fish, water, fruit, fruit flies, and gravel. Our goal was to have a self-sustaining ecosystem within the eco column. There different chambers for different biota. For example, dirt, grass, crickets, spiders, and slugs belong to a terrestrial chamber. Fish, gravel, and water belong the aquatic chamber.
From this project I learned that there are many key components in order for a ecosystem to sustain itself. Nutrient flow is very important so that the animals in the many different chambers can survive. The space was too little and there were too little animals in the ecosystem, so it was not possible for our eco column to be self sustaining. I did not know that there was a need for something as simple as space. The animals become very stressed when they are confined in such a small environment, so the living conditions inside the eco column was not ideal for something as simple as living space needed. An ecosystem is a very complicated matter.
Another project that we did this year was something called the toxin booklet. For this project, me and my class group had to make a booklet to identify a list of the pollutants. We researched some of the most deadly toxins and pollutants in the environment, and the booklet went into detail about all of our findings. Day to day, we hear a lot about various chemicals that have crazy long names, but most of the time, we have no clue what they are.
This project was very important to me because it educated me about many dangerous industrial compounds and top tier pollutants that are adverse for human health. I think that it is very important for people to be educated about these toxins and also be wary of these things in our everyday life, because many disease are caused by exposures to such things, and people are clueless about this. Since they are clueless about this, they continue to feel ill and as they are continually exposed to these harmful compounds, they continually feel sick and are ill. It is important to know what items to avoid. People have a right to know and protect their health.
After doing this project, I was able to understand the harmful affects of many top tier toxins. I was surprised to learn that many of these toxins and pollutants exist in something that people use very commonly almost everyday! A particular chemical that I personally researched on was something called Polychlorinated Biphenyl which is also known as PCBs. This is a class of toxins that comprise of many different compounds, but all of them related by a single similar trait in these compounds. They contain a special formation of chlorine attached to a biphenyl. These cause adverse health affects such as respiratory problems, and nasty skin disease.
This project was very important to me because it educated me about many dangerous industrial compounds and top tier pollutants that are adverse for human health. I think that it is very important for people to be educated about these toxins and also be wary of these things in our everyday life, because many disease are caused by exposures to such things, and people are clueless about this. Since they are clueless about this, they continue to feel ill and as they are continually exposed to these harmful compounds, they continually feel sick and are ill. It is important to know what items to avoid. People have a right to know and protect their health.
After doing this project, I was able to understand the harmful affects of many top tier toxins. I was surprised to learn that many of these toxins and pollutants exist in something that people use very commonly almost everyday! A particular chemical that I personally researched on was something called Polychlorinated Biphenyl which is also known as PCBs. This is a class of toxins that comprise of many different compounds, but all of them related by a single similar trait in these compounds. They contain a special formation of chlorine attached to a biphenyl. These cause adverse health affects such as respiratory problems, and nasty skin disease.