Hidden Threat: Elevated Pollution Levels Near Regional Airports

This article explains how a new study reveals the amount of pollution that lingers at many airports. According to the author, there are many health-related consequences due to the emissions caused by planes. Also, the author states that it will get much worse, if the government does not look into the issue. Ultra fine particles of pollution permeate the air, making it very toxic, as the particles are only 1/500th of the width of an average human hair, making them invisible to the naked human eye. In addition, many people travel through regional airports everyday, making them a potential medical disaster just waiting to erupt.

Now researchers across the nation and in other perts of the world are looking into this matter because they are starting to be more and more aware of what can possibly be in store for them if they do not take action. This relates to ecology in science class because the subject at hand is pollution, which spreads throughout the earth, and the study of ecology is basically the study of the earth. These ecological disasters have to be prevented in order to maintain balance to nature, because mankind relies on nature to live. Therefore, without nature, there is no hope for survival on earth. More and more people are joining the cause to fight against these threats to our environment, as they are finally realizing the full impact of the situation, and the problem still has a bleak hope of being exterminated.

Source:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118112423.htm

Class Response - Owl pellets (for Sunnyd)

Owl Pellets

In class, I learned about owl pellets and it was very interesting because I had the rare chance to explore through the very matter that the owls ate. They are great creatures because of their amazing ability to separate the inedible material from the edible material in their meal from the edible material in the gizzard, or a muscular part of the stomach that acts as a filter. This filter-like organ helps owls to collect all of the indigestible material and let the digestible material pass through their bodies while absorbing the nutrients. After the separation is complete, the gizzard forms a ball, or 'pellet', of the remaining bones and fur. Now the owl is ready to begin the process of regurgitation of the pellet. the pellet begins a slow journey up the esophagus, and after a couple of hours, the pellet finally is expelled from the owl's mouth. Then when my class dissected the pellets, we could see the remains of the rodents and other animals that the owls consumed in their meals. This experiment was highly enjoyable because of the amount of knowledge that I was able to learn.

Current Events - For Sunnyd

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303145300.htm

Are Wolves the Pronghorns Best friends?

There is a debate based upon the extermination of the gray wolf in their habitats and ecosystems. A new study reveals that the removal of the wolves from their habitats can affect another species in an extremely negative way. This species is known as the pronghorns. They are a uniquely North American animal that resembles the African antelope. The study, which was the featured article in the journal that goes by the name of Ecology, says that the more wolves that are exterminated, the more the coyotes will flourish. The coyotes are predators to the pronghorn fawns, so they will eat them. Therefore the pronghorn population will be severely depleted, causing a great change in the ecosystem. So the wolves can really help save the ecosystem if the are not removed from the park.

This relates to food webs, and food chains, which play major roles in an ecosystem. When wolves were reintroduced to the food web of the Yellowstone National Park, in Montana, nature seemed to be at peace. When they were taken out of the park in the early 1930's, the elk population suffered greatly due to lack of food and starvation. In other words, there were too many elk, and too less food. This study also proves that when one animal is removed from its ecosystem, then all of the other animals that share the system will be affected. Some changes will be positive, and others negative. All of the animals in a food web are interconnected through intricate links and the balance between these links is is very delicate. Man should not change this balance, for if we do, then there will be too many problems for all of us to handle.

Bullying

If everyone feels that bullying is wrong then why can't society or our own school community put an end to it? Relate your answer to either The Wave, Slake's Limbo or The Lord of the Flies.

I think that it is is easy for one to bully another when they feel insecure, or in power. For example, Jack, in the Lord of the Flies, bullies piggy. He seems to be in that mood the most when all of the others egg him on, as though he has overthrown jack. Piggy represents rules, society, and logic, but Jack is humiliating him in front of the whole group at the island. This represents how little society has a say in these matters. At the same time, Ralph was beat down and overpowered which leads me to believe that the fragile democracy that Piggy and Ralph had put together piece by piece was slowly starting to crumble in front of their very own eyes.

Summer Reading Question

What character did you identify with the most? Why?

I read the book A Wizard of Earthsea and the character that I was able to identify the easiest was Ged, the main character. He seemed to hold a certain power that transfixed me and it kept my interest throughout the whole story.The character seemed to be very imaginative and the reader would probably watch out for him when he appears in the story.

FOR KOKOPELLI1015

Welcome Scientists!

My favorite subject is math because it is very interesting to learn new theorems and postulates. The best book that I ever read was Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code. My favorite cafeteria food is grilled cheese with tomato soup. After I finish my chores on the weekend I like to watch television. If I had a free plane ticket to do anywhere then I would go to the Caribbean because I have never been there before. My favorite color is blue for no particular reason at all. If I had a pet, then I would name it Bob. This year, if I work hard enough, then I would get good grades.