Mini-Project #5

Superfund

The Superfund program was created by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). The acts established authority for the government to respond to the release/threat of release of hazardous wastes, including cleanup and enforcement actions. Long term cleanups at National Priority List (NPL) sites last more than a year while short term /emergency cleanups are usually completed in less than a year. Our Federal Facilities Program monitors and provides assistance to federal facilities in Region 4 to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and policies under CERCLA. The Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, under the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response provides the policy, guidance and direction for our knowledge managment programs.

The Superfund and Federal Facilities Restoration programs are helping state and local governments all over the Southeast region realize significant real estate and development opportunities by assisting in cleaning up Superfund sites for reuse through our land revitalization effort. We are collaborating with our state and local partners to help restore land and watersheds that have been contaminated, deforested and eroded by mining in the past.

The nearest superfund site to me is a facility at the Homestead Air Force Base located in Homestead, FL.

Mini-Project #4

Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods produced from genetically modified organisms (GMO) that have had their DNA altered through genetic engineering. GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s. The most common modified foods are derived from plants: soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil. (Wikipedia)

Here is a list of GM products along with its non-GM products:
http://www.truefoodnow.org/shoppersguide/guide_printable.html

Mini-Project #3

List of Endangered Animals in Florida

Alligator, American ( Alligator mississippiensis)

Bankclimber, purple ( Elliptoideus sloatianus)

Bat, gray ( Myotis grisescens)

Butterfly, Schaus swallowtail ( Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus)

Caracara, Audubon's crested (FL pop.) ( Polyborus plancus audubonii)

Crane, whooping [XN] ( Grus americana)

Crocodile, American ( Crocodylus acutus)

Darter, Okaloosa ( Etheostoma okaloosae)

Deer, Key ( Odocoileus virginianus clavium)

Eagle, bald (lower 48 States) ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Jay, Florida scrub ( Aphelocoma coerulescens)

Kite, Everglade snail (FL pop.) ( Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus)

Manatee, West Indian ( Trichechus manatus)

Moccasinshell, Gulf ( Medionidus penicillatus)

Moccasinshell, Ochlockonee ( Medionidus simpsonianus)

Mouse, Anastasia Island beach ( Peromyscus polionotus phasma)

Mouse, Choctawhatchee beach ( Peromyscus polionotus allophrys)

Mouse, Key Largo cotton ( Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola)

Mouse, Perdido Key beach ( Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis)

Mouse, southeastern beach ( Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris)

Mouse, St. Andrew beach ( Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis)

Panther, Florida ( Puma concolor coryi)

Pigtoe, oval ( Pleurobema pyriforme)

Plover, piping (except Great Lakes watershed) ( Charadrius melodus)

Pocketbook, shinyrayed ( Lampsilis subangulata)

Puma (FL) ( Puma concolor)

Rabbit, Lower Keys marsh ( Sylvilagus palustris hefneri)

Rice rat (lower FL Keys) ( Oryzomys palustris natator)

Salamander, flatwoods ( Ambystoma cingulatum)

Sea turtle, green (FL, Mexico nesting pops.) ( Chelonia mydas)

Sea turtle, green (except where endangered) ( Chelonia mydas)

Sea turtle, hawksbill ( Eretmochelys imbricata)

Sea turtle, Kemp's ridley ( Lepidochelys kempii)

Sea turtle, leatherback ( Dermochelys coriacea)

Sea turtle, loggerhead ( Caretta caretta)

Seal, Caribbean monk ( Monachus tropicalis)

Shrimp, Squirrel Chimney Cave ( Palaemonetes cummingi)

Skink, bluetail mole ( Eumeces egregius lividus)

Skink, sand ( Neoseps reynoldsi)

Slabshell, Chipola ( Elliptio chipolaensis)

Snail, Stock Island tree ( Orthalicus reses)

Snake, Atlantic salt marsh ( Nerodia clarkii taeniata)

Snake, eastern indigo ( Drymarchon corais couperi)

Sparrow, Cape Sable seaside ( Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis)

Sparrow, Florida grasshopper ( Ammodramus savannarum floridanus)

Stork, wood (AL, FL, GA, SC) ( Mycteria americana)

Sturgeon, Gulf ( Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi)

Sturgeon, shortnose ( Acipenser brevirostrum)

Tern, roseate (Western Hemisphere except NE U.S.) ( Sterna dougallii dougallii)

Three-ridge, fat ( Amblema neislerii)

Vole, Florida salt marsh ( Microtus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli)

Whale, finback ( Balaenoptera physalus)

Whale, humpback ( Megaptera novaeangliae)

Whale, right ( Balaena glacialis)

Woodpecker, red-cockaded ( Picoides borealis)

Woodrat, Key Largo ( Neotoma floridana smalli)

Source: http://www.endangeredspecie.com/states/fl.htm

Mini-Project #2

The Carbon Cycle is defined as the biochemical cycle in which carbon is exchanged through the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere of the Earth. Above is a simplified diagram of how the carbon is exchanged and how the carbon cycle works as a whole.

Carbon is abundant in ocean and sedimentary rock. As soon as the carbon reaches the water, it precipitates and forms calcium carbonate. Through this process corals and algae build up limestone reefs. The built up reefs give creatures a suitable environment for which they live in. Also this gives way for future respiration allowing future exchanges for carbon.

Through photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates which either liberated into the atmosphere or is consumed by animals or decomposed into the soil for future exchanges.

The impact that humans have on the carbon cycle is that humans simply just throw off the entire cycle. By burning fossil fuels, humans release far more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere then the environment naturally releases. This means more demand for plants to convert through photosynthesis. When the demand is not satisfied, there is excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which allows more energy from the sun to reach Earth, but a reduction in how much is released back into space, thus causing global warming.

Jaitegh Singh

Mini-Project #1:

The evironmental organization that I would wish to join is Greenpeace.

Greenpeace was first organized in 1971 in order to go against nuclear testing that was being conducted by the United States in Alaska. The organization was located in Vancouver, Canada. It later segwayed into dealing on environmental issues from across the world. Now Greenpeace is located in over 42 countries across the world is is one of the leading organizations that deal with environmental issues.

Greenpeace's mission official mission statement is as follows:
Greenpeace is a global campaigning organization that acts to change attitudes and behavior, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace by:
Catalyzing an energy revolution to address the number one threat facing our planet: climate change. Defending our oceans by challenging wasteful and destructive fishing, and creating a global network of marine reserves. Protecting the world’s remaining ancient forests and the animal, plants and people that depend on them. Working for disarmament and peace by reducing dependence on finite resources and calling for the elimination of all nuclear weapons. Creating a toxic free future with safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals in today's products and manufacturing. Supporting sustainable agriculture by encouraging socially and ecologically responsible farming practices.

The reasons I chose this particular organization is mostly because of their ability in the past to create awareness regarding serious environmental issues. One cause that I have so passionatly faught for is the preservation of our planet. Sadly enough it is deteriorating as we speak, therefoe we must take action in order to not prolong such deterioration. Greenpeace has done a phenominal job in the past and I do believe they will continue to have success and thus help save planet earth.

Jaitegh Singh