L121 - Assignment 4

Global Distribution of Pollutants

Due Date:

For MWF L121 class, please hand in during class on Wednesday, October 16, 2002

          For T Th L121 class, please hand in during class on Thursday, October 17, 2002

NOTE: WE ARE NO LONGER FOLLOWING THE SYLLABUS EXACTLY...PLEASE FOLLOW THE STUDY GUIDES IN EACH OF THESE ASSIGNMENTS

STUDY GUIDE FOR CHAPTERS 7 (all sections; we've discussed most of this already so it should be a review) AND 10 (all):

After reading the chapter, you should be able to answer the questions listed on page 160 and 225 (test yourself…you are NOT required to hand in the responses to these questions). 

Concepts you should know: 
Ecological Succession
How may species diversity influence ecosystem stability
Dose and Response Curves
Chemical and Biological Hazards
Risk Analysis  

ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS CHAPTER  

L121 Assignment 4

1. Toxaphene, a synthetic organic insecticide, is/was sprayed on cotton to prevent infestation by certain pests (in this country and many other countries where cotton is grown).  Toxaphene is a relatively volatile compound which means it may evaporate from its liquid state soon after its application and be transferred to the air.   Moreover, toxaphene can also run-off from cotton fields and end up in receiving waters like ponds, streams, rivers, estuaries, etc.

Many scientists have analyzed for the presence of toxaphene in seawater because it is hypothesized by some scientists to be a 'hormone disruptor' (See page 231 of your text).  Below are the levels (or concentrations) of toxaphene from numerous locations in the East Pacific Ocean.  The latitude where the water was collected is given in the second column.

Using EXCEL or similar spreadsheet/graphing software, construct an "x-y (scatter)" graph (NOT A BAR GRAPH AS IN ASSIGNMENT 2) that would present the data below.  Plot the "Concentration of toxaphene" on the y-axis versus "Degree North Latitude" on the x-axis.  Explain the overall trend you observe with this data set.  Toxaphene was used heavily in areas around the equator (0 to 30 degrees north latitude) so why do you end up with a graph like the one you just produced?  (Section 6-1 from Chapter 6 may be helpful in explaining some of this).  Think of as many possible explanations as you can.

2. a)  In your own words, what is meant by "risk assessment"?

    b)  What are five major risks you face from:

            i) your lifestyle, and

            ii) where you live.

    c)  For part b, identify which of these risks are voluntary and which are involuntary.

    d)  For each risk in part b, what can you do to "reduce the risk".

3.  Read "The Big Killer" on page 224.  One of the recommendations is to classify nicotine as an addictive and dangerous drug thereby placing the  use of tobacco products under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration.  Ultimately, the 'drug' would be regulated and supplied by prescription only.  Do you think this would be an effective means to reduce the death toll and health effects of smoking in the US (explain your answer)?  Would you like to see this happen (explain your answer)?