Essays and Research Papers on Environmental Issues & Ecology

The Nitrogen Cycle: This 5-page essay examines issues relevant to this critical element, how Man has tampered to the Earth’s detriment to increase its availability, and the ramifications of his interference. In addition, future resolutions to these problems are discussed in detail. Bibliography lists 4 sources. SNNitrog.doc

A hazardous material may be defined as a substance capable of creating harm to people, property, and the environment. This 13 page paper critically examines the statement, "In an increasingly complex industrial society simplifying hazardous material assessment will encourage non specialists to make assessments beyond their competence and therefore actually increase risk or cause unjustified additional expenditure on controls"; concluding ...

A 17 page overview of the natural resources of the state of Kentucky. Provides a broad overview of the types of minerals which exists in the state and emphasizes that mining, while necessary to the economy and energy needs of the state, can have tremendous environmental impacts. Summarizes the importance and impact of ...

18 pages in length. The 1980's presented the perfect scenario with regard to the economic and political relationship to the oil market. Depending upon one's interpretation of which direction the oil market was heading during that time, various approaches were taken in relation to its final and stabilizing outcome. Indeed, this particular ...

There are now more than six billion people residing on the planet earth. This 8 page paper provides a tutorial for the student wishing to address the effects of overpopulation on a global as well as an individual level. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A paper which looks at the concept of sustainable development in comparison to other development models, in terms of the interaction between economic, cultural and environmental issues and the way in which all three elements form the basis for programmes based on the concept of sustainability.

Fly Tipping and Development; This 10 page paper considers two issues. The writer first looks at a case where a company has bought land were fly tipping (illegal waste dumping) has taken place. The writer looks at the actions that need to be taken to clean the land including the legal and the practical implications., ...

This 6 page paper provides an overview of air pollution in China, and its devastating effects. Whether or not the nation is doing enough to resolve the problem, and protect future generations, is discussed. Effects on humans, and fetal health in particular, are examined. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 24 page overview of the environmental phenomena known as acid rain noting that this form of pollution has had a tremendous impact on the ecology of our natural areas, geologic integrity, and more anthropomorphic concerns as agriculture and construction issues. Reports on the initial discovery of acid rain in 1872 and details the ...

A 12 page overview of the far reaching effects of dioxins such as chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs), chlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Notes that although some dioxins are produced naturally, many are produced as pollutants from industrial applications and such activities as the incineration of waste products. Outlines the impacts of these ...

A six page paper which looks at the way in which the environmental policies of the European Union have changed and developed since the 1970s, the extent to which the concept of sustainability has been incorporated into Environmental Action Programmes, and the ways in which anti-pollution measures in the UK have reflected the aims and ...

This 6 page paper provides an overview in respect to the problem of Canada Geese. The overpopulation of the species and the dilemmas they cause for humans is outlined. Several methods of control are explored in depth, including some humane solutions. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 6 page paper focuses on the temperate evergreen forest and explains where they are found. Information on climate, flora, and fauna is included. Environmental concerns and problems are duly noted. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 6 page report discusses the most basic aspects of Henry David Thoreau (1817-62) and the two years he spent at a crude cottage beside Walden Pond, a small body of water outside Concord, Massachusetts. Walden is essentially a daily account of his stay in the woods, of which he wrote, “Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make ...

In 1976 two hundred and twenty two people all came down with the same malady from a previously unidentified bacteria and 34 of those people died. This 10 page paper presents an overview of Legionnaire's disease that includes a briefing for nursing staff and a technical briefing for control in occupational settings, including hospitals. Bibliography lists 10 sources. ...

This 10 page paper examines the way that weapons technology and development has adversely impacted on the environment and human life. Weapons include nuclear and atomic, nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The papers considers the financial costs as well as environmental and social costs, using examples such as the Hanford Nuclear plant clean-up, anthrax ...

This 11 page paper provides an overview of cadmium, what it is, where it is found and how it affects the health of human beings. Some animal studies are cited which speculates about additional implications. Practical information is also given on how people can protect themselves from this natural menace. Bibliography lists ...

This 5 page report discusses Cape Town as a valuable cultural, recreational, and entertaining vacation destination. The Cape Peninsula, the southern Western Cape Province, and the city itself make up one of the six “recognized floral kingdoms” of the world. As such, any garden enthusiast will enjoy the most botanically prolific of all the floral kingdoms with its nearly 9,000 plant ...

It's a crisis. This 5 page paper is based on the premise that a full understanding of the basic principles of ecology is necessary in order to understand the environmental crisis. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

5 pages in length. California's Imperial Valley provides an incredible amount of food for the rest of the country, as well as the rest of the world. Its inherent diversity of products serves as its primary appeal, while climate, environment and culture play essential roles in cultivating that diversity. However, recent years ...

This 5 page report discusses Mount Saint Helens in the Cascade Range in Washington State, a volcano that had been dormant since 1857, which erupted on May 18, 1980. The report focuses on geological aspects of the eruption. Over the past two decades, Mount Saint Helen as proven itself to be one of the best opportunities for modern scientist ...

This 5 page report discusses the fact that state officials in Wisconsin are well aware that wetlands have important value in both ecological and hydrologic terms. Wetlands furnish fundamental habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals and also improve overall water quality through trapping sediment, lowering nutrients and reducing contaminants. Unique legislation in Wisconsin has been enacted to assure ...

A six page paper which considers the difficulties of reconciling economic development with industrialisation, environmental issues and the maintenance of local and global culture, and suggests the concept of sustainable development as a potential solution. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

9 pages in length. The writer discusses how alternative energy options prove to beneficially impact the environment. Bibliography lists 12 sources.

This 5 page paper takes the form of a fictitious interview with an official from a charity working to provide food in the third world. The paper outlines some of the causes of hunger, the problems with food distribution, the impact of population growth and the potential of genetic engineering as a long term solution ...