Alternative plans for protecting the Amazon

I studied about mercury’s effects in high school. The mercury effect is horrible to me because the mercury is often used these days. If we get too much mercury, we can get Minamata disease, a serious problem in Japan in 1956, which makes people have mental illness and even die. So we try to not use mercury. But many people use mercury without thinking about the problem. Especially in the Amazon, the most serious problem is mercury pollution. Because of that the ecosystem and humans have seriously suffered. We don’t know how much mercury we have, and as time goes by, the mercury brings disease. The mercury in the Amazon comes from gold mining (Ryan, 2006). When gold miners extract the gold, they use the mercury. After extracting, the leftover, which contains the mercury, is thrown into the river and the mercury is oxidized into the methylmercury (Ryan, 2006). After the mercury changes into methylmercury, we can’t distinguish the mercury, so the fishes and Amazon villagers drink the water with the mercury. And they have the high mercury level (Harada et al., 2001). These levels affect not only the present age, but also the next generation, because of contamination. We should not delay making the solution to protect the Amazon. After time passes, more problems will occur and the Amazon will be in a dangerous situation.

To protect the Amazon, we should make alternative plans. The government should stop gold miners from using mercury to decrease the mercury pollution, and should make a limit on gold mining. Finally, they should invest in making other methods for gold mining.

First of all, we should stop gold miners from using the mercury to decrease the mercury pollution. The gold miners don’t think about what will happen after using mercury. So they throw out the leftover into the water. After converting methylmercury, mercury is poisonous and we can’t distribute that, so the fish and villagers drink and use it. Thus, the villagers take the mercury from eating fish and water. According to Homewood, “a doctor based in the city of Santarem, analysed the amount of mercury in hairs from 20 members of a nearby riverside community. The World Health Organization’s safety limit for mercury is two micrograms per gram of hair. All 20 people were over the safe limit. Levels in some, including a child of 16 months, were more than three times over the limit. The mercury almost certainly came from contaminated fish. 'The people examined are a riverside community who have nothing to do with gold-miners. They eat fish for lunch, fish for dinner and fish for breakfast,' said Branches” (1991, para. 2). Mercury contaminates our bodies and doesn’t go outside. If we take too much mercury, the mercury makes a central nerve problem. The mercury that goes to the brain kills brain cells and then the brain can’t work. In the case of the children, they can’t develop their language. People can get acquired quadriplegia and weakened muscles because of mercury. Ryan (2006) wrote that the amount of mercury in the river was found to be unchanged at 50km and 400km from the mining site. It is dangerous because the mercury pollution can occur not only near the Amazon, but also in distant areas from the Amazon. Using lots of mercury makes dangerous situations. So the government makes the law to prohibit using mercury for all people.

Second, the government should make a limit on gold mining. Both gold miners and the government is responsible for mercury pollution. In the article from Brazil Gold Mining and Environment, according to Brett D. Schaefer (n.d., para. 27), “Brazil has a responsibility to its citizens to protect them from mercury poisoning that can currently result from drinking water or eating fish from the Amazon.” If the government restricted the amount of gold mining, the gold miners would use the mercury less than now. According to Ryan (2006, para. 2), “the rate of production of Gold equals the rate of production for Mercury.” This statement tells us the relationship between mercury and gold mining. The gold mining harms the Amazon, so autopurification can’t occur, so pollution can’t be solved. For example, to gain the gold the gold miners bump the Amazon, because they need the dust, not the ore.
Finally, the government should invest in making other methods for gold mining. They should invest in making chemicals to stop using mercury. Now, what we mainly find is degrading the mercury. In the Amazon, too much mercury existed so we need the method of decreasing the mercury. For example, in “Science Daily”, the lead author, Reed Harris of Tetra Tech, and co-author, Dr. Andrew Heyes of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, state, “by adding stable mercury isotopes to an entire ecosystem for several years, our team was able to zero in on the effects of changing atmospheric mercury deposition. Using the stable isotope approach has revealed a great deal about the cycling mercury in watersheds. We look forward to continuing our study to provide guidance in mitigating the legacy left by the years of high mercury deposition” (2007, para. 2,3).

Furthermore, we need methods of extracting gold. For example, using chlorination can separate the gold from the gold ore. If the chlorination gas is put to the melting gold, we can get the pure gold. According to the Ehow education editor (2007), “in third step, use hard rock mining when the gold is encased in rock instead of being in loose sediment. This can be done in an open pit or underground. Most of the gold in the world is mined with these methods. In fourth step, extract the gold with cyanide. If the ore contains small particles of gold, grind the ore into a powder and add cyanide. The gold cyanide solution can then be separated from the rock. Add zinc to the solution to precipitate out the heavy metals. Add sulfuric acid to remove the zinc. The resulting gold sludge can then be smelted and refined to a high purity” (para. 4,5). We can get the gold without using mercury. Even If the other method is more expensive than using mercury,
we should choose the other method. Protecting the environment and humans is more valuable than money.

Some people argue that improving Brazil’s competitive power is more important than protecting the Amazon. To solve the foreign currency problem, Brazil should permit unlimited gold mining. According to Amazongis, “in Brazil, rainforest cities like Manaus have grown and industrial projects like commercial gold and bauxite mining have been established, all of which has greatly increased energy demands” (n.d., para. 2). But protecting Amazon, by limiting gold mining can develop the Brazil by the tourist industry. They should think about the future. If Brazil admits a large quantitiy of gold mining to make a high state economy, they will have a more serious problem with humans and ecosystem like getting the mercury disease.

In conclusion, we should protect the Amazon for human and environment. To protect the Amazon we should find the solution to the gold mining problem. The government should prohibit gold miners from using mercury to prevent ecosystem and Amazon villagers damaging from mercury and they also find the program about degrading existent mercury pollution. They should make a limit on gold mining because there is relation between the proportion of gold mining and the proportion of mercury pollution. Brazil should invest in the making the methods of extracting the gold from gold ore. There are many methods to extract the gold. Even though other methods are more expensive, they should consider which one is really important to them.

Refrence

Amazongis (n.d.). Amazon conservaion and development issues. www.amazongis.org. Retrieved November 25, 2007 from http://amazongis.org/oldsite/Pages/Development.html

Ehow Education Editor (November 29, 2007). How to obtain gold. www.ehow.com. Retrieved November 25, 2007 from http://www.ehow.com/how_2064345_obtain-gold.html


Harada et al. (2001, October 27). Mercury pollution in the Tapajos River basin, Amazon: mercury level o f head hair and health effects. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/. Retrieved November 03, 2007 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=11686639&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=google


Homewood, B. (1991, November 09). Mercury poisoning confirmed among Amazon villagers. Newscientist.com. Retrieved October 29, 2007 from http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg13217941.800&print=true


Ryan, F. (2006). The Amazon rain forest. web.mit.edu/. Retrieved November 4, 2007 from http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2006/teams/furness/mercury.html

Schaefer, B. (n.d.). Brazil Gold Mining and Environment (BRAGOLD Case) www.American.edu. retrieved from November 29, 2007 from http://www.american.edu/projects/mandala/TED/bragold.htm

ScienceDaily (2007, September 18). Mercury concentrations in fish respond quickly to increased mercury pollution. www.sciencedaily.com. Retrieved November 4, 2007 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070917172933.htm

we should make the counterplan

I studied about mercury's effects in high school. I learned about Minamata disease, which made people have mental illness and even die. So we try to not use mercury. But many people use mercury without thinking about the problem. Especially in the Amazon, the most serious problem is mercury pollution. Because of that, the ecosystem and humans have seriously suffered. We don't know how much mercury we have, and as time goes by, the mercury brings disease. Most of the mercury in the Amazon comes from gold mining (Ryan.2006). When gold miners extract the gold, they use mercury. After extracting, the leftover, which contains the mercury, is thrown into the river, and the mercury is oxidized into the methymercury., so the fish and Amazon villagers drink the water with the mercury. And they have a high mercury level (Harada, et al. 2001). These levels affect not only the present age, but also the next generation, because of contaminaion. We should not delay solving the mercury problem. After time passes, more problems will occur and the Amazon will be in a dangerous situation.

To solve the mercury problem, we should make and alternative plan. If we neglect the problem, we can face the second Minamata disease incident.

First of all, we should stop gold miners from using the mercury. The gold miners don't think about what will happen after using mercury. So they throw out the leftover into the water. If the mercury is in the water, the mercury turns into the methylmercury. The methylmercury is poisonous and we can't distribute that, so the fish and humans drink and use it. When the Amazon villagers boil the water with mercury, the possibility of death is high because mercury vapor makes people's skin melt. Flowing mercury into the water is the most dangerous. So we should prevent the gold miners from using the mercury.

Second, we should restrict the amount of the gold mining. Unrestricted gold mining makes mercury pollution. It there are limits on gold mining, using mercury also will decrease. And gold mining harms the Amazon, so the autopurification can't occur, so pollution can't be removed. For example, to gain the gold the gold miners bump the Amazon because they need the dust, not the ore. Therefore they destroy the forest of the Amazon. If there is a restriction on gold mining, we not only decrease the use of mercury, but also protect the Amazon.

Finally, we should use lots of resources to find another method. They could invest in the making of a chemical to stop using mercury. For example, using chlorination can separate the gold from the gold ore. If the chlorination gas is put into the melting gold, we can get pure gold. Another method is using gold cyanide liquid. If the oxygen goes into the liquid, the gold separates from the liquid. In this way, we can find another method and we can't harm the people and environment.

Some people argue that improving Brazil’s competitive power is more important than protecting the Amazon. To solve the foreign currency problem, Brazil should permit unlimited gold mining. But protecting Amazon, by limiting gold mining can develop Brazil by the tourist industry. They should think about the future. If Brazil admits a large quantitiy of gold mining to make a high state economy, they will have a more serious problem on humans and ecosystem like getting the mercury disease.

In conclusion, we should stop gold miners from using the mercury. And we should restrict the amount of the gold mining and use lots of resources to find another method. Not using mercury is good for both ecosystem and humans. No more using mercury can prevent the spreading mercury's effect.

Reference

Coghlan, A. (1994, March 12). Midas touch could end Amazon's pollution. Newscientist. com. Retrieved October 23, 2007, from http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg14119161.500&print=true

Harada et al. (2001, October 27). Mercury pollution in the Tapajos River basin, Amazon: mercury level o f head hair and health effects. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ Retrieved November 03, 2007 from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=11686639&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=google

Ryan, F.(2006). The Amazon rain forest. web.mit.edu/ Retrieved November 4, 2007 from http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2006/teams/furness/mercury.html

Wal-Mart

Wal-mart is the biggest market in the U.S. Wal-Mart not only earns lots of money, but also pays lots of tax. According to USA Today (2003, par.1), “Wal-Mart’s influence on the U.S. economy has reached levels not seen by a single company since the 19th-century rise of Standard Oil, economists and historians say.” Wal-mart is good for both people and economy.

Wal-Mart should be founded in the Carbondale-Murphysboro area.

First, Wal-Mart will develop the Carbondale-Murphysboro area. This area is underdeveloped and should be developed for villagers who live in Carbondale-Murphysboro. The Wal-Mart is the origin of development. If there is Wal-Mart, other convenient facilities will exist. As many people pass by the Wal-Mart, a floating population increases, then other facilities are also inaugurated. Therefore, the villagers can get goods easily.

Second, the employment rate of the area will increase. The Wal-Mart will offer lots of jobs to people. This little area like Carbondale-Murphysboro has few jobs. So villagers have less opportunity of getting jobs than in developed areas. According to Locke (2004), “Wal-Mart created 125,000 U.S. jobs, and is continuously adding thousands each month” (par.7). The Wal-Mart Hill help to increase the employment rate.

Finally, the residents can get goods at low prices. Wal-Mart sells the goods at low prices so many people have less financial burden . A family can save about $2000 per year (Hoenig, 2004). The Wal-Mart takes less money from us and pays lots of tax. Buying goods at the Wal-Mart can make this area developed. R. Auxier (2005) said Murphysboro could not solve its financial problem by taking the tax from Wal-Mart. However, I think that doing something is better than doing nothing. Murphysboro is doing well. They know their problem and by choosing the Wal-Mart, they solve the problem.

In conclusión, by building the Wal-Mart, Murphysboro can develop the area, increase the employment rate, and help dwellers buy the goods cheaply. Murphysboro can get many profits if they build the Wal-Mart.

Reference

Hoeing, J. (2006, Feb 10). Welcome Wal-Mart. www.capmag.com. Retrieved November 26, 2007 from http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4561

Locke, E. (2004, Feb 22). Three cheers for Wal-Mart. www.capmag.com. Retrieved November 26, 2007 from http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=3534

Jacobs, N. (2005, April). Local opposition to future Wal-Mart Supercenter in Murphysboro. www.dailyegyptian.com. Retrieved November 26, 2007 from http://newshound.de.siu.edu/spring05/stories/storyReader$858

USA Today (2003, Jan). Wal-Mart influence grows. www.usatoday.com. Retrieved November 26, 2007 from http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2003-01-28-walmartnation_x.htm

The government should make the counterplan

In the Newscientist.com (1991) article, “Mercury poisoning confirmed among Amazon villagers”, the author said that the residents along the Amazon suffered from mercury contamination. Branches, who is a doctor in Santarem, found out that Amazon villagers are over the limit of mercury safety, because of contaminated fish which live in the Amazon and inhale the mercury. For example, people have two micrograms per gram of hair, but Amazon residents have more than average people. In case of babies, they have three times more than other babies who don’t live in the Amazon. Branches said that as time goes by the patients who have been treated for mercury were increased. The team of Para Federal University, which investigates with Imperial College, also discovered that lots of mercury was thrown by gold miners and the people inhaled the mercury vapor. The gold miners, Brazil said, get the silt and extract the gold using the mercury. After doing that, the leftover silt is dumped by the gold miners. Almost all gold miners are in an area of the Tapajos river, the Madeira, and near Venezuela.

The government should make the counterplan.

First, the government should stop using the mercury. If the mercury is in the ground, it doesn’t matter. However, if the mercury is in the water, the mercury turns into the methyl mercury. The methyl mercury is harmful to our body and the methyl mercury which is in the fish never goes out so, the mercury accumulates more and more. After eating the fish, we have disease or we can die.

Second, the government should establish a limit on gold mining. If there is a limit, the gold miners can use the mercury less than before. Thus, the addiction to the mercury decreases. If the government lets the gold miners do the same, the more
problems will occur.

Finally, the government should make other methods to degrade the mercury. They should in invest making chemicals to stop using mercury. For example, using chlorination can separate the gold from the gold ore. If the chlorination gas is put to the melting gold, we can get the pure gold. In this way, we can find the other methods and we won’t harm the people or the environment.

In conclusion, the government should arrange a limit on gold mining, stop the gold miner’s use of mercury, and find an other method ot extract gold. We should protect the environment and people.

Reference
Homewood, B.(1991, November 09). Mercury poisoning confirmed among Amazon villagers. Newscientist.com. Retrieved October 29, 2007 from http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg13217941.800&print=true

The damage from mercury pollution

In the Newscientist.com (1994) article, “Midas touch could end Amazon’s pollution” the author said that gold businessmen gathered a lot of gold from deposits of the River Amazon using the mercury which captures the gold. However, about 1200 tons of mercury flew to the local river and made people get a disease like mental retardation and miscarriage. And people who lived near that river and ate the fish from the river accumulated the mercury, and they are in a dangerous condition. To prevent discharging the mercury, consultants of the Imperial College designed two devices. One uses the gravity trap in which slats are made in layers and the mercury is deposited in those. The other preventsmercury from becoming vapor. When the gold is separated from mercury, the mercury goes into the air. So, the device makes the mercury concentrated and liquid.

The mercury causes potential damage. So we should know what kind of problem mercury makes and then we should try to prevent the discharging of the mercury.

First, the mercury damages the ecosystem. For example, in the 1900s, the Minamata-Bay of Japan experienced a situation in which the water turned to black because the crab and fish were addicted to the mercury and died. Besides, the animal like crow and cat ate the fish which is addicted the mercury. And then they went mad and died. Like this situation, the ecosystem connects its residents to each other. So, we should care about the food chain. Flowing mercury kills the ecosystem

Second, the mercury makes pregnant women easily abort. This situation occurs like the food chain. The women who becomes pregnant take the mercury; the mercury affects on the unbornbabies. The unbornbabies aren’t complete and they are so weak that they can easily die from the mercury. If the pregnant women bear the baby, the possibility of bearing a deformed child is high.

Finally, the mercury makes a central nerve problem. The mercury that goes to the brain kills the brain cells. If the situation occurs for a long time, the brain can’t work. And the children can’t develop their language, and then they have problem with social skill because of language trouble. People can get acquired quadriplegia and weakened muscles.

In conclusion, the mercury harms the ecosystem because the addicted animal has disease, and it makes a pregnant woman abort, as the unbornbabies is made weak. The mercury makes people have a central nerve problem, and then people get an acquired disease.

Reference

Coghlan, A. (1994, March 12). Midas touch could end Amazon’s pollution. Newscientist.com. Retrieved October 23, 2007, from http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg14119161.500&print=true

How to deal with the global warming

In the Newscientist.com (2004) article, “Global warming threatens millions of species” it said that the animate will face extinction because of global warming. According to in the article, Thomas states that the species will find suitable places to move their habitat. However, those places may be too small for many species to live in, so they can be exterminated. Pimm refers to the fact that humans destroy lots of natural resources, so global warming occurs.

It is a fact that living things become extinct because of global warming. As time goes by, the earth gets hot, so we have more summer. We should think about how to prevent global warming.

First, we should try to protect the environment. We develop the machines without considering the environment. For example, air conditioner and refrigerator are made just for convenience, and then they destroy the atmosphere. If we don't consider the environment, we can lose our habitat.

Second, we should use the energy effectively. As we use the energy, we create the greenhouse gases that destroy the ozone layer. So, saving energy can make the global warming more slow-going.

Finally, we should plant trees. Global warming is caused by carbon dioxide, whereas the tree inhales the carbon dioxide. Thus if we have lots of trees, we can get more oxygen and then we can prevent global warming.

In conclusion, To slow down the global warming, we should develop environmental devices, use the energy effectively, and plant lots of trees. We should take care of our environment to live.

Reference

Bhattacharya, S. (2004, January 7). Global warming threatens millions of species. Newscientist.com. Retrieved October 16, 2007, from http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4545&print=true

Controlling crime

Controlling crime


In the video, a man goes to the market to rob the money. But the master of market isn’t scary and take action to fight with robbery. So robbery is shocked and run away. In my case, I don’t commit the crime because of internal and external controls. I think committing the crime is wrong behavior and I don’t want to pay the fine.

1.What is the crime?

Robbing

2.Why is the criminal not successful?

The master is so bravery and take action to fight with him.

3.What controls deter you from committing this crime?

Internal and external controls

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