1. POLLUTION AND THE WETLANDS

2. Introduction Seventeen percent of North Carolina’s 5.7 million acres are wetlands. Ninety-five percent of North Carolina’s wetlands are found in the coastal plains. A wetland is part of a watershed (geographic are that drains to a single body of water) or a drainage basin. They are covered by shallow water and have soils waterlogged to the surface. Over time the wetlands have been drained and transformed into industrial facilities, as well as, a use for waste disposal. The wetlands are effected by the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and the hydrosphere. Seventeen percent of North Carolina’s 5.7 million acres are wetlands. Ninety-five percent of North Carolina’s wetlands are found in the coastal plains. A wetland is part of a watershed (geographic are that drains to a single body of water) or a drainage basin. They are covered by shallow water and have soils waterlogged to the surface. Over time the wetlands have been drained and transformed into industrial facilities, as well as, a use for waste disposal. The wetlands are effected by the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and the hydrosphere.

3. Problem What is polluting the Great Dismal Swamp?

4. Invasive Species Erosion causes increases in the amount of inorganic sediment in the water, inviting foreign species of sponge and diatom that need less light to take over water habitats. Erosion causes increases in the amount of inorganic sediment in the water, inviting foreign species of sponge and diatom that need less light to take over water habitats. Asterionella formosa

5. Invasive Species: Fish and Animals Invasive fish, such as the Northern Snakehead, destroy underwater ecosystems. Invasive fish, such as the Northern Snakehead, destroy underwater ecosystems. Animals, such as pets that can no longer be cared for, can become invasive if enough are released. Animals, such as pets that can no longer be cared for, can become invasive if enough are released.

6. Invasive Species: Plant World Plant species such as Purple Loosestrife, Mile-a-Minute, and Tree-of-Heaven displace and destroy native foliage. Plant species such as Purple Loosestrife, Mile-a-Minute, and Tree-of-Heaven displace and destroy native foliage. Even native plants can become invasive. Good examples are sweet gums and maples. Even native plants can become invasive. Good examples are sweet gums and maples. Water plants such as water hyacinth spread quickly and reduce water quality. Water plants such as water hyacinth spread quickly and reduce water quality.

7. Pollution Swamps act as sinkholes, grabbing any contaminants in water and sucking them in. Swamps act as sinkholes, grabbing any contaminants in water and sucking them in. Pollution from sewage, dump sites, spills, and storage areas are problems. Pollution from sewage, dump sites, spills, and storage areas are problems.

8. What is Soil Erosion? * movement of soil particles by wind, gravity, or water

9. Soil Erosion (cont.) Wind & Water Wind & Water Fertilizers & Sediments Fertilizers & Sediments Algae Production Algae Production

10. Cause/Effect Relationships Precipitation Precipitation Erosion Erosion Runoff Runoff

11. Fertilizers Organic Fertilizers Organic Fertilizers Mixed Fertilizers Mixed Fertilizers Chemical Fertilizers Chemical Fertilizers

12. Purpose of Wetlands Protection Protection Soil Soil

13. THE ATMOSPHERE What is the Atmosphere made of?

14. Recycling of Atmospheric Materials The amount of a given substance leaving the atmosphere = the amount of the same substance entering the atmosphere over the same period of time The amount of a given substance leaving the atmosphere = the amount of the same substance entering the atmosphere over the same period of time

15. Atmosphere to other spheres BiosphereAtmosphere BiosphereAtmosphere AtmosphereBiosphere AtmosphereBiosphere AtmosphereLithosphere AtmosphereLithosphere

16. Air Pollutants Reduces lungs functions & causes inflammation Reactions of nitrogen oxides & hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlight Ozone Damages nervous & digestive systems Smelters, Battery PlantsLead Contributes to respiratory problems linked to cancers Factories, power plants, oil refineries, paper mills, volcanoes Particulate Matter (dust, smoke, soot, ash) Irritates respiratory system contributing to acid rain Burning of fossil fuels in power plants, oil refineries, paper mills, volcanoes Sulfur Dioxide Irritates lungs & contributes to acid rain and smog Burning of fossil fuels in power plants & automobiles Nitrogen Dioxide Reduces delivery of oxygen to body tissues; impairs vision reflexes Automobile ExhaustCarbon Monoxide EffectsMajor SourcesAir Pollutant

17. Acid Rain How does Acid Rain form? – –Forms when pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water vapor in the air The resulting acid precipitation can fall as rain or snow

18. Acid Rain (Cont.) Unlike normal rain, which has a pH of 6, Acid Rain has a pH of 5 – –It harms both plant and animal life – –It also harms forest by stripping away vital nutrients from the soil.

19. THE WATER CYCLE  What is the Water Cycle?  What are the processes?  Where does the water go?

20. Contaminated Groundwater Groundwater contamination is any addition of undesirable substances to groundwater by human activities. Groundwater contamination is any addition of undesirable substances to groundwater by human activities. Contaminant sources in urban areas include gas stations, dry cleaners, garbage dumps, snow-disposal dumps, and industrial sites. Contaminant sources in urban areas include gas stations, dry cleaners, garbage dumps, snow-disposal dumps, and industrial sites.

21. RUNOFF RUNOFF Surface runoff is one of the causes of erosion of the earth's surface. Surface runoff is one of the causes of erosion of the earth's surface.erosion It is instead forced directly into streams or storm water runoff drains, where erosion and siltation can be major problems, even when flooding is not. It is instead forced directly into streams or storm water runoff drains, where erosion and siltation can be major problems, even when flooding is not.erosion siltationerosion siltation Increased runoff reduces groundwater recharge, thus lowering the water table and making droughts worse, especially for farmers and others who depend on water wells. Increased runoff reduces groundwater recharge, thus lowering the water table and making droughts worse, especially for farmers and others who depend on water wells. groundwaterwater tabledroughtswater wells groundwaterwater tabledroughtswater wells

22. Floodwater Major storms, such as hurricanes, fill streets with flooded water. Major storms, such as hurricanes, fill streets with flooded water. This will contaminate the water, harming the plants and animals. This will contaminate the water, harming the plants and animals. Humans depend on plants and animals for food. Humans depend on plants and animals for food.

23. Conclusions Our wetlands are affected by many forms of pollution. We need to find ways to prevent, or restrict this. Our wetlands are affected by many forms of pollution. We need to find ways to prevent, or restrict this. We need our wetlands to filter our waters, keep soil in place, and provide fish and game. We need our wetlands to filter our waters, keep soil in place, and provide fish and game.

24. Recommendations Heavy fines on businesses and farms that pollute our wetlands, water, and air. Heavy fines on businesses and farms that pollute our wetlands, water, and air. Plant vegetation in areas where erosion is a problem. Plant vegetation in areas where erosion is a problem. Ensure that boats coming in to port are cleaned of plant matter right away. Ensure that boats coming in to port are cleaned of plant matter right away. Prevent the sale of invasive plants/animals. Prevent the sale of invasive plants/animals. Use prescribed burns to destroy invasive plants and bring back native species. Use prescribed burns to destroy invasive plants and bring back native species.

25. Reflections We learned that Earth System Science involves the interaction between the spheres and that pollution relates to every sphere group. We learned that Earth System Science involves the interaction between the spheres and that pollution relates to every sphere group. We learned that group work is important in Problem Based Learning, and that each person must do their share of the work. One person cannot do all the work. We learned that group work is important in Problem Based Learning, and that each person must do their share of the work. One person cannot do all the work.

26. Bibliography Asterionella Formosa." 13 Aug. 2007. Asterionella Formosa." 13 Aug. 2007. Burdige, Ph.d., David J., Jennifer Slate, Ph.d., Jeremy Hicks (m.s. Student), Melissa Frazier (undergraduate Student), and Sean Donalty (undergraduate Student). "RECENT AND HISTORICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN LAKE DRUMMOND,." Department of Biology, Northeastern Illinois University. 13 Aug. 2007. Burdige, Ph.d., David J., Jennifer Slate, Ph.d., Jeremy Hicks (m.s. Student), Melissa Frazier (undergraduate Student), and Sean Donalty (undergraduate Student). "RECENT AND HISTORICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN LAKE DRUMMOND,." Department of Biology, Northeastern Illinois University. 13 Aug. 2007. Chowan River/Dismal Swamp." Oct. 2005. Chesapeake Bay Foundation. 13 Aug. 2007. Chowan River/Dismal Swamp." Oct. 2005. Chesapeake Bay Foundation. 13 Aug. 2007. Cutting Forests to Benefit Wildlife." U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 13 Aug. 2007. Cutting Forests to Benefit Wildlife." U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 13 Aug. 2007.

27. Bibliography (cont.) FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE: PRESCRIBED BURNS HELP PRESERVE DISMAL SWAMP." The Virginia Pilot. 8 May 1997. The Virginia Pilot. 13 Aug. 2007. FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE: PRESCRIBED BURNS HELP PRESERVE DISMAL SWAMP." The Virginia Pilot. 8 May 1997. The Virginia Pilot. 13 Aug. 2007. Invasive Fish Species." Southeastern Outdoors. Southeastern Outdoors. 13 Aug. 2007. Invasive Fish Species." Southeastern Outdoors. Southeastern Outdoors. 13 Aug. 2007. Kuser, John E., and George Zimmermann. "Restoring Atlantic White-Cedar Swamps: a Review of Techniques for Propagation and Establishment." Restoring Atlantic White-Cedar Swamps: a Review of Techniques for Propagation and Establishment. Summer 1995. 13 Aug. 2007. Kuser, John E., and George Zimmermann. "Restoring Atlantic White-Cedar Swamps: a Review of Techniques for Propagation and Establishment." Restoring Atlantic White-Cedar Swamps: a Review of Techniques for Propagation and Establishment. Summer 1995. 13 Aug. 2007. Reptiles and Amphibians." Smithsonian National Zoological Park. 13 Aug. 2007. Reptiles and Amphibians." Smithsonian National Zoological Park. 13 Aug. 2007. Swearingen, Jil M., and Phil Pannill. "Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group.LEAST WANTED." Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group. 27 June 2006. Plant Conservation Alliance,. 13 Aug. 2007. Swearingen, Jil M., and Phil Pannill. "Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group.LEAST WANTED." Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group. 27 June 2006. Plant Conservation Alliance,. 13 Aug. 2007. "How Acid Rain is Formed." Education, Science, Technology. United Nations Educational,Scintific, and Cultural Organization. 17 Aug. 2007. "How Acid Rain is Formed." Education, Science, Technology. United Nations Educational,Scintific, and Cultural Organization. 17 Aug. 2007.

28. Bibliography (continued) www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp/History.htm www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp/History.htm www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp/History.htm www.soil.ncsu.edu/assist/Wetlands/ www.soil.ncsu.edu/assist/Wetlands/ www.soil.ncsu.edu/assist/Wetlands/ http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/ Watercycle.shtml http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/ Watercycle.shtml http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/ Watercycle.shtml http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/ Watercycle.shtml http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/ottawa/groundwater_e.php http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/ottawa/groundwater_e.php http://geoscape.nrcan.gc.ca/ottawa/groundwater_e.php http://www.clw.csiro.au/cecr/images/groundwater.jpg http://www.clw.csiro.au/cecr/images/groundwater.jpg http://www.clw.csiro.au/cecr/images/groundwater.jpg http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/aquifers http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/aquifers http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/aquifers http://En.Wikipidea.org/wiki/Chemical_fertil. http://En.Wikipidea.org/wiki/Chemical_fertil. http://En.Wikipidea.org/wiki/Chemical_fertil "Acid Rain and Forest Mass: Another Perspective." Terra Daily News About Planet Earth. 14 Oct. 2005. 17 Aug. 2007. "Acid Rain and Forest Mass: Another Perspective." Terra Daily News About Planet Earth. 14 Oct. 2005. 17 Aug. 2007.

29. Bibliography (cont.) www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/glossary/S.ht m www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/glossary/S.ht m www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/glossary/S.ht m www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/glossary/S.ht m www.knowledgebank.lrri.org/glossary/Glossary/O.htm www.knowledgebank.lrri.org/glossary/Glossary/O.htm www.knowledgebank.lrri.org/glossary/Glossary/O.htm www.knowledgebank.lrri.org/glossary/Glossary/M.htm www.knowledgebank.lrri.org/glossary/Glossary/M.htm www.knowledgebank.lrri.org/glossary/Glossary/M.htm www.botany.uwc.ac.za/Envfacts/facts/erosion.htm www.botany.uwc.ac.za/Envfacts/facts/erosion.htm www.botany.uwc.ac.za/Envfacts/facts/erosion.htm www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/shoreline_erosion.html www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/shoreline_erosion.html www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/shoreline_erosion.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoff#_note-2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoff#_note-2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoff#_note-2 "Chowan Basinwide Water Quality." Chowan Basinwide Water Quality. 1997. NC Division of Water Quality. 16 Aug. 2007 "Chowan Basinwide Water Quality." Chowan Basinwide Water Quality. 1997. NC Division of Water Quality. 16 Aug. 2007

30. Acknowledgements Class Instructors: Class Instructors: –Mrs. Fowlkes –Dr. Botti –Dr. Pringle –Dr. Porter –Dr. Rossbach –Mrs. Noble –Ms. Stamper –All the members of our group