Abstract The paper looks at the Viking landing missions on Mars twenty years ago and their tests for biological processes on the Martian surface. It looks at how a recent series of orbiting Martian missions has yielded a good deal of chemical and geographic observations from afar. The most exciting possibilities have come from the analysis and interpretation of Martian surface formations seen by these missions. The paper includes a detailed description of these formations such as outflow channels, seepage gullies and several others. In further searches for definitive findings, several missions in the near future will land on Mars and hopefully provide the best data yet. This paper details some of the discoveries made to date, the strongest arguments for water on Mars and what the future holds for Martian exploration.
From the Paper "The thought of life on Mars has intrigued humans for centuries. As Martian astronomy has made incredible leaps in the past 100 years and many spectacular discoveries have been made, we are still not sure if life does or has ever existed on Mars. Over the last thirty years, as our knowledge of biological functions has increased, scientists have focused more and more on the existence of liquid water as the biggest single indicator of possible life. To that end, much work and controversy has surrounded man's efforts to find evidence of that all important ingredient for the development of life on Mars."
Abstract This paper discusses the different kinds of coral reefs that exist. The author explains the various ways that coral reefs are formed, along with the factors that contribute to the growth of coral reefs. In addition, the author also analyzes the various theories centering around the formation of coral reefs.
From the Paper "There are three different types of reefs. These are the fringing reef, the barrier reef, and the atoll. The fringing reef is a coral reef that attaches to the margins of islands and conti"nents. It consists of several types of corals without any predomi"nant type. It is surrounded by a few corals that are separated from the island or continent by areas of sand. The fringing reef forms an area along the shore and along the margins of the island where colonies of coral can grow. These reefs begin to grow below the low water mark and extend seaward. The fringing reef is always attached to the margin of the island or continent, and the edge lying sea?ward is not separated from the main land by a lagoon."
Abstract This paper is on the Wetlands and the effects civilization is having on them. The author contends that there exists a need for action, through the use of education, and federal/ locally sponsored programs. He fears that without major steps, and an increase in federal protection, we may reach a point at which we are too late, and serious damage to the Wetlands will be done.
From the Paper "Wetlands" is the collective term for marshes, swamps, bogs, and similar areas found in generally flat vegetated areas, in depressions in the landscape, and between dry land and water along the edges of streams, rivers, lakes, and coastlines. Because they are so varied, wetlands can be difficult to recognize. Many have been altered by human activities such as farming, ranching, and the building of roads, dams, and towns. Yet their importance is critical is the proper functioning and balance of our many ecosystems."
Abstract This paper examines the Big Bang theory, and how the planet Earth is thought to have come about. The author discusses how if life on Earth was created via the Big Bang, could not humans expect to find intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, created in the same manner? The paper looks at whether humans have the technology to discover possible extraterrestrial life.
From the Paper "Should we as humans expect to find intelligent life elsewhere in the universe? There are many reasons for and against this concept, but first we should trace just how our terrestrial life started. The beginning of time and the universe began with the Big Bang. This was an explosion that started the expansion of the universe. In the most basic sense, the standard model is simply the idea that every bit of the matter and energy in the universe was once compressed to an unimaginable density. In the big bang, the material exploded outward into the formation of matter that we see today."
Abstract This paper discusses The Red Planet, Mars. The author examines the conditions, life, and gives detailed information about the planet's atmosphere and its two moons. The paper also looks at the possibility of life surviving on Mars' desert-like environment.
From the Paper "Mars, it is the fourth planet from the sun. It is closet planet to the planet that we live on. Mars is the planet with more solar exploration than any other planet in our universe. Mars is the one planet that has an atmosphere similar to ours. Mercury, Venus, and Pluto have had all of their atmospheres burned off and Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all have atmospheres that are hundreds of time more violent than the calm atmospheres of Earth and Mars. Mars is also the only planet in which we have identified that there was once water on the surface of the planet. We have discovered huge canyons that resemble the ones on Earth. This is also the reason why we believe that the Red Planet might have once had or still does have life on it."
Abstract This paper examines the affects of global warming by utilizing extensive data to support the argument that global warming is a serious issue. This paper argues that he current global warming trend can be halted, but it will take the collaborative efforts of everyone to gradually phase out fossil fuels and replace them with alternative energy sources.
From the Paper "Imagine that you own a piece of beachfront property on the beautiful coast of North Carolina. The house has been in your family for years and you plan on passing it down to your children. In fifty years the ocean will have slowly crept more than halfway up the beach. Every high tide, waves pummel the pilings that support the entire weight of the house. Hurricanes have also become much more frequent and far more powerful. You begin to worry that if this continues, eventually the house will succumb to the forces of nature and crash into the sea. The following year, a devastating class Five hurricane wipes out every home on the beach. All that remains of your once beautiful vacation home is a concrete ..."
Abstract This paper discusses how climate governs the entire ecological structure of the planet earth. The author examines how climate, in relation to the topography and latitudinal location, determines the vegetative types, the hydrology, soil, agriculture and various human activities.
From the Paper ?Climate represents a long term average of various weather features such as temperature and precipitation. The World Meteorological Organization uses 30-year averages to define climatological "normals" for these various features. Climate determines how resources such as water and vegetation are distributed and, until the onset of technology, climate also determined where people lived and worked. Many factors, such as topography, proximity to large bodies of water, and latitude affect a particular location's long-term climate. It is important to note that because a region's climatology is a 30-year average, significant year to year variability is likely. For example, a particular location may have a dry, warm winter one year and a record snowfall the next year.?
Abstract This paper defines what global warming is and gives an in depth analysis of its long term affect. It describes what we can expect if the temperature of the Earth continues to rise. Between flooding and coastal erosion, severe weather, disease, loss of farming, hunting and grazing land and the loss of inhabitable territory, the very existence of the human race would be threatened. Although we do not expect to feel the effects for at least another 200 years, examples of natural disasters in recent history are linked to possible effects of global warming.
From the Paper "Scientific speculations about the possibility of global warming have been ongoing for years. During the last two decades, the truth about global warming was frequently called into question, and hotly debated. Conservatives, big business, and even many well-intentioned and intelligent scientists all proclaimed such scientific prophecies to be at best an error in computation, or at worst outright deception. Many condemned the prophecies as just another attempt by radical anti-technology, anti-human environmentalist-wackos to stifle everyone's fun."
Abstract "The earth has evolved in geologic terms, but it has also evolved in terms of the life that teems upon it. All the change that can be seen and inferred has to be explained. The argument in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was divided into two camps, the catastrophists and the uniformitarianists.
From the Paper "The earth has evolved in geologic terms, but it has also evolved in terms of the life that teems upon it. All the change that can be seen and inferred has to be explained. The argument in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was divided into two camps, the catastrophists and the uniformitarianists. The catastrophists explained the changes by resorting to cosmic violence, to a succession of catastrophes that bring about change suddenly. The uniformitarianists saw the earth evolving in a uniform manner over time. Both groups agreed that catastrophes do play a role in the evolution of the earth and that catastrophes still occur to reshape portions of the earth's surface or to bring about biological changes in a relatively short time. However, this is different from holding that a ..."
Abstract This essay discusses the effects that human population growth has on the earth and the environment. As population increases, life sustaining resources are often depleted. Paul Ehrlich, Paul Harrison and Julian L. Simon shine significant light of varying perspectives and theoretical insight on these dark and ominous clouds of modern human forecast. The paper examines how, in three very diverse and distinguishable articles, they discuss the effects that population growth, environmental degradation and resource depletion will have on the environment and the future of human subsistence.
From the Paper "Malthusians and Neo-Malthusians tend to regard environmental degradation as a direct result of human population growth. Ehrlich believes that while human population manifests itself in the form of food shortage and starvation in under-developed countries, it also triggers "environmental deterioration" in more industrialized nations (Ehrlich 35). Harrison sees a decrease in population growth as the only formidable solution to environmental deterioration. He views humans as naturally destructive, and he feels that a depletion of this naturally negative force will eventually promote a more sound environment. Cornucopians like Julian Simon, however, believe that increased human population will produce more humans capable of solving problems attributed to population expansion. He suggests that humans are not the end, but the means."
Abstract This paper describes what the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge actually is. It covers the pros and cons of drilling for oil in the refuge from political, economical, religious perspectives. It gives the writer's opinion on the topic, which is NOT to drill in the refuge. It then gives alternative ideas to drilling and backs them up with facts from credible sources like the U.S. Geological Survey.
From the Paper "An environmental masterpiece to be preserved, or an economic opportunity waiting to be tapped? This is the debate that has been persistent around the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for over 40 years. It is also a mainstream argument for many environmental philosophies. Pro-drilling advocates tend to take on Judeo-Christian beliefs, while anti-drilling organizations stick with conservation or preservationist values. These two groups portray their views over the internet using many types of representation, false or not, to convince readers their position is correct. Both sides have their pros and cons, but my opinion on the topic is that drilling for oil in the ANWR is a poor idea due to inevitable environmental complications."
Abstract The paper describes the geology of the moon as determined by samples brought back from the moon and gravitational and magnetic studies carried out by the Apollo and Lunar Prospector missions. It describes the types of minerals found on the moon, and how the various geologic features were formed.
Abstract This paper presents an analysis of North Carolina 's erosion of sand dunes. The author examines the causes and solutions to the problem and provides a brief overview of how sand dunes are formed.
From the Paper "The erosion of North Carolina's sand dunes causes definite and easily recognizable problems for North Carolina's coastal communities. The erosion of sand dunes and beaches from North Carolina's barrier islands and mainland coast causes problems for residential and commercial developments, which rely on these dunes and beaches for protection against storm surges. While hurricanes and strong storms have been few this year, in past years these storms have devastated coastal communities with flooding and strong winds, causing tens of millions of dollars in damage in the past decade. (Orrin 142) The best prevention against damage to homes and businesses is the protection and replenishment of sand dunes. It is important to remember that ?nature maintains the dynamic equilibrium of the beaches through the unceasing trade of four factors.? These factors are material, energy, shape, and sea level. (Kaufman 15) Dune erosion is a major problem for North Carolina coastal communities, but new preservation methods and building codes cause less damage to dunes and homes and allow damaged dunes to be repaired or replenished."
Abstract This paper looks at the economic and environmental effects of the Hurricane Andrew, comparing it to other hurricanes throughout the United States.
From the Paper In August of 1992, hurricane Andrew swept through Florida and Louisiana causing more than 26 billion dollars in damage and claiming the lives of more than 60 people. Hurricane Andrew was by no means the largest hurricane to hit the United States, but what it lacked in size it made up for tenfold in power, making hurricane Andrew the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history ("Florida", Encarta Online; Rappaport).
Abstract This paper addresses where the world's water sources are located, what classes of contaminants are found in drinking water, how it is processed to become safe for human consumption, and lastly, special attention is given to the problem of lead in drinking water.
From the Paper "The type of water we generally use in human activities is freshwater. Only 3% of the world's water supply is freshwater and two-thirds of that is frozen, forming the polar ice caps, glaciers, and icebergs. The remaining 1% of the total world water supply is freshwater available as either surface water or ground water; ground water accounts for two-thirds of this amount. Surface water is water that is visible above the ground surface, such as creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes. Ground water is water that either fills the spaces between soil particles or penetrates the cracks and spaces within rocks. Most people get their water from ground water sources. Roughly 9 out of every 10 public water systems. Public water systems operate wells to tap ground water and just over half of the total population served by Public water system drinks water from a ground water source. Millions more get their water from private wells which also tap ground water sources. Ground water systems tend to serve smaller numbers of people, while surface water systems generally serve large populations. The quantity and quality of the world's water supply depends on how we choose to use water. Our use can be consumptive, which means that the water is not returned to nature (such as drinking water), or noncomsumptive. Nonconsumptive use returns water, polluted or not, to the system. Creating hydroelectric power is an example of nonconsumptive use. "
