Biosolids, Simply Waste, or Agriculture Fertilizer?

Is the rumor true, that biosolids are being used as agriculture fertilizer?  Well first things first, what are biosolids? Essentially it refers to human waste, or treated sludge and is a term used by the waste water industry to denote the byproducts of domestic and commercial sewage and wastewater treatment. They contain nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter as well as essential micro-nutrients such as copper, iron, molybdenum and zinc, which are all important for plant growth and soil fertility. In other parts of the world it is used as sustainable agriculture fertilizer.  There are various pros and cons to this particular usage, for example:
Pros of Biosolids as Agriculture FertilizerCons of Biosolids as Agriculture Fertilizer -creates jobs-potential health hazard -it is a cost effect method of disposal-effects irreversible -recycles  versus filling landfills-contamination resulting from accumulation of industrial waste -promotes farming-its true composition is unknown -reduces emissions from transportation to landfills-may contain hazardous chemicals -good free fertilizer-possibly transferable to crops -It’s regulated according to EPA law 503-decreases property value -- reduces the need for commercial fertilizers-not sufficiently regulated --improves soil fertility-odor -enhances soil structure, moisture retention and soil permeability
-adds organic material that helps to maintain good soil and reduce the potential for soil erosion and runoff 

  
                After completing some research I discovered that biosolids can be disposed of or dealt with in numerous ways. For example, incineration can be used which is the burning of biosolids. Biosolids can be disposed in landfills where they are buried and mixed in and layered with municipal soil waste. They can be disposed of in the ocean, and as stated above they can be used to fertilize agricultural crops and forests.   As previously stated the elements essential for plant growth are all found in biosolids, including nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, sulfur, boron, manganese, zinc, and copper. This organic material benefits the soil in many ways. Most importantly, it improves water infiltration and helps hold water and nutrients for use by the plants, therefore reducing runoff and erosion.  

             

Judging from the evidence provided, in my opinion it is clearly evident what the correct path to take is. Using biosolids as agriculture fertilizers is the more beneficial choice. I say this because if we take into consideration the current state of our planet and how it is experiencing the affects of global warming and undergoing many negative environmental changes, we as human beings, must do everything we can to be as environmentally friendly as possible.  Unfortunately, due to the standards of western society, taking this step may prove to be difficult. Because of our affluence and advanced technology we may find other methods more efficient, and we will choose not to take the environmental direction, due to its few disadvantages, such as odor or unsanitary factors.  However, we as a society need to make a change. We need to use biosolids as agriculture fertilizer so we can recycle and go green, providing a positive example for all nations around the world, saving and caretaking for our planet, one step at a time!  

Sources-          Biosolids:  Fertilizer or Pollution?  Lynchburg College Principles of Science 102Ahttp://www.sencer.net/Outreach/pdfs/DCSymposium08/Posters/LUbiosolids.pdf-          Exeter Supervisors Hear Options for Biosolidshttp://www.berksmontnews.com/articles/2011/02/10/southern_berks_news/news/doc4d53fdc80963b266606119.txt-          Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. Sewage Biosolids: A Valuable Nutrient Sourcehttp://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/nm/nasm/sewbiobroch.htm-          Pollution Issues: Biosolidshttp://www.pollutionissues.com/A-Bo/Biosolids.html-          The Beauty of Biosolidshttp://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/realfiles/docs/1997/105-1/focus1-abs.html
Blogs I Commented On-          http://claudia-d-123.blogspot.com/2010/12/biosolids-as-agricultural-fertilizer.html?showComment=1305596714911#c9026490922646050489\-    

http://natashasbioblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/give-poop-i-mean-bio-solids-chance.html?showComment=1308152637088#c4001226160995256517

Medicine and Technology, what would we do without them?

When I think of technology, I think of the future and how technology progresses more and more as time goes by. But then I think of all the negative affects it has on us and we now depend on it, today kids in grade four have cellphones, I didn't get one till the summer of grade eight. But have you ever thought of how useful technology is and how much it has helped us today? Technology runs in the veins of society. 


When it comes to medicine, technology plays a big role. Technology in medicine has made operations easier and faster, it's helped in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Technology; in the form of instruments, devices, machines, drugs, and systems; has aided medical science, altered medical practice, and changed the illness experience of patients. There are many different types of medical machines today, with all kinds of functions. Examples are:
-The X-ray, discovered in 1895 by german scientist Wilhelm Rontgen. The X-ray is used to see your bones and primarily to check for bone fractures. 
-The electrocardiograph, invented in 1903 by Willem Einthoven. The electrocardiograph works mostly by detecting and amplifying the tiny electrical changes on the skin that are caused when the heart muscle "depolarizes" during each heart beat.
-The endoscope, invented by Basil Hirschowitz in 1956. An endoscope is a device with a light attached that is used to look inside a body cavity or organ.
-The ultrasound scan, invented by the English physician Ian Donald in 1958. Ultrasound scans are used to take images of the internal organs created from sound waves. Ultrasound scanning is used to help monitor and diagnose conditions in many parts of the body, including the kidneys, the liver and the heart. 
- The CT (CAT) scan, 1973 by Godfrey Hounsfield and Allan Cormack. The CT scan is great at providing detailed views of all types of tissues. Diagnoses many different types of cancer, being able to measure the size and location of tumors. The is a major breakthrough and is an abundant help.

- The artificial heart, used to bridge time in a heart transplant or in some cases, permanently replaces the heart. Invented by Robert Jarvik in 1982.

These examples are only few of many. Many lives today have been saved thanks to the help of these machines. Technology has helped us so much, it's helped things become clearer, when we need to understand things.  It's such an important aspect in today's society. Without technology things would be way different. We wouldn't be able to communicate as easily and things would be more complex. Also, medicine has evolved so much in the past years and we have incredible discoveries all the time.  A major medical discovery was in the 1800s when anesthetics were discovered, which make surgeries painless and two Canadian doctors made great contributions to the developments in anesthesiology. In 1923, W.E. Brown of the University of Toronto established the value of ethylene as an anesthetic, and in 1942 Dr Harold Griffith advanced the science of anesthesia by his use of curare, a plant extract used by South Americans as an arrow poison. Technology in terms of medicine has also increased the life span of an average person. 


I find that technology is one of the most important advancements for people. It's more than just aided, but it's changed lives, New things are discovered daily and I would hope and recommend the progression for the future. 

sources
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodyct
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/examinations/ultrasound.htm
http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/about/tra16e.cfm
http://www.discoveriesinmedicine.com/To-Z/X-ray-Machine.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002360.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_heart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_equipment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrocardiography
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0005203 



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Industrial Agriculture vs. Sustainable Agriculture

Food is essential for growth, energy production, repair of cells and the maintenance of proper health. Without food, people would face serious consequences, they wouldn't be able to function. But where does food come from? Today there are about 6,900,201,659 people living in our society. Will we be able to continue to provide for ourselves as the years go by? 

Agriculture plays a big part in this. There are two main types of agriculture, industrial agriculture and sustainable agriculture. Industrial agriculture is defined as "a modern form of capital intensive farming in which the machinery and purchased are substituted for the labor of human beings and animals." Industrial agriculture involves usage of heavy machinery and makes work easier, needing no labor. It has a negative impact on the environment. Besides pollution and soil destruction, it also consumes large amounts of water, energy and chemicals. Sustainable agriculture  is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers, respects animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer, and supports and enhances rural communities. 


Without agriculture we're unable to produce food. Therefore agriculture has a big impact on us. It is estimated that in the year 2050 our population will increase to about 9 billion people! Because of the increase in population many farms will need to be built over with houses, replacing the sustainable agriculture. The industrial agriculture is more than sufficient and helps get the job done faster. But what about all the negative effects industrial agriculture has? Industrial agriculture seems to be the only choice. Even though industrial agriculture has negative impacts, but it also has a primary emphasis on speed, quantity and profit! Industrial agriculture supports facilities called factory farms but known to the government, they're called Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations(CAFOs). A large CAFO includes 1000 cattle (other than dairy, which is 700), 2500 hogs over 55 pounds, or 125,000 chickens (as long as a liquid manure system isn't used). The animals are confined closely and are unnaturally large. There must be other ways that we can continue to agriculture without affecting animals and ourselves. Because we're the ones consuming these mistreated animals. 
                                                                                             

Although industrial agriculture has a negative impact, it seems to be the only solution. Hopefully in the future we can develop better technologies to help provide for us, because who knows how long this will last. As Christopher Bond once said: "Advances in technology will continue to reach far into every sector of our economy. Future job and economic growth in industry, defense, transportation, agriculture, health care, and life sciences is directly related to scientific advancement."






sources 
http://scienceblogs.com/worldsfair/2009/05/industrial_agriculture_v_susta.php
http://www.sustainabletable.org/intro/whatis/
http://www.economywatch.com/agriculture/types/industrial.html
http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/factoryfarming/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc4HxPxNrZ0 
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/agriculture.html#ixzz1LP9zeGw4

blogs commented on
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How far is too far?

Everday new things are discovered, we went from the telephone to the internet. Our society progresses further all the time, espceially in science. People obsess over many things, especially when it comes to self appearances. There are countless things people do for beauty, but have you heard of designer babies? If you could design your baby and choose it's appearance yourself, would you? We've gone from designing articles of clothing to designing babies, how far is too far?

What is a designer baby? It is "a baby whose genetic makeup has been artificially selected by genetic engineering combined with in vitro fertilization to ensure the presence or absence of particular genes or characteristics." In other words, it is a process which allows doctors to screen embryos for genetic disorders in which healthy embryos are picked, this process is called Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). With this procedure, you are ensuring your child will be born without genetic disorders. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis is an extraordinary discovery and advance in science. Designer babies are very beneficial to the children of the future, but designing your baby, is that the way to go? This is a complex question, with no easy answers, but i would say there are more cons then pros when it comes to discussing designer babies. A designer baby costs about $18 000, here would be your first con, why should anyone pay to "create" their own child; birth and the creation of a human beings is beautiful on its own, it's part of nature. I understand that society may want to protect their children from these disorders but that may be some people, while others may take advantage of this discovery; using if for more than just ensuring the health of their child. If society chose what their children would look like, from their hair to eye colour; creating things we are made to believe are beautiful, we'll lose the things that actually are, we'd lose our diversity. We would promote the "ideal" image that consumes people today. There could be more whites than blacks, causing hatred to those who look different. Everyone could want one gender putting boy/girl ration seriously out of balance.

As much as Designer babies are a huge breakthrough and impressive advancement in science, it has many negative affects. In my opinion I don't think designing your child should be an option, whether health issues or not, there are other options if you can't have children, you can adopt for example. I feel that if your child is born with a disability you just have to manage it and love your child no matter what, you learn from experience. Designing your child is a big decision, that anyone should seriously take time to think about before considering. 

Sources Used
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-designer-babies.html

http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/db_cont1.htm

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Pros_and_cons_of_designer_babies

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