Carbon monoxide

Foraminifera can be an indicator for the carbon cycle The changes in ocean chemistry can impact calcifying organisms in a negative way. Plankton that calcifies are a key player in the marine carbon cycle. Recent studies have been done with a tiny-shelled organism that suggests changes in the global carbon cycle. This is the first study that has been done with high CO2 that shows a combination of shell building problems, physiological stress, and spine repair in foraminifera. For this study,…

When you’re cleaning an accidental water spill, have you ever wondered why the water gets easily absorbed by the paper towel in your hand? Have you wondered what force could have caused this phenomenon to occur? This force where water is pulled and absorbed is called capillary action. Although this force can pull water against the force of gravity, it is because of an attraction between molecules of different substances known as adhesion that water can be pulled up. Examples of adhesion include:…

Introduction Chlorinated solvents are chemical compounds, primarily used today in the dry-cleaning industry. Structurally, they are organic compounds, typically containing one to three carbon atoms, arranged in a hydrocarbon chain. Single or multiple chlorine atoms are attached to the hydrocarbon chain by covalent bonds. As shown below in FIGURE 1, chlorinated solvents can be in three forms, dependent on the chemical structure: chlorinated methanes, chlorinated ethanes, and chlorinated ethenes.…

The carbon emissions in the atmosphere are putting our ocean life in extreme danger. The ocean is absorbing a large amount of our CO2 emissions from the atmosphere and as a result, it is decreasing the fish and coral reef population. The ocean is absorbing human waste and the ocean life is in danger from it. The ocean has absorbed lots of fossil carbon emissions since the Industrial Revolution and predatory fish are down 90% from over fishing in the oceans. Human population growth adds stress…

The Purification of a Gem (Topic 2) A rough, dull gemstone is put inside a scorching, blazing furnace, which breaks down its flesh, melting and refining its impurities. Through this excruciating process, a strong and beautiful gem is born to serve a variety of meaningful purposes--from becoming a gift for someone we cherish to being used as a healing stone. There is no better expression for the turbulent time of childhood and adolescence that have made me who I am today. The past twenty years…

different ways by gas exchange. For example, with chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD it causes respiratory acidosis which is essentially an increase in carbonic acid and a decrease in pH. Then the opposite would be when you breathe off too much carbon dioxide, this causes respiratory alkalosis because it is a decrease in carbonic acid and an increases in pH. The next interrelated concept is perfusion;…

Oil is usually found deep under ground, but the greater Los Angeles area up through the Santa Barbara area is one of a few places in the world where oil is not just close to the surface, it is on the surface, bubbling in cold pits of bitumen, also known as asphalt and tar. This asphaltum has been important to humans for as long as they have lived in the region. In the past it was primarily used to waterproof boats, water carriers, and cooking vessels or as an adhesive. Now, of course we use…

Did you know that in 2016, 81.6% of CO2 emissions were from human activities? These large amounts of carbon emitted are used to do many things, but most of them are bad. The one I will be talking about is wildfires since it is impacted by climate change in a huge way. Wildfires are large, destructive fires that are started then spread fast over trees and brush. Three ways wildfires are affected by humans are: burning fossil fuels, leaving campfires unattended, and leaving cigarettes lit. In…

Carbonation is another type of chemical weathering. Carbonation is the mixing of water with carbon dioxide to make carbonic acid. This type of weathering is important in the formation of caves. Dissolved carbon dioxide in rainwater or in moist air forms carbonic acid, and this acid reacts with minerals in rocks. chemical weathering tends to be different sorts of chemicals mixed together to form a material. Rust is a good example of what chemical weathering can do. With an increase in…

Coal and Coal Seam Production and Use in Australia. Coal and coal seam gas (CSG) are both naturally occurring resources. They are both extracted from the ground by mining. Coal is burned to produce electricity in huge power plants. CSG can be cooled to produce liquefied natural gas, or the methane gas can used to power electricity generators. The mining of coal in order to produce electricity has advantages and disadvantages, which divide the opinions of society. The same can be said for the…