The Process: Environmentalist

As the environmentalist, it is your job to present to the Hazmat Agency the possible harmful effects that this tragic mercury spill poses to the environment in Millersville. It is necessary for you to convince this agency that an immediate and thorough clean-up effort is necessary in order to limit damage to the ecosystems that exist in this lake land community. Answer the following guided questions from the perspective of an environmentalist to create an informative fact sheet. It is important to incorporate graphics along with your fact sheet.  You should utilize all researched information and graphics in your portion of the PowerPoint presentation. After gathering all your information, meet with the Health Inspectors and Chemists to share ideas and orchestrate a convincing presentation for the Hazmat Agency imploring them to embark on a speedy clean-up effort.  

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  1. What is mercury? Include the dictionary definition with examples. Give the scientific explanation of why the chemical is harmful and how the common understanding differs from the scientific understanding of the contaminant.

  2. What were the effects of the mercury poisoning tragedy in Minamata Bay, Japan (1959) due to the lack of a clean-up effort.

  3. Write a general statement to present to the governmental hazard agency pertaining to the urgency of a quick clean-up in this matter.

  4. What are some of the harmful effects that methyl mercury has on wildlife?

  5. How does spilled mercury react when it is exposed to the air and water in the environment?

  6. Describe how mercury is converted into the toxic form known as methyl mercury and why this is dangerous to the environment.

  7. Define mercury bioaccumulation and explain how it effects the food chain and threatens the ecosystem.

  8. Draw a diagram for your presentation illustrating mercury transport and potential receptors in the terrestrial ecosystem. Provide a written explanation describing your model.

  9. Draw a diagram for your presentation illustrating mercury transport and potential receptors in the aquatic ecosystems. Provide a written explanation describing  your model.

  10. Why is it necessary to undergo a speedy clean-up effort in the case of the Millersville spill? Create a list of points that should be made to convince the task force to get moving.

Author: Leslie Van Slooten