Taking the Lead on Lead

The metal lead is an element. That means that the particles that make up lead are atoms, which cannot be chemically broken apart. It is soft, heavy, and malleable. If you cut a piece, it looks bluish white, but it quickly combines with oxygen in the air to form lead oxide. It doesn't conduct electricity all that well, but it is highly resistant to corrosion, so you can use it as a container for acids. The symbol for lead is Pb, which stands for plumbum, which is the latin name. It used to be used for pipes to carry water, most famously way back in Rome. This explains the origins of words like plumber, and plumb line.

It is also a potent neurotoxin. But that wasn't always known. In the 1920's lead was added to gasoline to reduce engine knocking. Lead was also found in paint. But as the realization that lead was both damaging to the environment, and toxic to humans, it has been almost completely phased out of use in gasolines and paints in North America.

So why then are both the Public and Catholic school boards for the Thames Valley area (that includes Parkhill) now checking the drinking water at all schools for lead? What are the effects of lead on the human body? Should Londoners be concerned about this problem? Who could be affected the most by this? Do some research into this recent problem that has been highlighted in the media of late, and post your findings on your blog!

Odd Guy Out - Introducing New Species

In episode 16, season 6 of the Simpsons, ("Bart vs. Australia"), Bart brings his pet toad to Australia. As the dysfunctional family escapes the grasp of the angry Australians, they happily note the destruction caused by the massively reproducing toad on the Australian ecology (which is quickly followed by a quick view of an ominous koala bear attached to the exterior of the plane).

This is actually a reference to the introduction of the cane toad to Australia. Introducing a new species into an ecosystem that has never seen the likes of its kind can be disasterous. This is because there are often no predators to keep populations in check. Also, the new species can rapidly consume and/or alter the biotic and abiotic resources of the ecosystem if they are suitable.

A closer to home example is the Emerald Ash Borer. In June, 2002, it was discovered in Canton, Michigan. The normal range of the ash borer is eastern Russia and northern China. It is believed the beetle managed to hitch hike its way over on a shipment of contanimated wood. The beetle is so named because it likes to 'bore' into ash trees to lay its eggs, and its emerald in colour. How about that, an animal named for what it looks like!

The beetle has devastated ash trees in Michigan, and recently it has been found in London. The City of London website has hosted a faq that answers many questions you might have about how bad it is, and what they're doing about it.

Research and find 3 other examples of accidentally (or purposely) introduced species in North America that have had a negative effect on the environment. Explain in your blog how they have affected the ecosystem they were introduced to and explain any efforts on the part of humans on how they have attempted to control the introduced species.