Category: Environmental science

• Read Chapters 6 & 7.

Our Global Environment 8th Edition, Nadakavukaren

ISBN 13: 978-1-4786-3771-4

• Read through the following and view the videos.
• Find a news article within the past 3 months related to one of the topics covered this week (hint – searching key words found in the chapter).
• Describe your related personal application or personal experience with the subject matter (see Syllabus for details). An example paper is included in Files. It must be between 200-300 words and must include in-text and full citation at end of paper in MLA format.
• Submit your paper via the link below.

Here are some questions to keep in mind as you read the chapter in the book and as you go through the other content:

• What is a zoonotic disease?
• What percent of infectious diseases (in humans) are zoonotic?
• In Environmental Health, what do we mean by a vector?
• What does biomagnification mean?
• What chemicals lead to decreased learning/intelligence in children?
• Whats the difference between a toxin and toxicant?

Study this set of slides:

View these videos (captioned) and websites:

Refine the overall content Improve clarity, academic flow, and strengthen the Discussion & Conclusion sections. Validate the experimental design and results Check if the data split, model comparisons, and interpretations are methodologically sound and free from leakage or bias. Review uncertainty and conclusions Ensure conformal prediction, control chart integration, and overall claims are statistically justified and suitable for journal submission. Deadline: Monday, Feb 16, 2026 12:59 PM.

Refine the overall content Improve clarity, academic flow, and strengthen the Discussion & Conclusion sections. Validate the experimental design and results Check if the data split, model comparisons, and interpretations are methodologically sound and free from leakage or bias. Review uncertainty and conclusions Ensure conformal prediction, control chart integration, and overall claims are statistically justified and suitable for journal submission. Deadline: Monday, Feb 16, 2026 12:59 PM.

The goal of this assignment is to practice synthesizing information from credible sources to create a cohesive, informative written academic report designed for an expert audience.

Instructions:

Step 1: Review Your Initiative

Take a moment to refresh your knowledge of the specific Nature Conservancy habitat conservation initiative you selected in Week 1 and think about the audience you need to address. You will be writing this report for other Nature Conservancy professionals and experts in your field, so you will be writing in a formal and objective manner.

Step 2: Synthesize Your Research

As the Staff Researcher, you will use credible resources to compile a Research Report.

Your Research Report must synthesize information from a minimum of 5 sources. You may use the resources you found in Week 1 as the Research Intern as well as any additional sources that are relevant to your selected conservation initiative.

While developing your synthesis, make sure you are also considering the appropriate writing elements described in the Learning Materials, including:

• Organization
• Tone
• Evidence
• Attribution
• Clarity
• Cohesion

Double check that you are synthesizing (not summarizing) ideas from your sources using the

, and that you are providing appropriate in-text citations and a list of references at the end of your report.

Your report should be written in the third person perspective (avoid using I, me, and my).

Step 3: Develop Your Evidence

In week 1, as the Research Intern, you considered why your selected project was important why it mattered. This week you will support this position with evidence as the Staff Researcher. You are providing evidence from your sources to prove that your stance is well-informed.

Note: You may need to find additional sources to support your position.

Step 4: Length & Formatting

Write 400500 words using APA style throughout your report. Your writing should include in-text citations and a References page to support your claims.

Follow this organization:

• Title Page Include your report title, your name, and the date.
• Introduction Begin with a short paragraph that introduces your topic, explains your research question, and tells the reader why the issue matters. (Do not label this section Introduction.)
• Background or Literature Review Summarize and synthesize what credible sources say about the issue. This section shows the landscape of whats already known.
• Analysis or Discussion Explain the major themes, findings, or insights from your research. Connect ideas across sources and note where authors agree or disagree.
• Conclusion Summarize what youve learned, highlight key takeaways, and identify remaining questions or possible next steps for future research.
• References List all sources cited in APA format using hanging indents.

Formatting Guidelines:

• Double-spaced text, 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font
• Clear section headings for each labeled part of the report (except the Introduction)
• Submit as a Word (.docx) or PDF (.pdf) file

Write a 750-1,000-word essay about water quality in your community that addresses the following points: Obtain a water quality report from your local municipality within the last two years and discuss what you found in the report. Identify a water quality issue happening in your community and where the pollution comes from. This includes point sources (for example, water discharge from a factory; contamination from a Superfund site), non-point sources (for example, agricultural runoff), and natural sources. Describe how the pollution source is impacting the environment and human health in your community, and provide two examples of each. Identify three management practices to minimize water pollution. Remember to support your data and information with appropriate citations. A minimum of five peer-reviewed references must be included. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

1. Choose a Pollutant: Hexane 2. Use the Assignment Template: Use the attached “Week 5 Assignment – Pollutant Analysis Table” template and fill in the table with concise bullet points, providing sufficient detail to show your reasoning. For example, instead of writing “can pollute water,” write “can infiltrate the ground and contaminate groundwater.” Your table should include the following rows: Pollutant name, CAS number, and chemical formula Classification of the pollutant type Other major sources and/or uses of the pollutant Impacts on the lithosphere Impacts on the hydrosphere Effects on ecosystem health Hazards to human health 3. Follow the Template Instructions: The template contains instructional text to guide you. Delete this text before submitting your assignment. Writing Guidelines Context and Purpose: Provide a concise overview of the pollutant for a professional audience (e.g., an environmental commission or organization). Sources and Evidence: Use reliable sources, include in-text citations as needed, and provide a reference list in APA format. If you use a generative AI tool, cite and reference it. Writing Style: Write in your own words, with no grammar or spelling errors. Be concise and use bullet points. Format and Layout: Present the information in table format. Additional Tips Review the Grading Rubric: Check the detailed grading rubric before starting the assignment. Use the Student Example Week 5 Assignment: For guidance on completing this pollutant research and analysis activity, please refer to the Student Example Week 5 Assignment attached to these instructions and the Week 5 Announcement.

Unit 3: Environmental Health and Toxicology

Human health is directly impacted by the quality of the environment we live in. Polluted air, water, and soil can all have negative effects on public health.

Post 1: Initial Response

Chemical pollutants, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals, can have profound effects on both human health and the environment. As students of environmental science, it is crucial to understand the pathways through which these substances enter our bodies and ecosystems, their toxicological impacts, and the measures we can take to mitigate these risks.

This week, you can choose from the following three case studies, then answer the questions provided below. You can begin your research using your textbook on the pages noted below, and supplement with outside research in the PG Library, or using other credible sources.

• Withgott, J. H., & Laposata, M. (2021). Environment: The science behind the stories, PDF ebook. Pearson Higher Ed.

Case Studies:

• Flint, Michigan lead contamination in the water supply. (p. 367). (DO THIS ONE)
• The use of industrial chemicals such as BPA and phthalates and their role as endocrine-disruptors. (pp. 359-361)
• The use of pesticides in agriculture. (pp. 251-252 and pp. 368-370)

1. Briefly describe the case study you chose and identify the pollutant of concern.
2. How does this pollutant enter human bodies and the ecosystem? Consider various pathways such as air, water, soil, and food.
3. What are some of the short-term and long-term health effects of exposure to the pollutant you chose? Provide specific examples.
4. How does this pollutant affect ecosystems?
5. What are the impacts on wildlife, nutrient cycles, air, water, etc.?
6. How concerned are you about environmental toxins?
7. Do you think that there should be more regulations to control these pollutants?
8. What steps can individuals and communities take to reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals and protect environmental health?

Attached is Flint, Michigan Lead chapter

ASSIGNMENT: Module 3 – Designing Healthy Interiors/Indoor Air Quality – My topic – How do these chemicals affect us: Acetone, Butanal, Carbon Disulfide, Acetic Acid, and Ethanol – How do we prevent these from entering a home? – Where might these chemicals be found in a home? Instructions- – Include topic title and the names of each team member on first slide. – Express at least 5 key narrative points. – Include at least 3 images. – Minimum of 6 slides, maximum of 12. – Customize and edit text (do not just paste in original text). – Use font sizes of 18 points or larger. – Simplify and summarize all content to make it clear and easy to understand. – Graphics should be professional but also express a unique vibe (avoid using pre-built template graphics). – Spell check content. – Cite sources.

ASSIGNMENT: Module 3 – Designing Healthy Interiors/Indoor Air Quality – My topic – How do these chemicals affect us: Acetone, Butanal, Carbon Disulfide, Acetic Acid, and Ethanol – How do we prevent these from entering a home? – Where might these chemicals be found in a home? Instructions- – Include topic title and the names of each team member on first slide. – Express at least 5 key narrative points. – Include at least 3 images. – Minimum of 6 slides, maximum of 12. – Customize and edit text (do not just paste in original text). – Use font sizes of 18 points or larger. – Simplify and summarize all content to make it clear and easy to understand. – Graphics should be professional but also express a unique vibe (avoid using pre-built template graphics). – Spell check content. – Cite sources.

In part 1 of your environmental studies report, you will briefly describe the environmental issue and why you are interested in writing about it. You will also include a list of stakeholders/key actors. 1) Describe your environmental issue: (1-2 double-spaced paragraphs maximum) What is it? Why is it a problem? (i.e., does it affect health, sustainability, etc.) 2) Why are you interested in this issue? You need to write at least 3 sentences explaining your personal connection to this issue and why you are interested in writing about it for your environmental issue report 3) Include a list of stakeholders who are concerned with this environmental issue. You will write about them in other parts of your report. Choose only one key actor per stakeholder group. List the following groups concerned about this issue or actively involved in addressing this issue: o One environmental NGO o One scientist, academic, research organization, or think tank o One business, consultancy group, or corporation o One labor union, labor organization, or workers organization 4) Bibliography I have no specific requirements for citation style, but you must include a list at the end of your paper showing me the sources you used to answer the questions above. o Bibliographies must include: author name(s), publication year, source title, and if its an online source, the link. o You can see an example of APA citation at the end of the syllabus You must also include in-text citations. In-text citations include authors last name and publication year in parenthesis following the cited material. (Author name, date) Direct quotes, statistics, or meaningful perspectives that are not your own must be cited in-text in addition to the bibliography at the end. o If there is no date, then you can write n.d. = (Author name, n.d.) You must use at least 2 different sources. Use the library guide for our class to help you identify sources

Please provide the bibliography.