Analysing The Effects Of Ddt Environmental Sciences Essay

Analysing The Effects Of Ddt Environmental Sciences Essay DDT is a white, solid, crystalline powder with no taste or odor. DDT (C14H9C15) is derived from reaction between chloral and chlorobenzene in presence of fumes of sulfuric acid. DDT is insoluble in water and it is soluble in organic solvents such as, fats and oils. DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is an organochlorine pesticide widely used to control mosquito and insects that carry diseases like malaria, typhus, and other harmful diseases and pest in agriculture (Martin, 2008; Raghavendra et al., 2010). DDT was banned in the U.S. in 1972 because it was identified to cause damage in birds and other wildlife, but it is still used in some developing countries (Bhuiyan et al., 2008). It is still present in environment due to current use in other countries. DDT and its breakdown products (DDE and DDD) can easily break down by sunlight, but they are very hard to dissolve in soil. DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene) and DDD (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane) are two major metabolites and breakdown products of DDT. DDD was also known as pesticide, but it was banned whereas DDE does not have any commercial use (Eskenazi et al., 2009). DDT was first synthesized in 1874 by Othmar Zeidler. In 1940, DDT was first used to treat Dutch elm disease. DDT was majorly used in World War II to protect troop and civilians from diseases. In 1939, Paul Mueller discovered DDT as insecticide and he won the Nobel Prize in 1948 for it. After this, people started using DDT as pesticide for their home, agriculture purpose and in gardens (Eskenazi et al., 2008). However, DDT started to cause diseases during this time and this increases public concern to Rachel Carsonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Silent Spring. Rachel Carsonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Silent Spring was published in 1962, which contains environmental impacts of DDT in the US (ATSDR, 2002; Eskenazi et al., 2008; Martin, 2008). DDT is strongly absorbed by soil and remains there for long period of time (Bhuiyan et al., 2008). They released f rom soil by various types of reactions such as, runoff, photolysis, aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation and volatilization (van den Berg, 2009). In surface water, DDT will bind to particles that are present in the water and sediments. DDT is taken up by small organisms and fish from the water and then bioaccumulate in organisms to higher trophic levels. DDT deposited into the adipose tissues and fats in organisms. DDT shows bioaccumulation and biomagnification as it has lypophilic property (Bhuiyan et al., 2008). In 1950s, first evidence of DDT toxicity in bald eagles, robins, osprey, pelicans, peregrine falcon, and fish-eating mammals was observed (Xiao et al., 2008; DDT: An Introduction, 1996; Martin, 2008). Objectives This paper has five objectives: (1) To discuss the sources and main causes of DDT; (2) To discuss its mechanism of action as insecticide or pesticide; (3) To discuss the health problems and toxicological effects associated with DDT; (4) To discuss the environmental impacts of DDT; (5) To discuss control measures and various methods of dealing with DDT sources and problems. DDT in the Environment DDT is not soluble in water but it can form strong bonding with soil particles. DDT is still present in environment in soils that were exposed to DDT during earlier time. DDT is a volatile so it can be transported and evaporated as a gas. DDT is not commonly found in groundwater because it is less soluble in water and it will more likely to bound with soil particles rather than water molecule (ATSDR, 2002; Walker, M., Powell, P., 2003; van den Berg, 2009).

Culture and Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Culture and Change - Essay Example A culture is made up of different life experiences that an employee brings with him/herself in a workplace. The whole philosophy of culture becomes especially important to comprehend when an inevitable need to bring or manage an organization-wide change initiates. Thus, it can be said that culture and change are very closely associated in the context of an organizational setup. Mullins (cited in Venance, 2007) claims that those employees who deliberately resist changes in the organizational culture and system can actually cripple the expected performance criteria of that organization, since the importance of change is profoundly necessary in today’s competitive world. Appreciable organizational culture can be seen at Wal-mart which is one of the biggest corporations in the world. Sam Walton, who is the founder of this company and is also called the king of customer service, has redefined the managerial culture which is too conspicuous to be ignored at Wal-mart today. Wal-Mart has been strictly following the religiously derived managerial concept of servant leadership in an attempt to answer the expectations of their employees. (Johnson, 2010). Paying attention to the expectations and demands of the employees has always been considered very important for lining up with the desires of the customers and increasing the productivity level. Also, Wal-mart has always focused on keeping the costs low for winning over the other major companies in the competition. Simple to comprehend and easy-to-relate-to rules are made almost every other month and actions are quickly taken, while respecting the demands of the organizational culture. Basically, the bedrock of the Wal-Mart culture is mainly associated with elements like religion, patriotism, a classless collective identity, modern science, rationality, ecology, relentless struggle, and low costs. The phenomenal culture existing in Wal-mart originates from three fundamental beliefs, which are

Same-sex relationships and same-sex families Essay

Same-sex relationships and same-sex families - Essay Example This essay analyzes that the history of same-sex marriages and families, as well as the current political, cultural and social standing, all implicate boundaries, stereotypes, and inequalities that persist within society. Cultural Boundaries The concept of same-sex marriages and families is one which is divided and marginalized first because of the cultural implications that are within society. The roots of the United States claim equality and a sense of humanitarian acts in the Constitution. However, there are cultural divisions which are based on opposing history known for creating boundaries and marginalized groups. The traditional outlook that is within society moves back to the Puritan legalities in which the country was founded from. The religious implications include individuals that are interested in a married life and stable household that remains as a part of the upbringing of those in society, otherwise, it is considered sinful. This has transferred to contemporary society , specifically seen in cultural traditions such as the 1950s in which the woman and man are designated specific roles in the household and the characteristics of the family are designated with needing a refined upbringing. The representative culture which is known to be traditional and conservative in nature carries the cultural boundaries of opposing same-sex marriages and families (Wax, 2007). The problems with traditional roots that are a part of the culture are further divided by the gender roles and sexual orientation and definitions which are in the modern culture. The concept of same-sex marriage is one which raises questions about gender identity and the role which one should have in the family. When looking at the marriages, there is a specific association with the gender role, specifically because there isn’t a defined role with mother and father. If children are in the family, then it is usually conceived outside of the same-sex relationship or is based on finding a father or mother to assist with the child, which is picked genetically. The question which is raised comes from the concept of identity as well as what the gender role should be in these relationships. The concept becomes based on the idea that the family and the marriage are illegitimate because the gender roles can’t be defined or stereotyped into the same category as others (Ledsham, 2007). Social Implications The stereotypes based on gender roles and traditional means not only are based on the accepted cultures that are a part of society. There are also social implications which are based on accepting and rejecting those that fall into this stereotype. The main social implication starts with exposing the marginalized group within society while creating the stereotypes that immediately change the status of those that are building a same-sex marriage or family. When looking at social components, it can be seen that there are sex discrimination roles which form and take pl ace because of the stereotypes which occur from gender identity and the beliefs which are placed into the ideals of the same sex families. The concept of equality is one which becomes illegitimate because of cultural wars which are placed in society and which create boundaries between the groups of same-sex or traditional marriages (Widiss et al, 2007).