Author: vivirfelizmente

Assignment Instructions

Question #1

In your post address: 

• The causes of HABs and whether Oregon is likely to see more or fewer HAB outbreaks in the future
• The impacts HABs have or may have on Oregon’s coastal communities
• What communities can do to reduce the likelihood of people falling ill due to HABs.

Target length 300 words. 

Estimated Time to Complete Assignment

This assignment will take you approximately five hours including both research and writing.

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Harmful Algal Blooms Off Oregon’s Coast

Harmful algal blooms (or HABs as they are often referred to as) occur when certain species of algae become so densely populated that it begins to have a harmful effect on aquatic life and the environment. There are many ways in which this can happen, however some of those include:

Harmful algal blooms are complicated, but some of the major factors that contribute to their formation are nutrient runoff (from fertilizers), warm sea surface temperatures (El Niño cycles), poor watershed management (increased sediment, deforestation, etc.), and climate change.

 

One of the most significant factors in harmful algal blooms is nutrient runoff.  This comes from fertilizer runoffs and wastewater runoffs, which enter the ocean through rivers and streams during rainfall events. According to NOAA, “Nutrient pollution is widely recognized as one of the most challenging threats facing our nation’s coastal resources.” The fertilizers that are introduced into the water supply cause phytoplankton growth to increase by 2-5 times. This is because when phosphate and nitrate enter the ocean, they act as a fertilizer for phytoplankton (algae). The nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus are most dangerous because they can spur quick growth of phytoplankton (algae).

 

The impact of HABs has been felt not just in Oregon but worldwide, from the United States and Europe to Japan and Australia. HABs can cause negative impacts on food webs by depleting oxygen levels, killing fish and other marine wildlife, creating dead zones or harmful conditions for human activities such as swimming or drinking the water. HABs can have a wide range of negative effects on coastal communities. In addition to killing wildlife, HABs can cause a variety of short-term and long-term health problems in humans and other marine wildlife. Short term impacts from exposure may include respiratory irritation or gastrointestinal distress from swallowing water while swimming or ingesting seafood caught from the affected area. Longer-term exposure can cause liver or nervous system damage from consuming contaminated seafood.

 

In Oregon, HABs have been linked to wildlife deaths, including sea lions and otters . In addition, shellfish beds in Yaquina Bay and Tillamook Bay were closed due to high levels of domoic acid in the algae during a 2015 bloom.  When HABs occur in Oregon, we often recommend that residents and visitors limit direct contact with coastal waters until the bloom has passed. If you come into contact with algae scum or water, wash your skin and rinse your eyes with fresh water. If you experience respiratory irritation, seek medical attention immediately. Be aware that any seafood product may be contaminated with high levels of domoic acid for up to a week after the end of the HAB event. It is best to avoid consuming recreationally caught crab during this time period. Harmful algal blooms are not something anyone can completely avoid, but knowing about them gives us the tools to limit their impact on our coastal communities.

 

References used for this article: http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/05/hazards_of_harmful_algae_blooms.html http://www.opb.org/earthfix/blogpost/2015/06/09-28-15-health-warning-bluegreenalgaepoisoning-oregon/ http://www.hawaii247.com/2015/06/09/blue-green-algae-bloom-causes-newport-beach-closure/ http://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/effects_algal_blooms.html https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=1277

 

Sources:  http://www.epa.gov/hiri/habs_web/basics.html#causes , http://www.marine-conservation-explorations.com/habs-3 , http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-g-barry/red-tide_b_4023374.html, http://scientopia.org/blogs/scicurious/2009/05/13/what-causes-harmful-algae-blooms/

Algae Bloom – causes, symptoms, treatments, photos http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080905154855AALvkMB

Harmful Algal Blooms (Red Tide) 3-D Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ6iUasg8qY

Harmful Algal Blooms (Red Tide) 3-D Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ6iUasg8qY

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Question #1

Write a 500 word creative essay about one of your passions.

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Captivating Ocean: The Sea of Dreams

The sea is a place of mystery, wonder and beauty. It captures the minds of people who are drawn to its call. I am one such person, captivated by the ocean’s waves and tides. There is something about being near the water that soothes me in ways nothing else can. The sound of crashing waves against rocks lulls me into a sense of peace; it calms my worries and sends my mind off on daydreams as I watch seagulls fly overhead or dolphins swim alongside boats with curiosity . I am fascinated by the ocean’s power and ability to make me feel tiny in comparison. It is easy for me to lose track of time when I’m near it, standing on a shore watching waves roll towards land or sitting on my dock late at night listening to water lap against its supports. The sea inspires creativity; it creates stories that are written and songs that are sung. It is a place of inspiration; the ocean is my muse for writing poetry, short stories and novels. I can’t imagine living without it; it would be like trying to breathe underwater! The sea has me under its spell, with its ebb and flow sending me off into a dream world where anything seems possible.

 

I can’t imagine living without it, for the ocean is my muse and inspiration. It captures me in its beauty while captivating me with its call to explore beyond what I know.  I love surfing in waves in the ocean. I find it so relaxing to feel the sea beneath me and to see nothing but glistening water all around me. There’s nothing like catching a nice wave while out on my surfboard, feeling that rush of thrill as you dive into it before riding it back towards shore. Once I’m out there, it’s hard to imagine that the rest of my life is going on back on land as I’m swept away with this sense of freedom and exhilaration.  The wind is in my face, the salt water stings every inch of skin that’s exposed – but it feels so good to be alive. It takes me back to when I was a child and would go out alone into the ocean with nothing more than an inflatable orange ring around my waist, trying not to drown or get swept away by waves .

 

I was never afraid of the ocean then, and that’s how it is for me now too. It holds a certain magic to it that makes everything else in my life feel like an illusion; something not real…almost surreal.  I love surfing out there – paddling away until you get caught up in this wave of energy and before you know it, you’re shooting along the drops of water like they were road signs pointing out where to go.  The ocean is an endless body; this blue canvas that paints itself with different shades of color depending on how deep you are and what mood she’s in – but whatever shade it may be, I’ll always love the captivating ocean.

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Why is the the battle of Saratoga considered to be such an important battle in the revolutionary war?

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The battle of Saratoga : The turning point in the American Revolutionary War

Three fights at Saratoga, New York in September and October of 1777 changed the course of the American Revolution. The first was on September 19th, when British General John Burgoyne led 5,000 troops south after capturing two forts near Ticonderoga, New York. His goal was to reach Albany and then take control of New York City. The second was the battle on October 7th when General Horatio Gates led 8,000 American soldiers to stop Burgoyne’s march south. This battle ended in a draw and forced both sides to rethink their strategies.

 

The third and final battle of Saratoga, which lasted from October 17th through the 19th, was also known as “the Battle of Bemis Heights.” During this fight, Gates led 10,000 soldiers in a surprise attack against Burgoyne’s forces. The British were outnumbered two-to-one, and Gates’ victory was complete when Arnold led 1,500 troops from the northwest to outflank them. After this battle, the Americans chased the British back toward Canada. By mid-November, Burgoyne’s troops had surrendered, and the victory was complete for Gates’ army.

 

September 19th was the turning point of the American revolution, when major general benedict Arnold staved off thousands of enemy soldiers to win a pyrrhic victory against British forces in Saratoga.

General benedict Arnold, in command of American forces at Saratoga, had an army that was smaller than the British forces, but he had an ace up his sleeve in the form of a little known rifleman. Arnold sent these riflemen out into the forests surrounding Saratoga, where they picked off soldiers on patrol and completely disrupted the enemy’s supply lines . This success inspired Arnold to lead some of his men out of fort Ticonderoga on the morning of September 19th.

 

At first, things looked like they were going to be a huge success for both Arnold and America. The British forces were under the impression that the American army was at least three times larger than it actually was, and the attack forced the British to retreat through Saratoga. Unfortunately for Arnold, his forces were repelled during their assault on line, which left them exposed to enemy fire from beyond the range of their muskets. The riflemen remained concealed during this time because they had sited themselves in an elevated position overlooking Saratoga, but the riflemen were forced to retreat when General Simon Fraser was sent out from line with a small number of men.

 

In an attempt to save his forces, Arnold led another charge, but this time it didn’t work so well because the British had artillery support from behind their fortifications which made Arnold’s forces defenseless. Seeing no other way to save his men, Arnold ordered a retreat back through Saratoga where he was attacked by British soldiers on all sides. Arnold had to fight his way out of line in order to get his men back, but he lost most of them in the process .

 

General John Burgoyne’s strategy was to cut off supply lines to the Americans, which would cause them to starve and break their will. Unfortunately for General Burgoyne, this didn’t work out so well because most of his men were killed by riflemen hiding in the forests around Saratoga. The few soldiers that General Burgoyne did have were quickly routed because they didn’t have any morale left to fight with.

 

General Burgoyne, rather than retreat from Saratoga, decided to send a small team of men out in an effort to scare away the riflemen so he could retake the line and advance on the American forces. It was a good plan, but the British under Lieutenant Colonel Baum got lost in the forest, and so they were surrounded by American forces. The soldiers all fought valiantly, but over 500 of them died because General Burgoyne didn’t have enough men to fight off an army that outnumbered him.

 

In conclusion, the battle of Saratoga on September 19th was a turning point in the American revolution because it gave the colonists a major victory against a larger British force. The small size of America’s army forced general benedict Arnold into action, and it was his decision to send American forces outside Saratoga that turned the tide in favor of America. General Burgoyne was forced to retreat when his forces failed to take line, and so he sent out a small team of men to scare away riflemen. This plan could have worked if Baum hadn’t gotten lost in the forest, but this mistake led to half of Baum’s force being killed, meaning that General Burgoyne couldn’t get back to line without being exposed to the superior forces of America. This eventually led to General Burgoyne’s decision to retreat after the battle on September 19th. The fact that General Burgoyne retreated means that America won the battle of Saratoga, which was an important turning point in the American revolution.

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What were the three most important events of the Mexican-American war?

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The three pivotal events of the Mexican-American War

During the Mexican-American War, three events stood out among many and had a significant impact on the outcome of the war. These events include the Battle of Buena Vista, Ulysses S. Grant’s accomplishments during Mexico City Campaign, and Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna leaving Mexico for exile in Cuba after losing to Scotty at the battle of perote castle.

 

The Battle of Buena Vista (or the battle of Angostura) is best known for Zachary Taylor’s victory against Santa Anna on February 22, 1847. Even though General Taylor had roughly 4,000 fewer soldiers than the Mexicans, he was able to hold his own with the help of General Jefferson Davis. The Battle of Buena Vista demonstrated that American troops were capable of defeating Mexican troops, which raised morale among the troops who were planning on invading Mexico City.

 

However, the battle of Buena Vista was slightly overshadowed by Ulysses S. Grant’s accomplishments during Mexico City Campaign.

 

Ulysses S. Grant was an American general who had participated in many battles including Fort Donelson and Shiloh. He started to gain national popularity after his victory at the battle of Vicksburg on July 1863.

 

After the battle of Buena Vista, General Taylor and his troops retreated back to the US and left Mexico. However, Zachary Taylor had a significant impact on American history by being elected as president from 1849-1850. On the other hand, Ulysses S. Grant rose in ranks within the army and became commanding general during the American civil war.

 

Lastly, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was forced to leave Mexico after the Battle of Perote Castle and went into exile in Cuba. During his exile, he wrote a book describing how he conquered independent America and had planned on stealing California from America during his invasion. 

 

The second event that led to Ulysses S. Grant’s growing reputation occurred during the Battle for Mexico City. While commanding troops in Mexico City, he wrote a letter to the Commanding General explaining that his troops would be able to take a hill before sundown or else they would all die trying. Despite being outnumbered three to one, Grant’s men took the hill and held it against Mexican attacks.

 

This event was important for two reasons—the first is it confirmed Grant’s bravery and loyalty to his troops, which is ultimately what led President Abe Lincoln to appoint him as the commanding general of all Union Army troops.

 

The last event that had a major impact on the outcome of the war was Santa Anna choosing to leave Mexico after being defeated by Scotty at the battle of perote castle. This meant that Santa Anna would not be present at the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war.

 

Overall, all three events were key turning points in the Mexican-American War that ultimately led to American victory. Although other battles were fought, it was these three particular ones that had a lasting effect on how Americans are viewed in the world.

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Write a 500 word summary of the advantages and disadvantages of economies of scale how these advantages and disadvantages relate to management decisions

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The advantages and disadvantages of economies of scale

Economies of scale can be generally described as a cost advantage that a producer gains due to an increase in the volume of production. In this assignment I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of economies of scale and how it relates to management decisions.

 

When discussing economies of scale there are two types: internal and external. Internal economies of scales occur within an organization and external economies of scale occur between organizations. When a business is experiencing internal economies of scale there are lower average costs per unit because the fixed cost has been distributed over a larger quantity of output, production can be spread out and fewer resources required for each unit produced. External economies of scale occur when it is cheaper for separate companies to produce a joint product than it would be for them to produce a separate product because of sharing resources and other factors.

 

Advantages

One advantage is that with economies of scale comes higher productivity and therefore greater output. If a company has high fixed costs, it may make sense to produce as much as possible in order to spread those costs over a larger quantity of output. For example, a company operating on small scale with high fixed costs and is only able to produce one product at a time (e.g., 1000 units), with total variable cost per year of $100,000, if the company increased production and was able to produce 2 units at a time (2000 units) its total variable cost per year would be $50,000.

 

Another advantage with economies of scale is that it can improve a business’ bargaining power which can lead to lower costs and more revenue. For example, several businesses may decide to form a joint venture and produce one product instead of each business having its own individual production facility. This can lead to lower costs for the businesses involved and therefore more revenue.

 

Disadvantages

 

One disadvantage with economies of scale is that some organizations may not be able to take advantage of such savings because they are unable to increase output. For example, ABC Co. has 100 employees and produces 100 units of output per year (fixed costs are $1,000). If the company were to increase production it would need to hire more resources in order to produce 200 units. Assuming that each unit requires one employee then this company is not able to take advantage of economies of scale because it has reached its production limit.

 

Another disadvantage is that economies of scale only occur when the volume level increases – if the volume decreases it could lead to diseconomies of scale. This can be due to rising costs per unit caused by lower efficiency and therefore higher average cost, or having difficulties in managing a larger business might become more difficult which can lead to lower profits.

Overall it is evident that economies of scale have both advantages and disadvantages, the aim of this paper was to highlight these and discuss how they can be useful in management decisions.

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Question #1

Physical geographic features (rivers, mountains, etc.) can shape and contribute to human development of a region or realm.  Explain why and how rivers shaped the political landscape of Western Europe.

Question #2

Northern Europe is more affluent than Southern Europe.  What geographic factors contributed to the success of the north?  What geographic factors limited development in the south?

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The geographic factors that contributed to the affluence of northern Europe

Question #1 (491 words)

 

In the early middle ages prior to 1000 CE, Western Europe was a very different place than it is today. The political boundaries were not at all how they are currently; instead they determined themselves by the terrain and hydrology of the area. Rivers were an important fixture in this landscape, carving through mountainsides to create valleys that would become towns, roads, and the borders of countries. These rivers were often used for trade routes, as they were relatively flat and easy to travel upon. The political boundaries set by these rivers are still with us today; in some cases the border of a country even follows where a river once flowed.

 

Physical and geographic features of this region played a major part of political landscape in Western Europe not only because many towns were situated near them, but also because they affected what kind of laws would be passed and where cities could grow. They were used as trade routes, modes of transportation, and even food sources at this time, providing aspects that were both useful and necessary for survival. The people living in these towns by the rivers relied on them for many aspects of life. Fish was an important, consistent food source for communities living near these waterways. They also provided a route by which to travel between towns, spreading ideas and goods throughout Europe. Rivers were so integral to people during this time period that it is even easier to see just how much they shaped the political landscape, as many of the political boundaries were directly created by the rivers.

 

All of these activities had a strong effect on the political nature of Western Europe during this time period, as many political boundaries were directly shaped by the placement of rivers. This was an important factor in how Europe grew into what it is today; with the rivers acting not only as a trade route for merchants, but also affecting the kinds of laws put in place and even where cities could grow.

 

Without these rivers there would be no means by which people could transport goods, no food source from fish in the water or crops from their rich banks, and travel between towns would have been much more difficult. This all had a strong effect on the political landscape of Western Europe at this time, creating boundaries that essentially followed where rivers used to flow. These rivers were so important that they not only created the political boundaries, but also where cities would be built and what kind of laws were made.

 

All in all, rivers have provided people with many aspects that have been essential not only to their survival, but also what kind of laws and regulations would be put in place because they affected trade and transportation. They shaped the political landscape in many ways, creating boundaries from where rivers once flowed and even influencing where cities could grow.

 

Question #2 (394 words)

 

In many ways, the geographic location of a nation can dictate its economic performance. Throughout history, certain patterns have arisen that explain why some nations are prosperous and others are not.

 

The geographic factors that contributed to the affluence of northern Europe were temperate climates, navigable rivers for trading and farming, and ample natural resources. The climate provided for agriculture, making it easy to farm throughout the year. From about 400-1700 AD, much of this land was divided between Germanic tribes and the Roman Empire. The rivers made it easy to travel by boat and allowed trade amongst the people of this region. Finally, there is a rich supply of natural resources such as coal, iron ore, and tin that supported the growth of manufacturing and trading in northern Europe.

 

Southern Europe was geographically disadvantaged with scant internal trade routes or navigable rivers for transportation, whereas countries in the north had more easily navigable waterways.

 

Southern Europe has poorer soil than the north which made it impossible to grow cereal crops for food. It was forced to import cereal goods from the north in order to feed its population. Proximity to Asia through the Middle East enabled southern European countries like Spain and Portugal to import spices and other luxury items from Asia.

Since southern Europe did not have good soil for producing good crops, the only thing they could trade were commodities like gold and silver. Southern European countries had a tendency to spend their money on luxuries that northern Europeans would barter for food. By doing this, the south became impoverished while the north became wealthy.

 

The method of travel for people and goods was also very different in the south compared to the north. Internal trade routes were rare in southern Europe because there were no navigable rivers. The only way commercial goods could be transported internally was by pack animals or by mule trains which increased costs tremendously since mules required food on the journey.

 

Northern Europe, on the other hand, was abundant with navigable rivers like the Thames and the Rhine Rivers. These waterways were used for international trade by northern Europeans who benefited greatly from it; northern nations became prosperous because of this economic opportunity while southern nations became impoverished. The difference in geographic factors between southern and northern Europe were the predominant explanation for why some nations were prosperous and others were not.

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