You will have one week to complete this examination. The examination is to be turned in with homework problems.

Each part of the examination will be worth 25 % points, that is, 25% for the homework, plus 25% each for three essay questions, equals a total of 100%.

You may use any resources you feel is necessary to answer the questions. The first two essay questions can be answered using only your text book. The last question will require that you find, read, and interpret an article from the popular literature. You may also have to do some additional reading outside the text to gather the information required.

1. Chemical cycles and major components of the earth. Starting with a brief description of the ‘spheres’ making up the planet, describe the chemical cycle of a major nutrient element other than phosphorous. Point out how the molecular identity changes in space and/or time, and make the distinction between organic and mineral forms of the element. You should include the role of solar radiation in this cycle, and describe at least two mechanisms for interaction between the ‘spheres.’ Incorporate equations, e.g., Henry’s Law, where possible, pointing out what each term in the equation means, and how the equation is used to model the environment. Speculate how understanding the natural cycle may help understand pollution chemistry.

2. Aquatic Chemistry. This question will help you bring together the concepts of pH and pE. Draw a schematic diagram of a pond. Label the major physical strata and the major chemical reactions involving carbon dioxide and oxygen. Be sure to include the interfacial interaction with soil, air, and the biosphere. Next, write a description of your schematic diagram so that it may be understood by a scientist. In this narrative, write down the major chemical equations and briefly describe what their importance. Answer the following questions in the course of you description;

3. Literature interpretation The popular environmental literature is often riddled with emotional response (subjectivity) and misinterpretation of scientific facts (errors). This is tied in to the notion of "risk assessment" (to find out more about this, scan some articles on the risk assessment essays web site I have linked to). There are two main issues associated with risk assessment; scientific testing and statistics, and emotional response and public opinion. Scientists try to make objective decisions based on fact. However, the emotional aspects cannot be ignored. In this question, you will attempt to strip the emotional response to reveal the scientific facts.

a) Find an article in the popular literature (e.g., newspaper, web, magazine, etc.) concerning some aspect of aquatic environmental chemistry that interests you. The more popular the better. If your first choice cannot be interpreted as described below, choose another.

b) Read and dissect the article. Take note of that which is scientific fact, that which is an emotional statement, and that which is subjective or circumstantial. Make a list of what you perceive are the scientific, emotional, and circumstantial statements.

c) From your list of reported scientific fact, write a short summary of the important chemistry that may be taking place. You may have to do some reading in our Manahan text or other books to interpret the science. A good place to check for pollution chemistry is the U.S. EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov. Also list how this chemistry affects the natural environment. I can also help direct you to appropriate data. Remember, you can use any resource for this examination. But, you should document your source(s) using citations.

d) Consider the statement "men fear that which they do not understand and cannot see." Are there any emotional and circumstantial statements that reinforce this statement?

e) Speculate on the intent behind the article. For example, was it written to inform the reader about the science or induce concern or even fear over the issue and its consequences? Give evidence for your analysis from the list of scientific, emotional, and circumstantial statements.

f) I have also observed a trend for emotional statements concerning environmental issues that are beyond ones control. For example, we can avoid urban air pollution and take measures to control it. Consequently, people have less of an emotional response to urban air quality issues than to radioactive fallout (which we cannot see, do not understand, and have no control over). Do you see any evidence for this (either positive because we have no control, or negative, because we may control it) in the article you have chosen?

g) Finally, turn in your analysis, a copy of the article, and list any resources you used.