Name: Yuzhu Gong Due Date: 2015/1/13
Article Title: Wading in Waste
Author/Source: Scientific American
Article Title: Wading in Waste
Author/Source: Scientific American
A: List major ideas, concepts or key points - point by point
- Moving downstream with animal feces in storm water runoff or with human waste in sewage overflows and septic-tank leaks, the waterborne microbes can cause liver disease, respiratory infections and potentially fatal gastrointestinal disorders.
- The construction of so many homes, roads, shopping centers and parking lots has disrupted the natural drainage systems in coastal areas, and wastes that were once filtered by forests or wetlands are now regularly fouling marinas and beaches.
- Preserving wetlands is an effective way to guard downstream waters from microbial pollution.
- Fecal microbes from septic systems in the Florida Keys can enter coastal waters within hours.
- The reason for 85 percent of beach closures and advisories is the detection of excessive fecal bacteria.
- To protect shellfish consumers, state agencies are required to post signs in polluted shellfish beds notifying the public that harvesting clams, mussels or oysters there is illegal.
- The problem is particularly worrisome along the coast because the microbes pollute shellfish beds and areas used for recreation.
- Whereas sewage treatment plants remove harmful bacteria and other contaminants from their effluent, storm water runoff is usually untreated.
- Urban and suburban watersheds receive a steady influx of manure from domestic animals such as dogs and cats and from wildlife such as raccoons and squirrels.
- Microbial pollution also poses a serious danger to people involved in common recreational activities such as swimming, surfing, wading, diving, snorkeling, waterskiing and boating.
- We found that the average fecal coliform counts were generally higher in the creeks with more people and with a larger percentage of developed land in their watersheds.
B: Summarize the author's main point or idea
Summary of Author's Main Points:
In recent years, millions of Americans have moved to coastal areas, particularly in the Southeast, to take advantage of their balmy climate, recreational opportunities and natural beauty. Unfortunately, rapid and poorly planned development is spoiling this beauty in a shocking way: a growing number of beaches and shellfish beds along the coast have been contaminated by disease-causing microorganisms coming from animal and human wastes. The reason for 85 percent of the closures and advisories was the detection of excessive counts of fecal bacteria in the beach waters. Contamination by fecal bacteria is the leading cause of beach closures and advisories, which now affect one third of the country’s monitored beaches. Hazardous microbes also plague marinas, tidal creeks and shellfish beds. To fight microbial pollution, coastal communities can encourage the preservation of green spaces, install filters in storm drains and prevent the placement of septic tanks in areas with porous soils.
Summary of Author's Main Points:
In recent years, millions of Americans have moved to coastal areas, particularly in the Southeast, to take advantage of their balmy climate, recreational opportunities and natural beauty. Unfortunately, rapid and poorly planned development is spoiling this beauty in a shocking way: a growing number of beaches and shellfish beds along the coast have been contaminated by disease-causing microorganisms coming from animal and human wastes. The reason for 85 percent of the closures and advisories was the detection of excessive counts of fecal bacteria in the beach waters. Contamination by fecal bacteria is the leading cause of beach closures and advisories, which now affect one third of the country’s monitored beaches. Hazardous microbes also plague marinas, tidal creeks and shellfish beds. To fight microbial pollution, coastal communities can encourage the preservation of green spaces, install filters in storm drains and prevent the placement of septic tanks in areas with porous soils.
C: Reaction to the article
My Own Thoughts on the Topic:
Without careful planning and the political will to protect coastal resources, the gorgeous beaches, sparkling bays and tranquil tidal creeks will become nothing but hazardous receptacles of our waste. We must ensure that unchecked development does not ruin the very qualities that brought people to the coast in the first place. We should preserve more green spaces. in order to make the situation not to happen again.
My Own Thoughts on the Topic:
Without careful planning and the political will to protect coastal resources, the gorgeous beaches, sparkling bays and tranquil tidal creeks will become nothing but hazardous receptacles of our waste. We must ensure that unchecked development does not ruin the very qualities that brought people to the coast in the first place. We should preserve more green spaces. in order to make the situation not to happen again.