It Doesn't Just End Up in the Sewers

Agricultural methods have taken a new height with farmers now using human waste as fertilizers. It's not uncommon to hear about farmers using animal waste as fertilizers. This however is the first time I ever heard of the use of human waste as fertilizers. So the question that is posed to me today is does this method benefit us? Or is it a method that will be harmful for the community.

First and foremost, what is biosolid? If you guessed the waste that comes out of our behinds, then you guessed right. There is however, more to biosolids. "They are nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment facility. " (1) Biosolids are basically our treated waste that can be used as fertilizers.

Although your stomach might not be able to handle the fact that our waste is used to fertilize agriculture, there are benefits that come with using it as such. Biosolids are organic and provide crops with the nutrients that are needed. It also reduces the need to use chemical based fertilizers. Biosolids are also considered to successfully restore land. Land that has been subject to construction sites could be revitalized by using biosolids. The biosolids improves the fertility of the soil and it also rebuilds the topsoil.

Another benefit that can come from using biosolids as fertilizers is that it can reduce erosion which in turn can protect the water quality. "Adding biosolids to soil also supplies organic nutrients that are released slowly to growing plants. These organic forms of nutrients are less water-soluble and, therefore, less likely to leach into groundwater or be carried away by streams and other surface waters." (2) With the benefits of using biosolids of fertilizers comes the cons. There aren't very many problems with biosolids unless they are not treated properly. If the biosolids aren't treated properly then it could pose as an health problem. Also there is a possibility that it might smell bad.

The use of biosolids on our agriculture can be viewed as a helpful method. Not only can we use this method to help the environment but it is economically efficient. "In communities where disposal costs have risen because of diminishing landfill capacity, biosolids recycling can lower a community's waste disposal costs." (2) I believe that using biosolids are a realistic alternative to the current agricultural practices. This method has been used all over the world and it seems to be working for them. As gross as it might be to use our own waste for planting, it helps us recycle, and has been proven to benefit the environment.

COMMENTS ON BLOGS

Inggrid Wibowo
Bridgette Abas

RESOURCES

1. "CWWA - FAQ - Biosolids." CWWA/ACEPU. Web. 06 June 2011. < http://www.cwwa.ca/faqbiosolids_e.asp >

2. "Biosolids.com | About Biosolids: Biosolids Benefits." _. Web. 06 June 2011. < http://www.biosolids.com/benefits.html >

3. "Agricultural Land Application of Biosolids in Virginia: Risks and Concerns - Home - Virginia Cooperative Extension." Publications and Educational Resources - Home - Virginia Cooperative Extension. Web. 06 June 2011. < http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/452/452-304/452- 304.html >

4. "Real Organic Agriculture: Using Human Waste as Fertilizer." Worldwatch Institute. Web. 06 June 2011. < http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5394 >

5. "Biosolids Benefits to Farmers - Garvey Resources INC - Lansdale PA - Consulting for Biosolids and Environmental Issues." Welcome to - Garvey Resources INC - Lansdale PA - Consulting for Biosolids and Environmental Issues. Web. 06 June 2011. < http://www.garveyresources.com/biosolids-benefits-to- farmers/ >

The Importance of Various Technologies to Understanding the Internal Body Systems

It is clear to see that the invention of many technologies have impacted our lives significantly. These various technology has helped us to understand our internal body systems. They have also helped us to diagnose and treat medical problems that may occur in the human body. Some of the technologies that help us to learn more about the internal body systems are:

ECG machine

The electrocardiogram also known as ECG is a machine that is used specifically for the heart. It helps in screening abnormalities in the heart. The ECG works by attaching electrodes to your arms, legs and chest. "The electrodes detect the electrical impulses generated by your hearts, and transmit them to the ECG machine." (1) Some of the things we can learn from the findings are the heart rate, damage to the various parts of the heart muscle and abnormal disturbances to the heart rhythm.

X-ray

For example a common technology that helps understand the body is the x-ray. There are two different types of x-rays, soft x-rays and hard rays. Soft x-rays takes pictures of the bone and the internal organs. Hard x-rays destroy tissue and is used in killing cancer.

CT scan

A CT scan or a CAT scan is technology that is used to look inside the body. It is technology that uses x-rays. CT scans are mainly used in surveying the brain, neck, spine, abdomen, chest and pelvis. "CT has revolutionized medicine because it allows doctors to see diseases that, in the past could often only be found at surgery or at autopsy. CT is noninvasive, safe and well-tolerated. It provides a highly detailed look at many different parts of the body." (2)

MRI

When you undergo a MRI scan doctors are able to retrieve pictures of most of the tissue in the body, bone and the internal systems of the body. To get these pictures the MRI uses "a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer." (3) The pictures are transmitted electronically and viewed from a computer. MRI images assist doctors to detect if there are any diseases and to assess a person's body.

Spirometry

Spirometry is the most common test to evaluate the function of the lungs. This test can show how well a person can breathe in and out. It is important to know this because how you breathe could be affected by such diseases like chronic pulmonary disease or asthma. To measure how well a perosn can breathe out you would use a spirometer.

I believe that the technological advances in the medical world has benefited the community significantly. Without the various technologies available to us we wouldn't be able to diagnose or treat sicknesses. It is important to understand the internal body systems because it assists in benefiting oneself. Understanding the internal body structure of the body would be close impossible without these resources as well. These various technologies are an important part in living a healthy life.

COMMENTS ON BLOGS

Claudia Luk
Carmina Chu

RESOURCES

1. "Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) Procedure Information Information by MedicineNet.com." Web. 05 Apr.2011. < http://www.medicinenet.com/electrocardiogram_ecg_orekg/article.htm >

2. "CT Scan." Web. 05 Apr. 2011. < http://www.emedicinehealth.com/ct_scan/article_em.htm >

3. "MRI Scan." NetDoctor.co.uk - The UK's Leading Independent Health Website. Web. 05 Apr. 2011. < http//www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/examinations/mriscan.htm >

4. "X-ray Machine - Used, First, Body, Produced, Device, Medical Use of X-rays, What Are X- rays?, Modern X-ray Machines." Medical Discoveries. Web. 05 Apr. 2011. < http://www.discoveriesinmedicine.com/To-Z/X-ray-Machine.html >

5. "Spirometry | Health | Patient UK." Health Information and Advice| Medicines Guide| Patient.co.uk. Web 05 Apr. 2011. < http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Spirometry.htm >

Feeding a Growing Population vs Conserving Biodiversity

Every time I step inside a grocery store, the question that I always wondered was where did this food come from? The obvious answer that I would receive is from farms or factories. These places have been providing the community with different food resources. Though this is true, with our growing population it seems hard for the agricultural industry to keep up.

Productive livestock and crops could be seen to some people as the "best of the best" but if you rely on a few highly productive livestock and crop varieties there would be a lesser chance of genetic diversity. To reduce the genetic diversity of less productive breeds to become extinct could pose problems to the health of the breeds. The obvious benefit of highly productive breeds is that we would be able to distribute more food products. We are clear of these benefits but that doesn't mean we should reduce genetic diversity.

Although highly productive breeds may produce numerous amounts of crops, there still might cause some problems. Biodiversity allows species to mate with other species allowing the transfer of genetics. Imagine if the highly productive livestock and crop varieties carried a recessive gene for a type of disease and the less productive breeds carried the gene that reduces the risk of getting that disease. If the genetic diversity of the less productive breeds were to become extinct the highly productive breeds are sure to suffer.

"Maintaining genetic diversity within species is important for maintaining yield stability and crop ability to adapt to ever-changing environmental challenges and diseases." (1)

This topic is relatable to sustainable agriculture and industrial agriculture. Sustainable agriculture is a way of farming that tries to create products that is healthy for everyone.Some farmers stay away from things like pesticides, biotechnology, and mechanization. Instead they use different manners, for example like growing products organically. Industrial agriculture is the term used to describe factory-made livestock and crops. Most food products now-a-days are made by using industrial agriculture. This type of agriculture has made food plentiful and cheap but has caused problems to the community like erosion, deforestation and contamination.

Industrial Agriculture

Sustainable Agriculture

It is clear what our choices are:

• several food products for a cheaper price but leaving us with the consequences that deal with the environment. OR
• buy products that are healthy and doesn't harm the earth but costs more in terms of prices

With the rapid increase of the global human population it seems hard for the agricultural industry to keep up. If they continue to use industrial agricultural they would be able to make food for the growing population but at what cost? There would be a loss of biodiversity and as discussed earlier it is hurting the environment. In my opinion, the benefits on a few highly productive breeds do not outweigh the risks of reducing genetic diversity. Most of us would agree that genetic diversity is healthy.

REFERENCES

1. Industrial Agriculture
2. Importance of Diversity
3. Sustainable Agriculture
4. Agriculture Today
5. Impotance of genetic Diversity in Livestock

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