Domestic and Foreign Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Domestic and Foreign Policy - Essay Example According to the paper after the Spanish American war, the Americans wanted peace and stability of mind. Undoubtedly, the US could remain as an isolationist as it continued to expand outward. Even looking back at history, the country’s attempt to remain an isolationist during both World War II was not susceptible. The US verily had to enter both World Wars since it became a leader in the Western frontier. The United States returned to isolationist foreign policy since domestic problems plagued the country. Furthermore, Europe was in chaos itself and the US could not afford to indulge itself in such petty issues. However, one can argue that the isolationist policy did have some ramifications towards American diplomacy. The United States embodied the foreign policy of isolationism into an international role because it wanted to strengthen its capitalistic economy, address reform, acknowledge immigration and continue to pursue its beautiful American dream even though it lost thre shold in foreign affairs. The roots of isolationism were well established years before independence. A brilliant testament towards this theory can be clearly seen through the decision of the Continental Congress to reject help from France during the War of 1812. The notion of America to remain independent was because of the exerted influence by the forefathers and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. During the 1800s, the United States expanded its horizon in North America and commenced to build an empire in the Caribbean and the Pacific with its traditional isolationistic policy. It fought the  Mexican War and the  Spanish-American War  without assistance from any other nations. Thus, the isolationism theory that oozed out of American diplomacy can be traced as far as the colonial era. The Monroe doctrine was one of the most pivotal documents that embodied the non- interventionist policy that dominated American affairs.

Climate Change - Global warming Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Climate Change - Global warming - Research Paper Example So speaking about climate change we don`t mean the present day changes but we look them through in the comparison with many years` data. Climate includes such features as the average temperature, amount of the rainfalls, number of sunny days and other changeable parameters which are different in the different places of the Earth. At the same time there are some processes that can influence not only conditions of the particular region but large territories on the planet. So we can speak about climate change. There are some definitions of this term that is widely used today. The Oxford dictionary (2014) gives us the definition â€Å"A change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.† and the NOAA (2014) defined it as â€Å"A non-random change in climate that is measured over several decades or l onger. The change may be due to natural or human-induced causes.† For determination of climate change such indexes as changes of the average weather parameters and changes in the frequency of extreme weather phenomena are used. The reasons cause climate changes are dynamic processes on the Earth, external influences such as changes in the sun emanations and in the recent years - human activities. Modern climate change towards the warming is called â€Å"Global warming†. There are a lot of investigations that indicate changes of meteorological indexes and their influence on global climate changes and also the human life. The work of Sippel & Otto (2014) is focuses on a recent hot and dry summer with exceptional multi-day heat waves. Their own results and analyses of the literature demonstrate that intensity and frequency of monthly and 5-day warm temperature extremes in summer have increased

Water is an essential component in our life

Water is an essential component in our life CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Water is an essential component in our life and it can be found in a very large quantity on the earth. Without water, there would be no living plant and animal. The water consumed by human originated in various forms and from various sources (Baba >et al., 2008). Lately, the popularity of bottled mineral water with consumers has increased due to the increasing contamination of water resources. According to the International Bottled Water Association (2000), natural mineral water is water that clearly comes from underground sources. It is distinguished from ordinary drinking water because it is characterized by its content of certain mineral salts and their relative proportion and the presence of trace elements of other constituents. Besides that, natural mineral water is also defined as groundwater that obtained directly for human consumption from drilled or natural sources from underground water (Malaysias Food Regulation, 1985). Nowadays lifestyles have moved most of the population towards the portable and convenient bottled mineral water. With a lot of bottled mineral water brands available in the market ranging from high end names like Evian to local brands like Spritzer and Mesra, todays consumer has lots of choices thereby making it necessary for the manufacturer of bottled mineral water to come out with unique strategies to stay up to date in this highly competitive market. Bottled mineral water has become an importance habit in peoples everyday lives. Bottled mineral water may even be needful, in case of temporary tap water contamination. Whatever be the reason, the trend towards consuming bottled water is predicted to increase in the coming years. Bottled water has been steadily growing over the past three decades due the dynamic sectors of the food and beverage industry. Water has endurances and sales appeal in any food service segment. It also free of sugar, calories and alcohol, and outruns juice, coffee and soda as a beverage for all day parts. Bottled mineral water consumption in the world is increasing by an average 7% each year, inspite of the fact that bottled mineral water has a higher price. The convenience of bottled water that can be easily purchased at retail outlets and easy to get rid of is the major factor leading many to purchase bottled mineral water. These factors have led to the increasing global production of bottled water, from estimated 142 billion liters in 2002 to over 173 billion liters in 2006. Danone, Nestle, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are the worlds top four bottled mineral water companies. Although Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are known as the big carbonated soft drinks manufacturers, they have also noted the potential in the bottled mineral water market and have been developing their brands and capabilities in this market. Although major consumers of bottled water are in Europe and North America, the most promising markets are in Asia Pacific with an annual growth rate of 15% (Frost and Sullivan, 2007). The increase in consumption in global with a high income is mainly due to the increasing awareness of the health preserving properties of water, both in its basic, hydrating function as well as a source of precious minerals. Table 1.1 shows how the world market of bottled water in the 2008, with Mexico being the highest consumption. Table 1.1: Per capita consumption of bottled water in leading countries (Beverage Marketing Corporation, 2008). Country Gallons Per Capita 2003 2008 Mexico 41.5 59.1 Italy 47.1 54.0 United Arab Emirates 25.4 39.7 Belgium 35.1 39.0 Germany 31.9 34.8 France 39.1 34.6 Spain 33.5 31.9 Lebanon 25.4 30.5 Hungary 16.2 29.2 United States 21.6 28.5 Switzerland 25.4 26.3 Austria 22.7 26.1 Thailand 20.3 26.0 Bottled mineral water is a profitable market in Malaysia. The market is set to undergo greater product differentiation with participants expected to expand into functional and to improve on packaging in order to obtain a higher share of the market. Competition is also predicted to increase with more private labels appearing in the market. Positive growth in this market has increased the interest of other manufacturers and distributors and the increasing competition is likely to support the growth in the coming years. In Malaysia, there are differences between Natural Mineral Water (NWM) and Packaged Drinking Water (PDW). Natural mineral water is defined as groundwater obtained for human consumption from underground water resources. It contains various minerals such as Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium. Therefore, all NMW must comply with the standards as prescribed in Schedule 26 (Regulation 360A (7)), Food Regulations 1985. Packaged drinking water shall be potable water or treated potable water other than natural mineral water that is sealed in bottles or other types of packaging and is for human consumption. The source for this PDW can be from public water supply, surface water or underground water. The simplest way to differentiate between these two types of bottled water is by the colour of the bottle cap. Multicoloured bottle caps are given for natural mineral water while white bottle caps are only for packaged drinking water Competition from water dispensed by vending machines, the price of bottled mineral water, and growing consumer awareness of the environmental impact of bottled mineral water are found to be restraining bottled mineral water growth in Malaysia. Furthermore, the increasing of consumers concern for the environment, both in terms of the wastes resulting from the polyethyleneterepthalate (PET) bottles and the effect on the ecological system from wide scale water extraction, is also one of the reason for some consumers to prevent from purchasing bottled mineral water. 1.2 Statement of problem Based on Latinopolous >et al. (1997), a serious health effect that may cause by groundwater contamination is the reason for the increasing of public concern about the quality of groundwater resource in recent years. In present, the public is getting more concerned about their health whereby they are more interested to know about the water they consume. The most severe contamination of groundwater was recently discovered, where millions of people are at risk and consumption of these heavy metals contaminated water has caused widespread death and disease (Nickson >et al., 1998). Heavy metals are critical in this regard because of their easy uptake into the food chain and because of bioaccumulation processes (Diagomanolin >et al., 2004). It means that concentration of a chemical will increase in our bodies over time. Our body absorbed these heavy metals from the environment and they are stored at a rate that is faster than they are metabolized or excreted from the body. In traces concentration, some heavy metals like copper and zinc are essential to maintaining good health and metabolism within the human body. But if the concentration level is higher enough, even beneficial metals can be toxic and poison us. 1.3 Objectives of the study This study tends to highlight the specific element of heavy metals present in each bottled mineral water. More specifically, the aims are: To measure the level of heavy metals in selected bottled mineral water. To compare and compile the selected analyzed water parameters with World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health (MOH) water quality guidelines. 1.4 Significant of the study This study focus on generating data that will provide information on the concentration of the elements found in selected mineral water for public purpose. The data will help us to know whether the mineral water content present is in the amount claimed by the manufacturers or not. This is important for human consumption purpose where the public have the right to know the exact content in bottled mineral water they consume and is the bottled mineral water is safe for drinking, relatively pure from heavy metals. Humans nowadays also depend on bottled mineral water rather than tap water due to lack of contamination and it has a better taste. The concentration of these metals in the mineral water may vary depends on the location of the source and the companys manufacturer. 1.5 Thesis outline Overall, this thesis consist of five chapters which purposely to assist in understanding and easy to organize though writing process. The chapters in this thesis have been organized as follows: Chapter 1 of this thesis discusses the background of the study, the statement of problem, the need for the study and lists of objectives. Chapter 2 generally discusses on the literature review which are the theory and argumentation of the previous researcher about the topic. In this chapter, there are explanations and details about the mineral water, classification and its characteristic, groundwater, groundwater contamination, drinking water quality, trace elements, human health effect, health related guideline, bottled mineral water and lastly indication of bottled mineral water. This chapter will help us in further understanding the concept and why this topic is significant to be studied. Chapter 3 more focuses on research methodology. In this chapter research methodology is more on the way to analyze the concentration of trace element by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS Perkin Elmer Series 200). It is divided into several parts which were sample collection and preparation, elemental analysis, quality assurance and control and also statistical analysis. Chapter 4 is focusing on the result and discussion. It also include the statistical tools to analyze the precision of the data obtain in order to have a good data. It also states the results and the data interpretation between the samples. Chapter 5 as the last chapter functions as a conclusion to the whole chapter in this thesis. It also consists of suggestion and recommendation for future study in improving the way of conducting the project. This is followed by references. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Water distribution Water is necessary for life due to its natural elements which play a central role and it is important in human nutrition (Naddeo >et al., 2008). Water is the fundamental constituent of animal organisms and it is the medium through which all metabolic reactions happen. Water is the medium for all biological processes and a basic and essential dietary constituent. In other words, water is essential for life and, therefore, must be available to all, adequate, safe, accessible wholesome and, above all, should not cause appreciable health hazards, as it is needed for all other types of food (Sciacca and Conti, 2009). Malaysia which is located in the humid tropics is generally endowed with fairly abundant rainfall of 3000 mm annually (about 990 million cu/m), of which surface run-off is around 57%. However, seasonal distribution and variation, both temporally and spatially, provide some regions to be occasionally water-stressed. 60% of rain falls between November and January annually. Fast flowing of economic growth in Malaysia in the recent years, combined with periodic occurrence of lengthy drought has brought the problems of water imbalance into sharper focus, especially where development is concentrated in water stress regions. There are more people than what a river basin and groundwater can support in some regions (JPS, 2008). From data compiled by the Department of Environment (2005), the overall trend points to a slow but steady becoming worse in the water quality of rivers around the country. River systems as a whole, with or without confining reservoirs, 97% are estimated to contribute to the raw water supply source. The increasing population growth, coupled with rapid agricultural and industrial development, the availability of small numbers of water resources to meet increasing water demand is fast becoming a pressing issue. Due to lack access to clean water resources, consumption of bottled mineral water increased (Al Fraij >et al., 1999). 2.2 Groundwater It is estimated that more than 50% of the worlds population depends on groundwater for drinking (Fry 2005). Groundwater is the only source of drinking water for many rural and small communities (Hani 1990). Groundwater naturally results from waters that infiltrate from the land surface and percolate to the underlying strata. Groundwater must be free from organisms that are capable of causing disease and also from minerals and organic substances that could produce adverse physiological effects to make it safe for human consumption. Drinking water should be aesthetically acceptable that it should be free from apparent turbidity, colour and odour and from any objectionable taste. Drinking water should also be at a relatively sensible temperature. Water meeting these conditions is described potable, meaning that it may be consumed in any desired amount without giving any adverse effects to humans health (Cotruvo and Vogt, 1990). There is high interest on the quality of groundwater all over the world due to severe problems of water stress and deterioration of water quality. The quality of groundwater highly depends on the composition o, the mineralogy, recharging water and reactivity of the geological formations in aquifers, the impact of human and industrial activities and the environmental parameters that can bring effects to the geochemical mobility of certain substances (Kouras >et al., 2007). 2.2.1 Occurrence of groundwater Groundwater forms by part of the natural water cycle and constitutes a major portion of the cycle. Voids, spaces and cracks between particles of soil, sand, gravel, rock or other materials can be a stored place for groundwater (William >et al., 1993). Groundwater is occurred in various types of geological formation and exists in permeable geologic formation called aquifers which can store and transmit water. In many areas of the world, water does not flow in and is not stored in large underground lakes or rivers. It is stored in and moves slowly through the aquifer. Groundwater resources are underutilized in most parts of Malaysia (Jasni >et al., 2006). The hydrogeology of Peninsular Malaysia could be simplified and divided into 4 major aquifers that represent in Table 2.1. Table 2.1: Types of aquifers found in Malaysia (Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia, 2004) Types Description Aquifers in Alluvial Deposits Limestone/Carbonate Rock Aquifers Aquifers in Sedimentary and Volcanic Rocks Aquifers in Crystalline Igneous Rocks Aquifers in the alluvial deposits occur along the coastal zones of Malaysia and are made up of Quaternary deposits consisting of gravel, sand, silt and clay. The extent, nature and composition of the alluvium vary at different localities. This type of aquifer is made up of carbonate rocks (limestone and marble). The quality of the groundwater is generally good but has moderate to high total dissolved solids due to soluble bicarbonates. These aquifers are represented by fractures within sandstone, quartzite, conglomerate and volcanic rocks. The water from these aquifers is generally of medium to good quality. Fractures within crystalline rocks and associated rocks, form this type of aquifer. The quality of water is generally good to excellent with low total dissolved solids. Based on Wilson >et al. (1983), groundwater comprises water from springs or from wells and boreholes used to catch water from the aquifers by means of pumps. Deep wells or boreholes provide usually water of excellent bacteriological quality. Groundwater is therefore often used without any treatment, except physicochemical ones to reduce hardness or eliminate off flavors and odors. The water pumped from boreholes or shallow wells, however, is easily exposed to pollution and contamination. Depending on the type of aquifer, the type of soil and its protective effect against pollution, the physicochemical characteristics of the water, and the levels of the microbial flora may be very low (Bischofberger >et al., 1990). 105-107 cfu/mL of microbial flora have been reported. In such cases, microbial and chemical contaminants may reach groundwater sources through wells, due to infiltration, leakage of solids at the surface, leaks in pipelines, effects of agricultural treatments, cross contam ination between aquifers, water fluxes due to rainfalls, etc (Wilson >et al., 1983). According to Aastrup and Thunholm (2000), groundwater can be considered both as storage of metals, as the movement in the groundwater zone generally is quite slow, and as a transporting agent for metals. In natural ecosystems it is the only agent for horizontal transport within recharge areas. 2.3 Groundwater consumption in Malaysia As surface water is readily available throughout the year, it is abstracted mainly for irrigation and domestic uses. Some pockets of the coastal region and is generally exploited by rural people to supplement their piped water supply can limiting the groundwater potential. Surface water represents 97% of the total water use, while groundwater represents 3%. About 60-65% of groundwater utilization is for domestic and municipal purposes, 5% for irrigation and 30-35% for industry (FAO, 2007). 2.4 Groundwater contamination Since the beginning of this century, we have been living in a sophisticated chemical world (Goodarzi and Mukhopadhyay, 2000). Groundwater contamination can gives major implications to humans health and the environment in urban areas (Dechesne >et al., 2004). The groundwater beneath polluted urban areas may be contaminated by heavy metals and trace elements and may contain a wide variety of organic compounds, all of which have a major effect on the water supply and the environment (Vidal >et al., 2000). In this chemical world, the pollutants that occur in our environment can be classified into two categories that are natural and synthetic. The natural pollutants are derived from the decay of plant substances, flow of water through rocks that contain fossil fuel and transportation as air or water borne components derived from volcanic eruptions or forest fires. Similar compounds, as those released naturally, may also be derived as a synthetic by product from anthropogenic sources. Ther efore, pollutants can be derived from a number of two sources in a natural ecosystem especially in the aquatic regime. The sources of some of the pollutants are often difficult to predict and (Goodarzi and Mukhopadhyay, 2000). Goodarzi and Mukhopadhyay (2000) also claimed that the distribution of inorganic elements in the groundwater is universal. They occur as suspended particulates or dissolved as elements, ions, or complex molecules. Some of them are toxic and carcinogenic to humans and other biohabitats. Based on Zhang (1993), rapid industrial development in the last few years has added huge loads of pollutants to our groundwater aquifer. Diagomanolin >et al. (2004) also postulated that the progress of industries has led to increased emission of pollutants into ecosystems. Contaminants can differentiate as inorganic or organic chemicals, radionuclides, and microorganisms. Mineral based and do not contain carbon are called the inorganic mineral. They may occur naturally or enter the watershed from farming or industrial discharge. Examples of inorganic contaminants are lead, nitrates, and arsenic. Organic chemicals contain carbon and access the watershed from agricultural and industrial run off. Volatile organic chemicals are persistent in the environment and have been associated with cancer and neurological and reproductive health effects. Examples include gasoline and degreasing and dry cleaning solvents. There are over 30 standards for synthetic organic chemicals, many of which are pesticides (Afzal, 2006) Based on Leeuwen (2000), there are many sources of contamination of drinking water. Widely they can be categorized into two categories that are contaminants in ground and surface water. The sources for drinking water production and contaminants used or formed during the treatment and distribution of drinking water. Contaminants in ground and surface water will range from natural substances leaching from soil, run-off from agricultural activities, controlled discharge from sewage treatment works and industrial plants, and uncontrolled discharges or leakage from landfill sites and from chemical accidents or disasters. Contaminants that occurred naturally are predominantly formed by inorganic compounds such as arsenic and manganese, which are derived from natural mineral formations. Organic compounds, pesticides, disinfectants and disinfectant by products are usually introduced by anthropogenic activity. Out of these pollutants, heavy metals are of major concern because of their persistent and bioaccumulative nature. Heavy metal is one of the most serious inorganic contaminants in drinking water on a worldwide region (Smedley and Kinniburgh, 2002). These heavy metals can enter into the groundwater system by weathering and erosion or anthropogenic due to industrial processing, agricultural run off and sewage disposal (Kaushik >et al., 2009). Heavy metals concentration can increase due to the industrial effluents, non-point pollution sources, as well as atmospheric precipitation (Klavins >et al., 2000). The presence of toxic pollutants in groundwater has to be avoided in order to preserve the environmental quality because it can bring about significant changes in the properties of water resources (Natale >et al., 2008). Anthropogenic activity has often been the reason for the mobilization of natural heavy metal deposits (Vidal >et al., 2000). Heavy metal contamination in drinking water sources is known widely and has give effects to the population for many generations. Volcanic, geothermal and mining activities, in conjunction with evapoconcentration in the arid climate, are the well known causes for the increasing levels of heavy metal concentrations in groundwater (Karcher >et al., 1999). Heavy metals can be mobilized from initially inert minerals through mining activity. Acid drainage waters from mining areas can be highly enriched with toxic levels of heavy metals (Nordstrom >et al., 2000). 2.5 Mineral water Mineral water may represent a good source of nutrition which is necessary for the needs of human body (Ekmekcioglu, 2000). Mineral water always contains various minerals and trace elements (Saleh >et al., 2001), and can be defined as water containing minerals which are natural compounds formed through geological processes or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic properties which gives good healing to any disease (Warburton >et al., 1992). Human beings required minerals for nutrition, growth, sustaining body functions and well being (Baba >et al., 2008). These minerals have various effects on the humans health (WHO, 2008). The demand for natural mineral waters is increasing due to the increasing of pollution in drinking water. The quality of drinking water is significant for health in both developing and developed countries worldwide (Cemek >et al., 2007). According to Wilson >et al. (1983), mineral water is drawn from underground sources such as a bor e holes or a springs. Mineral waters are different regarding to their composition and content in minerals. Natural mineral water that comes from the groundwater is the most valuable freshwater resource on the earth (Madan >et al., 1999) and it plays an important role in drinking water supply all over the world and is often preferred for drinking water supply and it deemed to be the best water for the consumption of human (Soltan, 1999). Natural mineral waters have long been used for medical purposes (Albu >et al., 1997). The term natural mineral water is defined as it originates in an underground water table or deposit, it differs from treated water in its original purity that is bacteriologically healthy and its content of minerals, trace minerals and other constituents, which must remain constant. Only natural mineral water has the characteristics that can benefits human health. Natural mineral water can be sparkling or still. During bottling, the carbon dioxide that causes carbonation also can be natural or added. Bottling is done at the source and treatments to make partial changes to the composition of or purify natural mineral water bacteriologically are prohibited (Cemek >et al., 2007). Mineral water run across highly mineralised rocks. The geological sources of natural mineral water are known as aquifers, which can be from different types, and they differ greatly in terms of their depth, horizontal extent, composition, and permeability. Water filtering underground flows slowly through deep permeable rocks and sediments and diffuses into the empty interstitial space of the rocks. Water picks up minerals and other elements depending on the chemical make-up of the strata while passing through the underground strata. This is why they have higher concentrations of minerals and trace minerals than other kinds of water (Botezatu >et al., 2005). According to Misund >et al. (1999), natural mineral water is characterized by its mineral content, trace elements or other constituents and, where appropriate, by certain effects, also by being in its original state, both conditions having been preserved intact because of the underground origin of the water which has been protected from all risk of pollution. The composition, temperature and other essential characteristics of natural mineral water must remain stable at source within the limits of natural fluctuation. In particular, they must not be affected by possible variations in the rate of flow. Mineral waters may be gaseous or non gaseous. Disinfections are not allowed in terms of treatment. The only treatment authorized is filtration or decanting and the addition or removal of carbon dioxide. Based on Petraccia >et al. (2006), mineral waters are of underground origin, protected from contamination, and microbiologically wholesome, present a peculiar and constant chemical composition, and have favorable effects on health. To ensure it is safe, they must be bottled at source and checked containers. Mineral water does not simply mean containing minerals in fact waters that run underground and are enriched with minerals by contact with rocks cannot be considered mineral waters unless they do not possess therapeutic properties. 2.6 Classification and characteristics of mineral waters Based on Petraccia >et al. (2006), natural mineral waters can be classified into potable waters, dietetic waters, and healing waters. Bottled dietetic waters showed that it can be used to restore salts and hydrate through experimental evidence and are useful in low sodium diets and provide the right calcium intake in particular conditions. Healing waters possess pharmacological and clinical properties related to prevention and treatment of specific pathologies. They are used in thermal establishments, under medical control, for drinking, irrigations, inhalations, and baths. The main classification parameters for mineral waters are rate of flow, temperature, freezing point, dry residues at 180oC, predominant ion composition, and predominant biological activity. The rate of flow of the spring must be stable, and ground water table must be deep, with a sufficiently large basin. Waters can be cold waters based on its temperature that is temperature at source up to 20oC and thermal water s that is temperature higher than 20oC. Based on the freezing point mineral waters are categorized into isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic. Freezing point is influenced by osmotic pressure and mineral concentration. Based on dry residues at 180oC that is total salts in grams after evaporation of 1 L mineral water at 180oC, waters can be divided based on their mineral contents. Table 2.2 shows the classification of mineral content in water whereas Table 2.3 shows the current Italian classification that is based on the predominant chemical elements resulting in the biological and healing effects of the mineral water. Table 2.2: Classification of mineral content in water (Petraccia >et al., 2006) Mineral content Dry residue (mg/l) Low >50 and Medium >500 and High >1500 Table 2.3: Current Italian classification (Petraccia >et al., 2006) Types Description Bicarbonate water bicarbonate content greater than 600mg/l Sulfate water sulfate content greater than 200mg/l Chlorinated water chloride content greater than 200mg/l Calcium water calcium content greater than 150mg/l Magnesium water magnesium content greater than 50mg/l

The Discovery Of The Electron :: essays research papers

The Discovery Of The Electron   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The electron was discovered in 1895 by J.J. Thomson in the form of cathode rays, and was the first elementary particle to be identified. The electron is the lightest known particle which possesses an electric charge. Its rest mass is Me 9.1 x 10 -28 g, about 1/1836 of the mass of the proton or neutron.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The charge of the electron is -e = -4.8 x 10^-10 esu

Explication of “Dulce Et Decorum Est” by: Wilfred Owen Essay

The tone is very harsh and he speaks very direct. He uses words that will shock you and leave you with a sick feeling. In the first stanza, the first two lines of the poem are, â€Å"Bent double, like old beggars under sacks/Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge†. This represents the men bent over carrying their belongings through the mud. They are being compared to as old beggars & hags, (miserable ugly old women). However, these men were young. In the third and forth lines, â€Å"Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs/And towards our distant rest began to trudge†, represents the tired soldiers heading back to camp. In the fifth and six lines, â€Å"Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots/But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;† this shows how tired the men were as if they were marching in their sleep. Many have lost their boots and their feet are bleeding. In the seventh and eighth line, â€Å"Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots/Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind. † This shows that the soldiers are so tired and can’t get away from the explosives that are falling behind them. In the second stanza, the first two lines of the poem are, â€Å"Gas! GAS! Quick boys! -An ecstasy of fumbling,/Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;. † These lines reveal that their enemies have released toxic gas into the air to try to kill them. All the soldiers were struggling to get on their gas masks as quickly as they could. The third and fourth lines of the poem are, â€Å"But someone was still yelling out and stumbling/And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime †¦Ã¢â‚¬  These lines describe a soldier who was stumbling all over the place due to the toxic gas. This man didn’t get his gas mask on in time. The fifth and sixth ines of the poem is, â€Å"Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,/As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. † These lines give you a mental image of the toxic gas. Another soldier is witnessing this man slowly dying. In the third stanza, the first two lines are, â€Å"In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,/He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. † These lin es show how this man is haunted by the sights he witnessed of his fellow soldier dying from the toxic gas. The third and fourth lines of the poem are, â€Å"If in some smothering dreams you too could pace/Behind the wagon that we flung him in,. In these lines, the speaker wants you to be able to witness and see what he actually saw during this war. He wants you to be able to picture it in your mind. Soldiers didn’t have time to mourn or care where to dispose of the dead bodies. The fifth and sixth lines of the poem are, â€Å"And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,/His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin;. † These lines describe soldiers dying. Their eyes are rolling back in their heads and they are questioning everything that they’ve ever been told about dying for your country. The metaphor â€Å"like a devil sick of sin† implies how horrible everything was and the terrible sights that they’ve witnessed. A devil is never sick of sin. The next four lines of the poem are, â€Å"If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood/Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,/Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud/Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,. † These lines give you a mental image of how disgusting the effects of the gas have on your body after it kills you. Your body breaks out in sores like cancer moving at an extremely fast rate. This was really a horrible way to die. The last three lines in the poem are, â€Å"My friend, you would not tell with such high zest/To children ardent for some desperate glory,/The old lie: Dulce et decorum est. † These lines are saying that you wouldn’t tell your child with enthusiasm what really goes on during the war. It isn’t at all what it’s cracked up to be. It takes a lot of mental and physical strength to be in the army. â€Å"The old lie: Dulce et decorum est† means â€Å"It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country. †

Finding Meaning in a Stolen Life Essay

It is said that all life does indeed involve suffering but it is what we make of this suffering that will determine whether or not we find meaning in our life. One must look within and around himself to create meaning in her life; one can finding meaning by creating works or doing deeds, experiencing things or encountering people, and choosing one’s attitude towards the suffering in her life. There will always be obstacles in the way to meaning—the tragic triad of pain, guilt, and death—but one must use this to fuel your drive to find meaning by maintaining tragic optimism—faith, love, and hope. Many people lead difficult lives, however, some find meaning and others choose not to. In the memoir A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard, Jaycee Dugard is put through what she describes as an â€Å"intolerable situation,† but manages to make meaning of the suffering in her stolen life. Jaycee Dugard has experienced tragic triad: pain, guilt, and death. She deals with pain throughout the entirety of her early life. The main source of her pain and suffering was Phillip who kidnapped and put her through hell on earth. Jaycee recalls the day Phillip took her—the first painful experience she had with the man that would strip her of her innocence. Jaycee recollects what was running through her mind at the time of her traumatic abduction: â€Å"Someone is dragging me and I am being lifted. My limbs feel like they weigh a ton. I try to resist and try to push away from farther into the bushes. The paralyzing feeling returns accompanied by a strange electrical current zapping sound. I am helpless to resist for some reason. † (9-10). It is not long after her abduction when Jaycee is put through an even greater mental test. She has been scare and alone since she was taken from her world on that faithful day and now Phillip would only make her more scared and alienated. Phillip does to Jaycee what nobody should ever have done onto them. She experiences pain physically and mentally when he rapes her and she remembers him trying to justifying her suffering: â€Å"He says it would be easier on me if I didn’t resist or struggle so much next time. He says it wouldn’t hurt as much. I think to myself, if you didn’t do it in the first place then it wouldn’t hurt at all. But I am too frightened by his act to say a thing in objection to him. † (31-32). Jaycee feels her first sense of guilt in her new life when she is given a kitten. Her kidnappers brought her home a kitten and she was happy but says, â€Å"I have begun to feel guilty for asking for her in the first place. I should have thought about the place we were going to put her. This is no place for a kitty. He says his aunt is an animal lover and will take her. † (41). She does not want the kitten to stay in the little room with her because she knows it is not fair for the kitten to not have a lot of space to run around and be happy. Her giving the kitten away makes her feel better because she knows it is not good for the kitten to be stuck in the room of suffering. She manages to get over this guilt but soon she is faced with a greater obstacle. Jaycee experiences death for the first time. It is not that of her own life but the death of one of her animals that brings her greater suffering she notes, â€Å"Blackjack lived a long life. Toward the end I took primary care of him and I was the one that found him when he died. It was very hard for me. At the time, I had made a cat enclosure which he would go in at night to keep safe, and that’s where I found him one morning†¦ I cried a lot for him. † (160). Jaycee was an animal lover and for her to find the cat she took care of dead was very hard for her. However, all of these experiences made her a stronger person. Jaycee did not allow the tragic triad to keep her from making meaning of her life. She kept searching. Jaycee Dugard was on her way to countering with two of the three parts of tragic optimism–love, and hope. She had children at a very young age and although she did not want them from Phillip or at the ages of fourteen and seventeen she loves her children very much. She loves both of her daughters, she did not want to give either of them up, stating, â€Å"I did it because that was the only thing I could do. I would do it all again. The most precious thing in the world came out of it†¦ my daughters. † (110). Her love for her two daughters fueled her positivity towards her adverse life. She was a very hopeful person all through her young life and her daughters gave her more of a reason to hold fast. Jaycee was constantly hoping that she would one day be emancipated. When she is first placed in the room out back, she hoped someone was looking for her and that they would find her one day to take her from home. Although she had a rough life from the age of eleven until the age of twenty-nine, she kept a very positive attitude by doing work and keeping busy. She found greater meaning in her suffering by creating works. She started a business—a printing company–with Phillip who has put her through endless torture. Over time she learned how to do it on her own and does most of the work for the company: â€Å"I work up a design and he takes it to the costumer and gets it approved when he brings it back to me, I print them on cards. The job turns out great and I am very proud of myself Phillip says that he thinks I should do the workups and he will get the jobs and help with the printing. †(127). Instead of weeping in sorrow for herself that her childhood and beginning of her adult life were taken away from her, she does work to make herself productive. This is good for her because instead of living in the existential vacuum, she feels like she is accomplishing something other than watching television every day like she used to and she feels important. . It takes a very positive person to find meaning in the kind of suffering Jaycee had to endure, and she embodied this person. She chooses to have a positive attitude towards being captured and enslaved. Throughout the time she was taken she kept a journal and instead of always writing about how much she misses her mom and wishes she was not with Phillip and Nancy, she wrote, â€Å"10 things that make me happy; 1. hearing someone laugh; 2. when my cats are near me†¦ 10. knowing someone loves me. †(183-184). Instead of thinking of all the bad in her life, she chose to stay positive and think of things she appreciates about life. Not everyone can do that, but she learned that staying positive is more meaningful. All life involves suffering as the main character Jaycee Dugard would know. She suffered a lot in her life from the time she was kidnapped up until she was saved eighteen years later. She suffers the first day she is taken. â€Å"I want my mommy. I want time to reverse itself and give me a do-over,† she cries about the situation she is in (10). Then it gets worse. Jaycee describes what is going on when she was thrown in the back of the car and taken to Phillips house where her suffering would begin: â€Å"A blanket is thrown on top of me and I feel a lot of weight on my back, I feel as if I can’t breathe. I hear voices but they are muffled. The car is moving. I want to get out of the car. I twist and turn, but something is pinning me down. † (10). She goes through a scarring experience as he puts her through the greatest suffering she will have to endure in her 18 years here. A few days after kidnapping Jaycee, Phillip takes advantage of her, â€Å"he stands back up and takes off all his clothes. I do not want him to do that†¦ I feel so helpless and vulnerable. I feel so alone. He lies on top of me. I can’t stop crying. † (31). She was raped and had to suffer through it because she had no other choice as she was too afraid of what he would do if she did not cooperate. Even after being raped and impregnated, she had to pretend she was not the mother of her children. She says that, â€Å"on the roof I felt like my pulse was going to jump out of my skin. I wanted to grab her and hold her. † (154). Phillip and Nancy wanted Jaycee to pretend that they were the parents of the children she gave birth to and that she was just their sister, but Jaycee did not want that. Jaycee wanted to be able to take care of her children and it killed her that she had to let Nancy do it. However, she did overcome the situation. When she was found and reunited with her real family, she wanted to meet with Nancy, â€Å"I wanted to see her for many different reasons, the biggest being closure. Telling her that what she and Phillip did was not okay in any way. † (243). Although her kidnappers took most of her life away from her, she still stood up to them in the end and wanted them to know she was a stronger person. Although Jaycee suffered a lot she did not let it get the best of her. She has made meaning of her life. However, it did not happen right as she was freed as she said, â€Å"my growth has not been an overnight phenomenon. Nonetheless it has slowly but surely come about. † (261). She is doing well now and both of her kids are in high school. She reunited with one of her friends from her childhood and now they are really close. She knows what they did to her was wrong but she said she got the most precious things out of it and that was her two daughters whom she loves a lot. She stays clear of living a provisional existence while she was captured and even after she was liberated, she didn’t go through moral deformity and bitterness. Sometimes, Jaycee looks at her life and thinks she thinks, â€Å"I don’t deserve it. † (267). Jaycee was a self-determinist and believed she had free will to make of her life what she wanted it to be. She utilized tragic optimism to resolve the tragic triad she had to go through. Jaycee kept a positive attitude towards her life and used this to create work and endure the experiences she had to go through and to find love, the greatest way to make meaning of one’s life, in the children she was forced to bare. She now knows that, â€Å"it’s the simple things that count,† and she has used that mentality to make meaning of all her suffering throughout her whole life (268). Citations 1. A Stolen Life Dugard, Jaycee. A Stolen Life. N. p. , n. d. Web. 22 May 2012. 2. Man’s Search for Meaning Frankl, Viktor E. Man’s Search For Meaning. N. p. : Beacon Press, 2006. Print.