With Spring flowers on the horizon, people are generally happy about getting rain so that the plants that make up a vibrant Spring are able to grow. However, sometimes this rain can cause more harm than good if it picks up extra contaminants and pollutants before it falls to the ground, turning it into acid Read More…

Even though wetlands do not bring the spectacle and awe like rain forests and coral reefs do, they are one of the most productive ecosystems in the world. By definition, a wetland is an area where water covers the soil, but they take on many different forms. The four main types of wetlands are marshes, Read More…

With the spread of globalization that began when ancient explorers crossed continents and eventually oceans came not only the movement of people, but also the spread of animals. Some of these animals are incredibly beneficial today, like chickens that originated in Asia and horses from the Europeans. However, some of the organisms that travel far Read More…

Lake Kivu is a scenic lake situated in Rwanda, Africa near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over two million people live on its shores and depend on fish from the lake for their food source. However, the lake itself is a ticking time bomb. A thousand feet underneath the surface lies massive Read More…

Coal mining has been a major industry in Pennsylvania ever since the 1700s, producing up to 25% of the United States’ coal. While Pennsylvania residents have benefited economically, the local environments are now paying the price. After a mine has been abandoned, lots of metal- rich deposits are still left behind. These compounds can then Read More…

Water is one of life’s necessities, and because of the human need for water, there has to be an easy way to take water with you on the go. In the past, ancient groups used pottery or even animal bladders to carry water. Today, we have much more convenient measures like plastic bottles. However, there Read More…

Milkshakes, iced coffee, chocolate milk- all of these drinks are arguably better with a straw, especially a bendy or colorful, striped one. However, the oceans are definitely better off without straws. Recently, the issue of straw pollution has come into the spotlight on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram after a video of a Read More…

Smoked salmon, a grilled tuna steak, fish and chips, or a platter of sushi are all popular dishes found across the world, but you better eat them while you still can. In fact, the billions of people who depend on fish as a main source of protein should start stocking up. As the population grows, Read More…

As a child, one of my favorite things to do was go to the local nature preserve and look for turtles and fish in the ponds. However, it’s scary to think that the kids of the next generation might not get that opportunity because of eutrophication. Eutrophication is the destruction of a pond ecosystem when Read More…

Water is essential for human life. Not only do our cells need it to function, but we also use it in many aspects of day-to-day activities: electrical power, cleaning, and recreation. In fact, the USGS reported that in 2015, 322 billion gallons of water a day were withdrawn from reserves in the United States. The Read More…