Effects of Dumping Pig Manure into a Lake –The Simpsons Movie

Sonal Chagan

Abstract


This paper examines the environmental effects of disposing a silo of pig manure into a body of water the size of a lake. It was calculated that the concentration of manure once dispersed in the lake would be 1.3 g m-3. From the qualitative research it was found that eutrophication would occur and lead to effects that would cause damage to the organisms of the lake. Observable changes such as colour change of the water would also take longer to occur than suggested in the movie. This also applies to the potential genetic effects which would only affect aquatic organisms such as fish, and would take at least 1 month to become observable.


Keywords


Film; Biology; Eutrophication; Environmental pollution; The Simpsons

Full Text:

PDF

References


The Simpsons Movie. (2007). [film] United States: David Silverman.

Lakechamplaincommittee.org, (2016). Manure Happens - LCC. [online] Available at: http://www.lakechamplaincommittee.org/learn/lake-look/manure/ [Accessed 12/02/2016].

Chastain, J., Camberato, J., Albrecht, J. & Adams, J. (2016). CHAPTER 3 Swine Manure Production and Nutrient Content. 1st ed. [PDF] pp.4-5. Available at: https://www.clemson.edu/extension/livestock/camm/camm_files/swine/sch3a_03.pdf [Accessed 12/02/ 2016].

Rabalais, N. (2002). Nitrogen in Aquatic Ecosystems. AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, 31(2), p.102.

Scott, S. (2016). How Lakes Differ - Lake Scientist. [online] Lake Scientist. Available at: http://www.lakescientist.com/lake-facts/how-lakes-differ/ [Accessed 10/03/ 2016].

S. J. Lowe, S. Piazza, and P. Walsh. (2013). Estimates of surface area and volume for 25 lakes, Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, southwestern Alaska. Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Dillingham, Alaska.

Fao.org, (2016). Chapter 3: Fertilizers as water pollutants. [online] Available at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/w2598e/w2598e06.htm [Accessed 12/02/2016].

Synechocystis.asu.edu, (2016). Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 - Introduction. [online] Available at: http://www.synechocystis.asu.edu/ [Accessed 12/02/2016].

Waterencyclopedia.com, (2016). Algal Blooms in Fresh Water - river, algea, freshwater, effects, important, salt, system, plants, source, oxygen, human. [online] Available at: http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/A-Bi/Algal-Blooms-in-Fresh-Water.html [Accessed 12/02/2016].

SFGate, (2016). Scientists alarmed by ocean dead-zone growth. [online] Available at: http://www.sfgate.com/green/article/Scientists-alarmed-by-ocean-dead-zone-growth-3200041.php [Accessed 12/02/2016].

Cencoos.org, (2016). Colors of an Algal Bloom | CeNCOOS. [online] Available at: http://www.cencoos.org/learn/blooms/types [Accessed 12/02/2016].

Gray, L. (2011). 'Green slime' outbreak blamed on pollution, not just hot weather. [online] Telegraph.co.uk. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/earthnews/8684381/Green-slime-outbreak-blamed-on-pollution-not-just-hot-weather.html [Accessed 12/02/2016].

Landry, C., Steele, S., Manning, S. & Cheek, A. (2007). Long term hypoxia suppresses reproductive capacity in the estuarine fish, Fundulus grandis. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 148(2), pp.317-323.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.
We use both functional and performance cookies to improve visitor experience. Continue browsing if you are happy to accept cookies. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.
OK