CATASTOPHIC EVENTS IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEMSHURRICANESConditions for formation: _________________ waterLight upper-level windsPre-existing disturbance of thunderstormsHurricanes produce _____________ surface ___________ and storm surges

HOW HURRICANES IMPACT AN ECOSYSTEMWindTrees ___________________, snapped, or ______________________Storm SurgeRising of __________________ levelsThe storm surge causes sediment to _____________________ and shift.Coastal wetlands and barrier islands take the brunt of the storm surge. Sediment erosion and deposition often affect ____________________ beds Coral _______________________________Sea grass bedsSaltwater InvasionSaltwater intrusion in lakes, streams, and wetlands change ecosystems (e.g. causes massive fish kills)The storm surge ____________________ tree species that are not ___________________ of salt water.FLOOD Most ____________________ of all natural hazards.Occur during _________________ rains, when rivers __________________, when ocean waves come onshore, when snow melts too fast, or when dams or levees break.

ENVIRONMENT IMPACT OF FLOODS ON ECOSYSTEMSFloods are important in maintaining ecosystem habitats and soil ___________________Nutrients carried by floodwaters can benefit _________________ and cropsExpand habitats for fish, birds

EFFECTS OF FLOODS

Destruction of ___________________________Significant _____________________ can lead to more frequent flooding Water __________________________Damaged drainage systems release raw sewage Damaged buildings can be a source of toxic materials (e.g. paint, pesticide, gasoline)ANIMALSFlooding ________________ many wild animals from their natural habitats.Domestic animals are also left ______________ homes after floods.

TORNADOESA ____________________ column of air reaching from a thunderstorm to the ground.The most violent ___________________ can have winds up to 300 mph.

TORNADO EFFECTS ON ECOSYSTEMSTrees damaged, stripped, or _________________________ Open forest canopies to ___________________Fallen trees offer shelter for small animalsPotential destruction of waste storage or treatment facilities or chemical plantsVOLCANOES EFFECTS ON ECOSYSTEMSHabitats _______________________________ are killedAcidity and temperature change of water

HUMAN-MADE DISASTERS ON AN ECOSYSTEMToxic run-offDeath of multiple ________________Human ______________________Disruption of habitats

Invasive SpeciesAn __________________ species can be any kind of living organism that is not native to an ecosystem and causes harm.Invasive species are primarily spread by human activities, often unintentionally. Invasive species cause ____________ to wildlife in many ways. (Example: competing for resources, carrying ______________, killing other organisms,

and preventing other organisms from reproducing)

Oil SpillsOil spillsExxon ValdezSpilled 11 ____________________ gallons of crude oil into ocean near AlaskaStruck Bligh ReefBP Oil SpillDeepwater Horizon______________________ plan

IMPACT OF OIL SPILLSProlonged exposure causes health ______________________ in humansConsuming ___________________________ seafoodLoss of _______________________Many fish and animals lose homesBlocks entrance of oxygen in waterOil-soaked animals may __________________________MAJOR BP OIL SPILLBRITISH PETROLEUMBP is a global oil and gas companyFourth largest company in the worldBP operates in over 80 countries producing about 3.8 million barrels of oil per dayGULF DISASTEROn April 20, 2010, there was an explosion on BP’s drilling rig “_____________________ ___________________” in the Gulf of Mexico, near LouisianaThe oil spill caused the ________________________ largest environment _________________ in U.S. history

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThe well was officially sealed September 19, 2010 (5 Months Later)Total of about 4,900,000 barrels peaking 62,000 barrels per day were spilled. Crude oil is at about $100 per barrelAn area of 180,000km squared was covered affecting 50% of the 16,000 species in the Gulf of Mexico

HOW DO WE CLEAN UP THE MESS HUMANS HAVE MADE?

You are an engineer and we are going to solve this problem

Your goal is to clean up an oil spill and engineer a lifesaving product using your knowledge of oil spill cleanup efforts.

You will plan and design this product.

You will create a poster outlining your product.

You will create a sales pitch to BP to prevent this disaster in the future.

TOMORROW

10 Minutes: Oil spill cleanup planning

30 Minutes: Clean up the oil spill

10 Minutes: Reflection

ENGINEER A PRODUCT FOR BP

Plan your design using your cleanup from the oil spill in your science notebook. (Sketch, labels, thought process)

Design your poster. (Color and label)

Write your sales pitch on notecards to present.