Mute swans essays

Mute swans essays Mute Swans were transported to the United States from Europe many years ago for very wealthy land owners that thought the swans would make a sophisticated and elegant addition to their ponds. The swans adjusted to their new environment very well, and over many years spread across much of the Eastern United States. Presently, the Mute Swans are being blamed for damaging the ecosystem in many eastern states. Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, the Carolinas, and Georgia have all reported the swans are causing extensive damage. Maryland has been hurt far worse than any of the other states. Specifically, Marylands sensitive Chesapeake Bay is approaching having its entire ecosystems thrown off balance due to the reduction of the bays aquatic grasses. A primary reason the bays grasses are diminishing is the Mute Swan is eating and destroying the grasses before they can grow back. The reduction of the Chesapeake Bays aquatic grasses is a serious problem that will continue to g et worse until the Mute Swan population is reduced. John Foster, a retired DNR employ and a current Environmental Consulting Services employ, agrees that the swans impact on the bay is extensive and the problem must be solved. Many barriers, however, are standing in the way which prevent people from solving the problem. Mute Swans, unfortunately, are considered wetland game birds which makes it illegal to kill them under Maryland state law. Marylands Department of Natural Resources applied for kill permits; citizens could shoot about sixty seven percent of the over three thousand swans in Maryland to reduce but not deplete the population (Humane Society). This particular plan to bring the number of swans to a manageable level was quickly dropped by DNR because the public responded very negatively to the idea of citizens killing the birds. Many animal rights activists took DNR to court and had this plan blo...

How to Grow Your Own Quartz Crystals

How to Grow Your Own Quartz Crystals Quartz crystals are silicon dioxide, SiO2. Pure quartz crystals are colorless, but impurities in the structure lead to beautifully colored gems, including amethyst, rose quartz, and citrine. Most natural quartz crystallizes from magma or precipitates from hot hydrothermal veins. Although man-made quartz is produced, the process requires heat not generally possible in a home setting. Its not a crystal most people want to try to grow at home  since perfect crystals require  specialized equipment. Synthesized quartz is made using the hydrothermal process in an autoclave. You probably dont have one of those in your kitchen, but you may have a smaller equivalenta pressure cooker. Growing Crystals With a Pressure Cooker If you are truly determined to grow quartz crystals at home, you can grow small crystals by heating silicic acid in a pressure cooker. Silicic acid can be made by reacting quartz with water or by  acidification of sodium silicate in aqueous solution. The main problem with either technique is that silicic acid has a tendency to turn into silica gel. However, it is possible to synthesize quartz crystals with a pressure cooker. In 1845, the German geologist Karl Emil von Schafhutl succeeded in making quartz the first crystal grown by hydrothermal synthesis. Modern techniques can be used to grow large single crystals, but you shouldnt expect fabulous gems from a home canning system. Similar Alternatives Fortunately, there are similar-looking crystals you can grow at home. One rather spectacular option is to make a fulgurite, which is the glassy shape made by a lightning strike or other electrical discharge into sand. If youre seeking a large colorless crystal to grow, try alum crystals.