Don't Waste Waste!

The term ‘biosolid’ is used to describe all treated waste from sewage treatment plants, but the only thing we think of when we hear the term is – excuse my indelicacy – poo. In the past, untreated sewage water had been casually discharged back into the environment without the slightest care for its negative impacts. However, improvements in filtration systems make it possible for the sewage material to be thoroughly filtered, resulting in clean water that’s being discharged into the environment, and leftover residue: biosolids. (To the right: Cartoon depicting how biosolids are made!)

(To the left: Slightly unappetizing picture of feces used in agriculture...)

Over the years, biosolids have acquired much popularity in the agricultural industry. Many farmers who act as stakeholders of this innovative method agree that the use of biosolids in agriculture has significantly benefitted their farms. On average, municipalities of Ontario produce 300 000 tonnes of treated sewage annually. The waste would generally be either incinerated or put into a landfill, but now farmers have found a method of utilizing these resources that would otherwise go to waste: spreading it onto their farmland. It’s a good thing that the farmers could overlook the initial absurdity of spreading human waste all over agricultural land, because it’s evident that their initiative brought many advantages. Containing a number of nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen that are typically used by farmers in fertilizers, biosolids are known to be extremely beneficial to the soil. Additionally, the variety of micronutrients it contains improves crop production and reduces the dependency on chemical fertilizers. The organic matter in biosolids also acts as a bond between soil particles to reduce erosion. Disturbed lands like old construction sites or landfills are being reclaimed with the help of biosolids that act as an excellent top soil in providing the land with the fertility it needs to recover from previous trauma. Biosolids are even being used as top soils for recreational areas like parks and sports fields, but I’m dubious as to how many people would want to play in a field of their own feces! Even more, biosolids have even been successfully fed to cattle as 10-20% of their diet with no apparent health effects!... ew. (To the left: A farm that uses biosolids to grow crops!)

On the other hand, many people are still hesitant about converting to this method due to several of potential risks. It’s always a concern that the biosolids will be exposed to pathogens – i.e., disease causing organisms – like bacteria and protozoa. Not only does this directly affect our food sources, but it could also leach into and contaminate our water sources. Furthermore, sometimes biosolids are mistreated and results in contamination of heavy metals like lead and chromium that would have incredibly dangerous effects if applied to agricultural land.

Nevertheless, I still say yes to biosolids! The never-ending list of benefits outweighs the potential risks that are common among every agricultural method anyways. Not only do biosolids benefit the fertility and crop production of the farm, but think of the efficiency! For once, human waste is waste no more! Once people get past that initial appetite-losing thought, they’ll come to recognize its many assets!

I commented on:

Agatha Choy's Love your organics; Love your poop

Albert Gevorkian's Recycle Poop

Sources:

"Biosolids.com | About Biosolids: Biosolids Benefits." _. Web. 09 June 2011. .

Janssen, Don. "What Are Biosolids?" University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension in Lancaster County. Web. 09 June 2011. .

"Sewage Biosolids - Managing Urban Nutrients Responsibly for Crop Production." Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs / Ministère De L'Agriculture, De L'Alimentation Et Des Affaires Rurales. Web. 09 June 2011. .

"Water FAQ's." Resource Library for the Environment and the Law. Web. 09 June 2011. .

"WQ427 Benefits and Risks of Biosolids | University of Missouri Extension." University of Missouri Extension Home. Web. 09 June 2011. .

Stethoscopes are sooooooo yesterday

Among the many benefits that the technological era has brought, perhaps none is as significant as the achievements that scientists have made in healthcare. These innovative scientists recognize problems and make alterations to existing methods and devices in order to aid research regarding our internal systems.

Previous methods of monitoring the digestive system have involved invasive and uncomfortable devices that explore the long, winding passages of our digestive tract. The invention of the swallowable sensor – a wireless capsule the size of a large vitamin pill that monitors the digestive system as it passes through the digestive tract – has significantly changed methods of diagnosis. Now clinicians can easily identify disorders in the digestive system through the information on acidity and pressure levels that a receiver worn by the patient collects.

(^The swallowable sensor is the same size and shape as a large pill and would generally be ingested in the same manner)

As well, recent discoveries have made it possible for tiny chips to mimic the functions of the human circulatory system down to the irregular beats of the heart. This makes it possible for scientists to monitor the endothelial cells lining the inner walls of blood vessels which, as a result of the impacts of blood flow differences in speeds and rhythms, are partly responsible for many cardiovascular diseases. Tiny pins move up and down to plunge fluid through the system of channels and valves that are drilled into the chip. A software program regulates the flow of the fluid through the channels to imitate the beating of the heart. Blood flow can also be altered to represent that of an athlete or a couch potato. Consequently, scientists have gained a much broader knowledge of the mechanical effects of blood flow and the role that certain cells play in cardiovascular disease.

Similarly, Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) scans have made diagnosis and treatment of many disorders convenient, accurate and painless. Two-dimensional x-ray images are compiled to display cross-sectional diagrams of the body’s internal systems. If necessary, these 2-D images can also be assembled to form a detailed 3-dimensional view of the entire body. CAT scans create an accurate guide for treatment and placement of instruments. Since the invention of the CAT scan, doctors have been able to easily diagnose many internal diseases such as cancer, blood clots, fractures, cysts and infections. Today, CAT scans are commonly used in hospitals to aid in the analysis and cure of many bodily disorders.

(^A 3-dimensional CAT scan image of the head)

Among all of these major leaps in technological discovery are a number of Canadian contributions. In 1840, a Canadian discovery led to the development of anaesthetics which rendered surgery painless. As a result, doctors had increased flexibility in conducting surgical operations and diagnoses on patients. Later on, Joseph Lister went further to prove that the rate of recovery of patients was increased drastically with the disinfection of wounds. Evidently, Canadians have collectively chipped in quite a bit to our current healthcare methods!

As technology continues to progress, the improved understanding of our internal systems will only continue to aid in the recovery from and elimination of bodily disorders that plague our world today!

Commented on:

Inggrid Wibowo's Four for you, technology; you go, technology!
Connie Tang's Bombs and Robots, Perfectly safe technologies

Sources:

"Circulatory System on a Chip Lets Scientists Mimic Heartbeat." PhysOrg.com - Science News, Technology, Physics, Nanotechnology, Space Science, Earth Science, Medicine. Web. 05 May 2011. .

"CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - Why Are CT Scans Performed on MedicineNet." Web. 05 May 2011. .

Humphries, Courtney. "Swallowable Sensors - Technology Review." Technology Review: The Authority on the Future of Technology. Web. 05 May 2011. .

The Canadian Encyclopedia. Web. 05 May 2011. .

Sustainable Agriculture for a Sustainable Future!!

As the world population continues to escalate, many perceive the industrial production of crops and livestock as the only sufficient method of serving our increasing global needs of food distribution. These methods – namely industrial agriculture – use factories that rely on machinery, fossil fuels, chemicals and synthetic fertilizers to grow a concentration of ‘stable breeds’ over a large area. Industrial agriculture introduced a higher standard of living for customers who now have access to diverse selections of food for lower prices. Over the years, specialized farming practices that focus on the bare minimum that must be inputted in order to achieve a sufficient product have proven to be effective methods of producing large quantities of food. (Above picture: acres of corn stalks in an industrial farm)

However, the reliability of this form of agriculture must also be taken into consideration. Current forms of industrial farming depend heavily on the exploitation of cheap resources. With the rate of consumption and the excessive damage that we’ve inflicted upon the environment, it’s reasonable to say that these resources won’t be available to us for much longer. Industrial agriculture is largely a money-oriented business that disregards the symbiotic relationship between humans and the environment. As a result, these forms of farming have caused adverse effects on the environment, including the excessive use of water, energy, and industrial chemicals, the pollution of arable land, water and the atmosphere, and the accumulation of pesticides in groundwater. Most importantly, the specialization of a crop over a widespread area – otherwise known as monoculture – severs the relationships crops have with the soil and other animals, thereby significantly damaging biodiversity. In an industrial farm, one breed of corn would be present over acres and acres of land. Supposing an infestation or plague was to hit the farm, every corn stalk on the field would suffer. Similarly, when each pest has to achieve resistance against one breed, adaptability to pesticides is accomplished much quicker.(Above picture: cows in a dairy farm kept in tight spaces with the bare minimum to produce milk)

Fortunately, sustainable agriculture is an alternative method of farming that is much more reliable in the long run. These methods emphasize the ecological connection between organisms and their environment. Some argue that there isn’t enough natural fertilizer to sustain the quantity of crops we require, but the truth is that animal manure is not, by any means, in deficit. In fact, manure is often thought of as a liability when really, it’s an exceptional asset to farming. The closed cycle of nutrients, energy, water and waste ensures the conservation of resources. Sustainable agriculture also increases soil fertility and health, and can even reverse the degradation of agricultural soils that industrial forms of farming have caused. By defeating monoculture and planting a variety of crops side by side, not only is the likelihood of survival enhanced, but pests will also be controlled due to the lack of constant food supply (as found in an industrial farm). Consequently, though it appears that industrial agriculture is the sole solution to our world’s growing food demand, it’s an unreliable method of farming that’s both harmful to the environment and subject to failure. (Above picture: a sustainable farm)

I commented on:

Derek Li's Stewardship of our Natural and Human Resources

Justin Valmores' Opt for Sustainable Agriculture or Go Industrial?

Sources:

"Costs and Benefits of Industrial Agriculture." Alberni Environmental Coalition. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. .

"Hidden Costs of Industrial Agriculture." Union of Concerned Scientists. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. .

"Modern Agriculture." College of Natural Resources - UC Berkeley. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. .

"Organic vs Industrial Agriculture: Can We Have the Best of Both?" Life More Natural. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. .