Environmental Science © 03

Unit 6: Resources in the Biosphere

DDT and Birds of Prey
Who first discovered that the eggshells of some wild birds were thinning? How was the link between the insecticide DDT and thin eggshells shown conclusively? This article from the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center shows the graph of eggshell thickness that took a stunning dive in 1945 and explains the experiments that led to the ban on DDT.

Oceans in Peril
Search or browse this Smithsonian Institution site to see examples of ocean diversity, profiles of conservationists, and other photos and facts about marine biology and oceanography. This site also describes pollution, introduction of non-native species, habitat destruction, fishing issues, and global environmental changes.

Water Resources of the United States
The ultimate source for information about American water resources is this site from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). It includes maps showing national water conditions for the previous month and links to regional Web sites.

Superfund
Superfund is a program of the Environmental Protection Agency that investigates and cleans up the worst hazardous waste sites throughout the United States. Find out what this program does and what it has accomplished at this Web site.

EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works with various partner organizations to protect America's water resources. Here you can learn more about the EPA's five-star wetlands restoration program, national estuary program, and other programs for oceans and coasts.

Unit Project 6: Monitoring Local Water Quality

PlanetDiary: Oil Spill
This PH PlanetDiary backgrounder provides general information about oil spills as well as links to recommended Web sites with more detail.

EPA's Surf Your Watershed
What communities share your watershed? How much of it is covered by forest and how much of it has a high erosion potential? How many gallons per day does your watershed serve? You can locate your community's watershed and find out physical information, local environmental problems, and EPA projects for your area with this resource.

USGS Real-Time Water Data
This U.S. Geological Survey site gives you access to information about water levels in thousands of streams and rivers across the country.