Importance of the Areas Studied by Geologist - Essay Example

Leadership Q1. The differences in how a scientist uses the word theory versus how a non-scientist might use the word According to scientists, the word theory is an explanation that has a wide depth into its explanation. The explanation that regards the world is normally based on facts. These facts in most situations have been repeatedly assessed through experiments as well as observation before their confirmation. To scientists, a theory has to be something that has been tested and its validity has been approved by the scientific body. First, hypothesis that is scientific in nature has to be formed, followed by collecting evidence so that the test to be done is accurate (Colwell&Ferguson, 2008). On the other hand, for a non-scientist, facts do not matter as what they normally consider to be a theory usually has evolutionary basis. Their claims in most cases are not testable and little can be confirmation of the theory suggested. Thus, in a non-scientist perception, a theory is a simple belief which has not undergone evolutionary process (Russel et al, 2011). Confusion on the word theory I think the word theory is confused by many individuals due to the fact that all try to explain the reason for existence of the different phenomena that take place in the world. To non-scientists, theory is more evolutionary as opposed to the facts that scientists provide (schlee, 2007). I believe that the evolution theory from the non-scientists view can never be proved but with the biogenesis law as a scientific theory, it is very easy to understand how creatures give rise to young ones who develop into maturity, hence, no confusion for the scientific term (Keeley, 2007). Reference Russell, P. J., Herz, P. E., & McMillan, B. (2011). Biology: The dynamic science. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. Colwell-Chanthaphonh, C., & Ferguson, T. J. (2008). Collaboration in archaeological practice: Engaging descendant communities. Lanham, Md: AltaMira Press. Keeley, P. (2007). Uncovering student ideas in science. Washington: Natl Science Teachers. Schlee, G. (2008). How enemies are made: Towards a theory of ethnic and religious conflicts. New York: Berghahn Books. Q1L. Less commonly known areas of geological studies The study of geology is wide as opposed to the perception of many individuals who only believe that it is all to do with studying rocks and the fossil fuels that come out of the rocks. Some of the key areas that geologists study are weather and climate variations, volcanic activities such as prediction of mountain eruptions. They are also involved in studying disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, storms, floods and whirlwind. Therefore, geologists are at the forefront in studying most of the natural hazards as well as the disasters that may come as a result the natural hazards. They are also helpful in discovering climate change and contribute to the ideas of causes of climate change. In addition, geologists study the earth and the way it came into being (Monroe, 2012). Importance of the areas studied by geologist Through studying natural hazards, it is possible to develop early warning systems of the disasters that may have been predicted. Climate change being a core issue currently, then geological studies helps the whole world to know some of the causes such as burning of fossil fuels and the use of CFCs. Therefore, we are able to mitigate the causes in order to reverse some of the effects, like planting of more trees instead of burning them (Spooner, 2011). Through their early warning systems, it is possible to reduce the number of individuals who could be harmed, for example prediction of tsunamis and earthquakes. The sub-branches of geology as geochemistry, dendrology and geophysics are very important areas for study under geology. This is attributed to the fact that gravity and the magnetic properties on earth should be well understood as well as the seismic zones (Pipkin, 2008). The minerals that are a composition of the rocks can be understood through the study of geochemistry. These properties are important as the minerals characteristics are put into consideration before being put into use. It is important to know that marble can easily react with acids; hence using marble in areas that are humid with acidic conditions is not advisable. Hence, the study of geology is important in our everyday life activities (Wayne et al, 2011). Reference Monroe, J. S., & Wicander, R. (2012). The changing earth: Exploring geology and evolution. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Spooner, A. M. (2011). Geology for dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Pipkin, B. W. (2008). Geology and the environment. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole. Wayne, T. K., Bailey, M. J., & Bailey, M. J. (2011). American women of science since 1900. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO. Q2. Contamination of ground water Ground water is believed to be the most safest and reliable for consumption when compared to surface water. This belief emanates from the fact that surface water encounters very many pollutants like factory waste which can have detrimental effect to human health. Ground water can even have worse pollutants if the aquifer allows soluble chemicals into it, hence leading to harmful effect to the households that have consumed this water. Although surface water can easily be purified in a cheaper way, ground water has a very costly procedure of purification. One of the widely known incidents of ground water pollution is the incidence that occurred in Taiwan, Thailand and China in Asia in the year 2007. This was mainly as a result of arsenic compounds which led to devastating health effects (Landmeyer, 2011). Resolution of ground water problems One of the greatest pollutants of ground water is the use of septic tanks which is widely used in the Asian countries. If the waste that comes from the septic tanks are not disposed in right way, then the health of many individuals are at a risk. It is therefore, important that proper waste disposal methods are incorporated. More so, the wastes should be treated before their disposal to reduce their toxic levels. The construction of septic tanks should also follow the standards that are required by environmentalist (Thangarajan, 2007). All the companies that produce hazardous waste should legally acquire an operation license and use proper methods of disposing their wastes like oil, paints and medicine. Another major contributor to ground water pollution is chemicals leached from landfills. It is therefore, important that landfills follow the standard measures that will not allow leaching of the toxic chemicals into the ground which can easily be dissolved in underground water (Turton et al, 2007). The underground storage of products that can easily contaminate water should be regulated and if possible stopped. Chemical products and petroleum substances like gasoline, oil and diesel should use other modes of transport and not solely rely on underground pipelines which are bound to leak as the maintenance of the underground pipes can be very expensive ((Swartjes, 2011).). Reference Landmeyer, J. E. (2011). Introduction to phytoremediation of contaminated groundwater: Historical foundation, hydrologic control and contaminant remediation. Dordrecht: Springer. Swartjes, F. A. (2011). Dealing with contaminated sites: From theory towards practical application. Dordrecht [etc.: Springer. Thangarajan, M. (2007). Groundwater: Resource evaluation, augmentation, contamination, restoration, modeling and management. Dordrecht: Springer. Turton, A. R., & South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. (2007). Governance as a trialogue: Government society science in transition. Berlin: Springer. Q2L. Formation of metamorphic rocks Metamorphic rocks come as a result of exposure of parent rocks like sedimentary and igneous being subjected to dynamic pressure and heat. The variation of heat and pressure can be as a result of the depth that the original rock lays; hence so much weight exerted on the parent rock which, results into change in material composition in terms of the layers of original rock (Oxlade, 2011).When the sedimentary or igneous rock is exposed to plutonic heat and fluids that are hot, they can be transformed into new minerals. The new minerals emerge due to the process of recrystallization of the minerals that existed previously which disrupts the previous layers and bands thus forming new ones. The chemical change of the minerals is what results into metamorphic rocks (Stille, 2008). Example, composition and texture of a metamorphic rock One good example of metamorphic rock is limestone rock which is changed to marble when heat and pressure is subjected to it. Marble rock has a white, black or pink color and has unfoliated texture. Limestone rocks which result to gneiss are mostly found in the coastal regions due to the conditions that favor their formation and the presence of calcium carbonate which is their main composition (Fetes&Fetes, 2011). It is good to know more about metamorphic rocks as they can easily be mistaken to be carrying fossil fuels which they lack. In addition, they react very easily with acids hence the need to be careful when handling this type of rocks. As opposed to other mineral rocks, they may only contain one mineral in them like quartzite. It is important to learn about these rocks as an individual is able to know the composition of the minerals and how they react to different situations which can lead to their sustainable use (Butcher&Grapes, 2011). Reference Stille, D. R. (2008). Metamorphic rocks: Recycled rock. Minneapolis, Minn: Compass Point Books. Fettes, D., Fettes, D., & Fettes, D. (2011). Metamorphic rocks: a classification and glossary of terms: Recommendations of the International Union of Geological Sciences Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Oxlade, C. (2011). Metamorphic rocks. Chicago, Ill: Heinemann Library. Bucher, K., & Grapes, R. H. (2011). Petrogenesis of metamorphic rocks. Berlin: Springer. Read More