This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: Describe the impacts of the earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan on March 11, 2011, on the ... (Read 105 times)

fagboi

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 535
Describe the impacts of the earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan on March 11, 2011, on the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants, and on the Japanese people.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Differentiate between the terms critical number and carrying capacity. What is density dependence?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

ricroger

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 352
Answer to Question 1

Although the reactors at Fukushima shut down properly during the disaster, a power outage as a result of the Tsunami prevented the cooling of spent fuel rods. This led to the buildup of hydrogen gas and explosions that sent radioactive products into the atmosphere around the reactor. Because of the release of radioactive products, the people living within a 12-mile radius of the reactor (approximately 75,000 people) were evacuated and displaced. The land in the 12-mile radius is expected not to recover, so there will be a loss of homes, land, and money for the Japanese people in this area as a result of the disaster. On a grander scale, the response of shutting down many nuclear reactors in Japan will affect the Japanese people as their power generation is shifted to other dirtier power sources.

Answer to Question 2

Critical number is the minimum size of a population below which it will not reproduce. The survival of the species is unlikely below the critical number. The carrying capacity is a characteristic of an ecosystem and is the upper limit to the population of any particular species that an ecosystem can support. . . . Therefore, the critical number is the smallest number of individuals within a species that is required for the species survival while the carrying capacity is the largest number of individuals within a species that an ecosystem can support. Carrying capacity is a characteristic of an ecosystem, while critical number is a characteristic of the species. Density-dependent factors are those environmental resistance factors that, as the population size increases, contribute to an increase in mortality, (such) that population growth ceases or declines. As population size decreases, environmental resistance factors decrease as well, allowing the population to grow again. Density-independent factors are those that cause mortality irrespective of the population density. The population size can be small or large and the factor will have the same effect (e.g., a sudden, hard freeze will kill plants, seeds, or animals irrespective of the population size).





 

Did you know?

As the western states of America were settled, pioneers often had to drink rancid water from ponds and other sources. This often resulted in chronic diarrhea, causing many cases of dehydration and death that could have been avoided if clean water had been available.

Did you know?

For about 100 years, scientists thought that peptic ulcers were caused by stress, spicy food, and alcohol. Later, researchers added stomach acid to the list of causes and began treating ulcers with antacids. Now it is known that peptic ulcers are predominantly caused by Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that normally exist in the stomach.

Did you know?

A good example of polar molecules can be understood when trying to make a cake. If water and oil are required, they will not mix together. If you put them into a measuring cup, the oil will rise to the top while the water remains on the bottom.

Did you know?

Throughout history, plants containing cardiac steroids have been used as heart drugs and as poisons (e.g., in arrows used in combat), emetics, and diuretics.

Did you know?

Asthma-like symptoms were first recorded about 3,500 years ago in Egypt. The first manuscript specifically written about asthma was in the year 1190, describing a condition characterized by sudden breathlessness. The treatments listed in this manuscript include chicken soup, herbs, and sexual abstinence.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library