Saturday, March 28, 2020
Paul Cezanne Essays - Art Movements, Paul Czanne, Aids To Navigation
Paul Cezanne Paul C?zanne was born in Aix-en-Provence, a small town south of France. As a young boy, C?zanne's passions lay in his poetry and his friends, including Emile Zola (Preble 402). C?zanne is included in the time of the Post-Impressionists. C?zanne wanted "to make Impressionism into something solid and enduring like the art of museums" (Preble 401). C?zanne did not have a typical, (as I define as friendly), relationship with his father. C?zanne had some problems with his father. C?zanne's father wanted for C?zanne to be a lawyer. His father had sent him to a college for lawyers but C?zanne was coaxed otherwise by his friend Zola her moved to Paris (Preble 402). C?zanne's father had bought the Jas de Bouffan, which would be the place that C?zanne did many of his works (Rewald 21). The Jas de Bouffan would be their residence for over a half a century. In one of C?zanne's paintings of their residence he omits people and animals that, like in most of his paintings, would disrupt the unchanging features of the scene (Murphy 150). C?zanne's father was always in a struggle with his son. His father was one that could not comprehend anyone being able to be successful in anything that did not make him or her rich. One thing that his father had to be able to recognize was that his son had determination, but his father was utterly blind in seeing his son's talent (Rewald 35). When C?zanne's father died, C?zanne spoke of him as a genius for leaving him an income of 25,000 francs (Murphy 123). C?zanne married his 12-year affair Hortense Fiquet. A few months after their marriage, C?zanne's father died. Hortense was not welcome at the Jas de Bouffan by C?zanne's mother and sister. People say that his mother and sister banned her from the house and they were in a rage of giving her too much money (Murphy 117). C?zanne's sister, Marie, was the one that encouraged the marriage, even though she disliked Hortense, in hope that in would lift the spirits of her brother. Hortense and C?zanne did not along very well (Rewald 125). Even after their marriage, C?zanne had no thought about living the Jas or his other and sister. C?zanne thought that 16,000 francs, which were her share, was all that she needed (Rewald 125). Emile Zola was Paul's best friend. C?zanne and Zola were attracted by their shared interest in literary movements and artists. Zola and C?zanne played an important role in each other's life with Zola helping start C?zanne's art career and C?zanne helping Zola to start thinking about pictorial art (Murphy 14). C?zanne at one point thought he could write and some of his works are found in his letters to Zola: Dark, thick unwelcome mist covers me up; The sun withdraws its last handful of diamonds (Murphy 14). Zola was a very important person on telling the history of C?zanne. However, their friendship had its rocky times and its breakup by Zola. Zola can recall the complete disorder of C?zanne's studio (Rewald 62). Zola tells us how C?zanne rarely swept the interior of his studio for fear that the dust would disrupt his works. C?zanne based his work on the observation of nature and used separate strokes that were visible to make rich surfaces (Preble 400). C?zanne tried counting on the connection between adjacent strokes of color to show the entirety of the form and the space decreasing. In C?zanne's The Saint Victoire from Bellevue we can see how C?zanne uses this technique to show space and depth from a flat plane. C?zanne likes to make alterations on nature and enlarge the mountain; C?zanne also makes spatiality more clear and distinct than the actual photographs of the motifs (Loran 125). C?zanne seemed to be obsessed by this mountain and somewhat exaggerated the size of it in every one of his paintings (Murphy 154). In another view of this, entitled Mont Saint-Victoire, C?zanne uses the tree to show height by extending it the entire length of the canvas. C?zanne utilizes color contrasts to show depth playing with cool and warm color shifts (Schapiro 66). C?zanne painted this scene at least 60 times from every possible angle. C?zanne had a very distinct style of painting. To move out of the style of the broken-color of the Impressionists, C?zanne created the system of modulating the colors from a volume of cool to warm or light to dark. He made a series of steps (Loran 25). As the colors begin to overlap they are
Saturday, March 7, 2020
How to Locate TreeView Node By Text
How to Locate TreeView Node By Text While developing Delphi applications using the TreeView component, you may bump into a situation where you need to search for a tree node given by only the text of the node. In this article well present you with one quick and easy function to get TreeView node by text. A Delphi Example First, well build a simple Delphi form containing a TreeView, a Button, CheckBox and an Edit component- leave all the default component names. As you might imagine, the code will work something like:à if GetNodeByText given by Edit1.Text returns a node and MakeVisible (CheckBox1) is true then select node. The most important part is the GetNodeByText function. This function simply iterates through all the nodes inside theà ATreeà TreeView starting from the first node (ATree.Items[0]). The iteration uses theà GetNextà method of the TTreeView class to look for the next node in the ATree (looks inside all nodes of all child nodes). If the Node with text (label) given byà AValueà is found (case insensitive) the function returns the node. The boolean variableà AVisibleà is used to make the node visible (if hidden). function GetNodeByText(ATree : TTreeView; AValue:String; AVisible: Boolean): TTreeNode;var Node: TTreeNode;begin Result : nil; if ATree.Items.Count 0 then Exit; Node : ATree.Items[0]; while Node nil dobeginif UpperCase(Node.Text) UpperCase(AValue) thenbegin Result : Node; if AVisible then Result.MakeVisible; Break; end; Node : Node.GetNext; end;end; This is the code that runs the Find Node button OnClick event: procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject);var tn : TTreeNode;begin tn:GetNodeByText(TreeView1,Edit1.Text,CheckBox1.Checked); if tn nil then ShowMessage(Not found!) elsebegin TreeView1.SetFocus; tn.Selected : True; end;end; Note: If the node is located the code selects the node, if not a message is displayed. Thats it. As simple as only Delphi can be. However, if you look twice, youll see something is missing: the code will find the FIRST node given by AText.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
How Laws Have Impacted Commercial Lending Essay
How Laws Have Impacted Commercial Lending - Essay Example In relation to this paper, the introduction of The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA-REG BB) and Regulation B (Equal Credit Opportunity Act) altered commercial activities landscape for lending institutions. Brown (3) indicates that Acts have had impacts on business and commercial related activities for the past thirty years since they were established. Part 1 CRA was an Act put to place to ensure equity in access to financial services regardless of individualââ¬â¢s background. This Act lays outs steps necessary when settling commercial lending legal issues. EOA was established to provide guidelines and enforce civil liability on lending institutions that offered services in segregation. This law has ensured accessibility of financial services to all legible citizens (Brown 42). Over the 30 years the introductions of commercial lending laws have altered the business environment. This paper evaluates the impacts of CRA and ECOA on commercial lending institutions and society. CRA and E COA acts have achieved more positive benefits as opposed to the challenges they have brought. Before these Acts were in place lending institutions targeted the high income market for their services, preferably big business and white collar companies. This shift was realized when policies forced them to provide their services in line with societal demands for their financial rights (Brown 11). CRA and ECOA have also impacted on businesses negatively by reducing their ownerââ¬â¢s authority in dealing with fiscal policy matters. There have been conflicts involving the government and lending institution on what is considered ethical when conducting businesses. Imperfect information is obtained by lending institutions from borrowers due to restrictions interfering with record keeping by financial institutions. There was a backlog of legal issues concerning lending institutions and the new clients of commercial banks. According to Brown (10), laws facilitate effective running of busine ss whereby clientââ¬â¢s interests are safeguarded when seeking commercial services. These Acts provide clear channels for use when sorting financial disputes.CRA made financial institutions put measures in place that correspond with communityââ¬â¢s interests. Institutions have delved on markets initially neglected thus increasing their customer base resulting in healthy business competition. The Acts have led to societal well being by catering for its clients needs. Commercial institutions that tapped on new markets such as the marginalized communities realized growth in their profit margin. Good ethical practices by commercial banks adhering to CRA and ECOA acts have promoted fairness and equity to the world of business. Financial institutions have altered their mode of obtaining information from people of different social backgrounds. Unfortunately prejudices have led to collapse of businesses where clients boycott discriminatory organizations. In the current years commercia l banks are being forced to respect the rights of minorities when transacting businesses with them. Banks have expanded the operations venturing into neglected territories when capturing the untapped markets. Part 2 The five essential elements of credit include character, capital, collateral, cash-flow and capacity (Larson & Harms 38). As a commercial lender I will minimize the risks involved safeguarding my business. Banks should seek expertise from other professionals like
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Medical ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Medical ethics - Essay Example To some degree I would classify myself as a secular humanist and believe that ethical decisions should be based on firm logic and ethical theory, instead of religious doctrine. One of the major issues of in medical ethics has been the question of whether individuals in severe and life-ending pain should be able to commit euthanasia. Currently, individuals such as Dr. Jack Kevorkian have been imprisoned for practicing euthanasia. I believe this should not occur. I object entirely to the notion that individuals in such situations should not have the option of terminating their life. I believe that if an individual is clearly in a strong level of pain and their life will be hindered beyond enjoyment and wellness, then the individual should be given the option of ending their existence. Furthermore, allowing religious doctrine to dictate medical ethics is a dangerous slope, wherein progress and outstanding care may be compromised because of outdated
Monday, January 27, 2020
The Spanish Waste Water Environmental Sciences Essay
The Spanish Waste Water Environmental Sciences Essay Aznalcollar, a town in the region of Andalusia, is located in the south west of Spain. The region of Andalusia is the second largest region of Spain, and it is the countrys highest populated region. Andalusia is known to be an economically poor region with the majority of growth in its industry and service sectors. The region can be divided into two major sub regions; in the north, the Sierra Morena Mountains can be found and below this in the south is the valley of the Guadalquivir. This valley is home to the regions most fertile land, which is found along the banks of the river Guadalquivir and its tributaries. One of these tributaries is the river Guadiamar which flows through the town of Aznalcollar. The flow of the Guadiamar River is very seasonal; however it still sustains agricultural activity throughout the area. 45 percent of the Andalusia region is responsible for agriculture. Agriculture is mainly located around the fertile banks of the regions Rivers such as the river Guadiamar. The main agriculture in this area is made up dry land farming of cereals such as barley and oats. Other cereals grown in the area use irrigation. These cereals include maize, cotton, olives and rice. Only 17 percent of Spains cultivated land is irrigated, proving that this region is of great importance to Spains primary sector. Taking the type of crop into account, this land could also allow for the harvest of two successive crops in the same year proving its benefits to the area. Other primary sectors in the region include: fishing and mining which are all located around the Guadiamar River. The Guadiamar River is a valuable source to the population of Aznalcollar, providing a source of food, materials and employment. Fish is the main source of protein in the Spanish diet and it is commonly found in traditional Spanish dishes. Fishing not only provides a source of food to the area but also employment due to its demands. Mining still holds a great level of importance to the Andalusia region. The region is responsible for producing half of Spains mining product by value. The product comes from different provinces of the region including Seville, where various metals are extracted from the mine at Aznalcollar. The Los Frailes mine at Aznalcollar produces around 125000 tons of zinc and 2.9 million ounces of led per year. This mine offers a great source of employment and income to the area from raw materials which are exported. Tourism is also a major beneficial source to the tertiary sector of the region. The coast of Andalusia offers a very obvious source of tourism however The Donana National Park located along the bank of the Guadiamar River, is thought to be a Mecca for bird watchers. The national Park covers 543kmà ²(337.41à mià ²) of which 135à kmà ² (83.89à mià ²) is a protected area. It is made up of marsh, shallow streams and sand dunes. In 1963 the park was established as a nature reserve when the World Wildlife Fund joined with the Spanish government and purchased a section of marshes to protect it. Donana National Park is one of Europe most important wetland reserves and a major site for migrating birds. The park itself is internationally recognized for its great ecological wealth and has become a key center in the world of tourism. It has become very popular due to its enormous variety of bird species, permanent residents, winter visitors from north and central Europe or summer visit ors from Africa, such as its numerous types of geese and colorful colonies of flamingo. The park is also home to one of the worlds largest colonies of Spanish imperial eagles. As a whole, the park offers three distinct types of ecosystems: the marismas, the Mediterranean scrublands and the coastal mobile dunes with their beaches. The park attracts a vast amount of tourists annually, which in turn benefit the economy of the area. The park is also used by pilgrims taking part in the Romeria de El Rocio. This event alone can attract up to one million pilgrims each year. It is visible from the information above that the area surrounding the Guadiamar River is extremely dependent on its sourrouding natural sources. The town of Aznalcollar is reliant on the following; agriculture, fishing, mining and tourism. However in April 1998 when the dam of the mining residual tank of a pyrite mine in the locality ruptured, releasing sludge and contaminated waste water. The wastewater entered the Agrio River and the Guadiamar River. Both these rivers had low water levels due to a spring drought. In turn the rivers flooded nearby cultivated fields and threatened to flood the Donana National Park further downstream. This had an enormous affects on the population of Aznalcollar. Initially families living near the river were physically threatened. They had to flee their homes immediately, not only due to rising flood levels, but the fact that the water had been polluted with toxic heavy metals. These families lost vast amounts of their belongings in the flood and the polluted water threatened their health. Fortunately there were no initial fatalities, just a small number of people injured. However it was not recorded but these families were at the greatest risk of contacting terminal disease from the toxic water. PUT IN WHAT AOIFE SAID http://fuentesdeciencia.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/hungria-aznalcollar.jpg?w=480h=268 Initial affects to the area surrounding the Guadiamar River. The cultivated lands along the banks of the River Guadiamar were also destroyed. As the toxic waste water entered the river the level rose and flooded the cultivated land along the river banks. Not only were the crops damaged by the polluted water but by the residual mud. Any of the crops that had little water damage still could not be harvest due to fears of toxic contamination, so all harvest had to be destroyed. This occurrence lead to a great economic loss, believed to estimate at $10million. Not only is this a very large sum of money for a poor region, but it was spread mainly among 2,000 small farmers who had a great dependence on agriculture. This in turn also increased the price of rice, cotton and olives (main crops grown) in the area as they had to be bought and transported from other areas. However not only were harvest effected in 1998, due to the pollution of soils, crops could not be grown for a least another five years, until analysis had deemed the land safe for culti vation. This caused great loss for the farming community in the area as they had to abandon farming for this period and find another source of employment. Pasture farmers were also affected in a similar way. When the area flooded rapidly farmers had to abandon their farms, without any time to bring their animals to higher ground. These animals either drowned from high flood levels or were poisoned from drinking the contaminated water. When farmers could return to the area, their herds had been killed and no vegetation would grow for years after due to level of pollution in the soil. These farmers also had to seek different forms of employment, which deemed very difficult in this poor region. images.jpg Fishing in the area was a great source of income for the community as there was a great demand. However once the contaminated wastewater entered the river all fish stocks were killed by the toxins. Fears also remained within the community years after the incident of how clean the river really was and was it safe to consume fish from the river. Mining was another great source of income for Aznalcollar, as a poor region it depended greatly on its natural resources. However when the incident occurred at the Los Frailes Mine, the mine was closed down instantly due to further risk of contamination to the area. This impacted the area greatly as the mine employed 500 people and an estimated 1800 people indirectly. The employment of the area had a great dependency on the mine. Once the mine closed there were more that 2000 people in the area left unemployed. Also the material extracted from the mine when sold brought a source of income to the area, which was lost due to the closure of the mine. As visible from above the Donana National Park is Aznalcollar main source of tourism and bring in a great source income to the area. The park was not directly affected by the incident however it was under threat from the toxic flood water entering the site. The sand and dirt dikes which were constructed to control the flow of the contaminated water prevented the park from begin affected. However the surrounding areas were covered in a thick toxic sludge. This area was then covered with dead fish, frogs, crabs etc which had been killed by the contaminated water in the river and were then washed up in this area of sludge. Although the park was not directly affected, the birds in the park were attracted to these poisoned animals on the sludge. When the bird consumed these poisons creatures they were poisoned themselves. The number of birds in the park decreased dramatically. Also these birds spread disease from these dead creatures to other creatures inside the park, creating a continuo ue negative affect within the park. The national parks main water source was cut off as it was sourced from the contaminated river Guadiamar. This also created difficulty in the running to the park as a new water supply had to be sourced immediately. The park was closed for a short occasion; so that staff could help assist in the cleanup operation outside the park and so that a new water supply could be sourced. When the park did reopen there was a report in a drop of numbers of tourist visiting the park. The local association for tourism ACETA reported that in 1998 about 40 percent of reservations for tourist visits were cancelled, within the national park which calculated to a loss of approximately à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬480,000. This was possibly due to health fears in the areas. One of the most prominent human impacts from the disaster was its affect on human health. Short term health problems resulted in a small number of minor casualties recorded. However the long term health effects were most feared. The toxins found in the water consisted of heavy metals such as lead, zinc, arsenic, cyanide and other heavy metals from the mines reservoir. The fear was that these toxic metals could be consumed by humans through drinking water. Even after the area was cleaned, trace elements of these metals could still remain in water pipes etc. Also the soil which may also contain trace elements of these toxins could transfer the toxins from the soil into crops and contaminate the food chain. The fear behind long term human health effects is the high risks of cancer and neurological disease which can be caused by these toxins. The final human impact caused by the catastrophe at Aznalcollar was the large scale cost involved. It is estimated that over all cost for the Boliden company came to à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬ 89 million, these were figures given out by the Boliden. This figure included the cost of cleaning up the northern sector of the Guadiamar à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬27 million, the acquisition of the harvest of 1998 à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬ 11 million, the operations of decommissioning of the tailings lagoon à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬ 41 million and the loss due to the stop of the mining activity in 1998. The regional government of Andalusia provided à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬ 145 million for the disaster remediation. This budget was mainly used for cleaning up operations, the acquisition of the polluted land à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬ 48 million and restoration à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬ 90 million. The Ministry for Environment provided a budget of à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬ 136.7 million. à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬ 13 million was used in the removal of the tailings; à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬ 15 million was used for the treatment of toxic water accumulation in the marshlands. The Ministry for Environment has also approved to provide à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬ 93.7 million for a hydric regeneration plan for Donana National Park and the Guadiamar riverbed. The overall cost of the whole devastation amounted to à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬ 377.7 million, which impacted humans as this was mainly funded by tax payers money. http://awsassets.wwf.es/downloads/mining_in_donana_english.pdf http://www.fhs.se/Documents/Externwebben/forskning/centrumbildningar/Crismart/Forskning/Fallbanken/BOLIDEN_.PDF http://countrystudies.us/spain/57.htm Aznalcollars spilling from IES Gustavo Adolfo Bà ©cquer Lessons Learned Although the disaster resulted in great negative affects for the region, positivity can be taken from the tragedy by learning from mistakes and putting systems in place to prevent a toxic spill of such size from occurring again. There were four main lessons learned: Need to know the possible environmental threats from mining lagoons in further detail and the post implementation to prevent these actions. Nessesity to strengthen the mine legistration due to the inappropriate environmental management of Aznalcollar mine before and after the incident. The good practices in cleaning up activities techniques of the sludge have reduced the pollution levels of the affected area. Oppurtunity to create new restoration projects and to implement the Ramsar Convention recommendations. Need to know the possible environmental threats from mining lagoons in further detail and the post implementation to prevent these actions. The good practices in cleaning up activities techniques of the sludge have reduced the pollution levels of the affected area. The cleanup activities of the emergency were rapid and efficient since the area was flooded by contaminated wastewater. On the 25th of April 1998 in Aznalcollar, Spain, the Los Frailes tailings dam, ruptured. It contained tailings from the mining of arsenic, silver, cadmium, copper, zinc and lead. The Los Frailes mine had a mining rate of approximately 4 million tones per year. The ruptured dam released about 5-7 million cubic meters of toxic tailings sludge and contaminated wastewater into Agrio River, which is a tributary to Guadiamar River. Cause of the Los Frailes tailings dam failure: The actual cause of the Los Frailes tailings dam failure is still to this day exactly 100% clear as the final report has yet to be published and released. The authorities blamed the Swedish-Canadian operator of the mine, Boliden Ltd, and Boliden Ltd claimed instantaneously after this terrible incident occurred that they were not at fault. Immediately after the accident happened it was suspected that a foundation failure occurred in the separation dam thats located between two parts of the impoundments, e.g.: the soil underneath the base of the Los Frailes dam lost its mechanical strength. The separation dam is positioned among the basins, which are filled with tailings from pyroclastic rock and pyritic rock and the foundation failure of this lead to the breaking of the main dam. The Swedish-Canadian operator of the mine, Boliden Ltd, has assured the authorities and the people of Aznalcollar that there was no possible way of foreseeing the foundation failure. There have been many different reports and opinions given as to why the dam failure occurred. The company Boliden Ltd stated at the start, that the cause of the dam rupturing was a landslide, which resulted in the movement of a part of the wall. However, the authorities stated that the damn was not of adequate construction and also that any signs of a probable break were ignored by the company in charge. Three independent investigations were carried out into the cause of the dam failure. One investigation was commissioned by Boliden Ltd and carried out by EPTISA, another was commissioned by the regional authorities and carried out by CEDEX and the 3rd investigation was commissioned by the judge who was in charge of leading the legal proceedings of the accident and was carried out by the University of Bar celona. From the findings of the three investigations it was agreed that the cause of the dam failure was from the formation of sliding surfaces in the marl beneath the foundation. The foundation failure occurred because of the chemical attack of the impounded acidic pyritic sludge on the marl. Marl contains calcium carbonate and clay. The attack of acid on the marl decomposed the calcium carbonate present, which resulted in the deterioration of the mechanical stability of the soil. Fig 1: The breaking of the dam: A large part of soil, which was located underneath the dam, moved towards Rà o Agrio (approx. 1 metre). The front part of the moving soil was approx. 20 metres wide and positioned where the junction of the two impoundments. This caused the dam to crack and break suddenly causing the wall to collapse move forward along the separation dam, between the two impoundments. Approximately 5 million cubic metres of toxic tailings sludge and contaminated wastewater seeped through the opening. The bed of Rà o Agrio increased by roughly 3 metres and changed its course. Fig 2: Detailed diagram showing before the displacement had occurred and after the displacement had occurred. The Los Frailes dam is approximately 25 meters in height and lies on 4 meters of alluvium, which is situated under 70 meters of blue marl. By the overstressing of the blue marl, it resulted in the dam, alluvium and the marl to slide. This sliding caused the pyrite tailings to liquefy, which then resulted in increasing the loading on the dam while the foundation resistance was decreased. These various processes were the result of the 60 meters of horizontal displacement of the Los Frailes dam. Various other factors were ruled out as being contributing factors to the failure of the dam, e.g.: blasting, earthquakes etc. Fig 3: Actual photograph of the Los Frailes tailings dam failure showing a total of approximately 60 meters of displacement. In the beginning of November 1998, Boliden sent a report to the judge who was in charge of the case. In the report it stated that a new displacement (3 millimetres) of the dam had taken place since the spill. The Government confronted the public, as there was an increased risk of a new spill. Mid-November 1998, the Environmental Protection Department warned that there was still a higher amount of tailings than what was lost when the dam ruptured in April, and if it rains and the dam fills with the rainwater then it would apply even more pressure to the walls of the dam. In February 1999, Boliden Ltd finally admitted for the first time that the tailings dam was not properly designed. They directed the blame entirely on the contractor (Dragados y Construcciones) and the two engineering firms used by them. Interventions: Emergency measures put in place in order to minimize the social, economic and environmental impact of the Aznalcollar spill. An emergency operation had to be put in place in order to minimize the damaged caused by the spill. The Spanish Authorities, the Regional Government of Andalusia and also Boliden Ltd (Apirsa) were involved in the clean up. On the 1st of May 1998, the different administrations created a Mixed Commission of Coordination. The 1st task that was carried out was the immediate removal of the tailings, which were found at the old part of the mine. Removing the tailings was spread out over two operations, in 1998 and 1999. Approximately 99% of the tailings were recovered as a result. According to the Regional Government of Andalusia, the collection of nearly all the tailings means that around 7000 million litres of soil and tailings have been recovered. In 1999, Boliden Ltd was granted the licensing of stabilization works for the dam as it was found that there was a significant movement after the initial spill (17 centimeters) and was a cause for major concern. Another campaign was then undertaken by the Mixed Commission of Coordination, which involved treating the soil. The soil was treated using a chemical procedure, which would result in immobilizing the various heavy metals that remained in the soil. The construction of the Entremuros dike caused the retention of 2 billion litres of acid water. In order to allow the Guadalquivir River Basin Authority to purify the dammed waters, a water treatment plant was constructed beside the Entremuros dike. After the purification process, it would then discharge the purified water to the estuary of Guadalquivir. Another drastic measure was put in place in order to control the environmental quality in the surface waters, the air, the subterranean waters, the estuary, and also a sanitary control program of the people living in the surrounding area who were affected by the Aznalcollar spill. The entire process was established in a series of published laws, decrees and also orders between May 5th 1998 and 1999. Also in May 1998, the Council of Ministers of the Regional Government of Andalusia had approved the various actions that were necessary for carrying out a project of regeneration and adaption for public use. This was called the Guadiamar Green Corridor. The Guadiamar Green Corridor project was developed in 1999. The reason it was developed was to restore the Guadiamar basin and its surrounding ecosystems. The plan of action of the project was described in the Guadiamar Green Corridor Strategy, which was supported by the International Seminary on Ecological Corridors in March 1999. The Guadiamar Green Corridor project is also reveled in the results of an investigation program, which is known as PICOVER. PICOVER was developed between the years of 1998 and 2002. The Regional Government of Andalusia published the conclusions found as a result of this program. The estimated total amount of the PICOVER was à ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬ 5.8 million. It was divided down into 2 different stages. The 1st stage was developed between 1998 and 2001. The effects of the Aznalcollar spill were studied (on organisms and ecosystems) and the necessary guidelines for the restoration were set out. The 2nd stage was developed between the years of 2002 and 2003. The ob jective of the 2nd stage was to control the factors that were most effected by the spill, which were soil and water. Attention was also given to the species that were considered to be the most important bio indicators e.g. plants, fish, etc. The Green Corridors objectives and the plan of action: To decontaminate the water, soil and also organisms of the riverbed. Also the decontamination of the flooded plains and the marsh that was damaged by the acid water and tailings. Water: The Green Corridor has a technical office, which had set up stations. These stations were put in place to control the surface water (17 stations). From all 17 stations, only one of them has had an increased value (El Guijo). A study that was carried out by the Guadalquivir River Basin Authority back in 2003 concluded that the El Guijo station, which was situated in the Guadiamar River, had continued to present an increased level of zinc, cadmium and copper metals. The El Guijo station, out of the 17 stations, is one of the closest to the Los Frailes mine. It is 2.5 km beneath water. All of the remaining 16 stations are within the legal limits and fit for human consumption. The Guadalquivir estuary was tested after the spill and it showed an increase in the level of contamination. This problem solved itself after a few short months as the contamination level returned to what it was before the spill occurred. Soil: Since the Aznalcollar spill, the process of decontaminating the soil had been successfully carried out for the most part. The monitoring of the soil to ensure the contamination level remains low has continually been followed up, especially focusing on the main affected area (the Aznalcollar mine and the bridge of Doblas). The reason this area was the main affected area was because of its closeness to the disastrous lagoon. This resulted in high levels of zinc, arsenic and lead contamination. Since 2002, the majority of soil areas that were affected were cleaned. The cleaning process eliminated central points of contamination but in some particular stains of the land, minuet residual contamination still remains. Fauna: One of the main populations affected were fish and amphibians. Since the Aznalcollar spill, the riverbed has been recolonized with fish and amphibians and they have survived without any problems. In 2004, it was detected that 6 different species of fish had laid eggs. It was the 1st year since the spill that different species of fish laying eggs was detected. Flora: The contamination of metals in plants has decreased with time. 2.5 million plants have been planted in order to restore the affected area. The majority were planted between the Entremuros marsh and the Los Frailes mine. The Entremuros area was restored by replanting in small plots. This method allowed the ecosystem to improve naturally. To restore the functioning of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems which were damaged or ruined by the Aznalcollar spill. The large amount of area that was affected, from the mine to the entrance to the Entremuros swamp, has now been restored. The aim is to create a fluvial ecological corridor. The gravel extractions, or the agricultural occupation has caused the Guadiamar riverbed to suffer extreme transformations. When the riverbed was being restored it was thought that it was more critical to recover the processes for fluvial dynamics, which had been modified, rather than recreate the original morphology of the river. In 2004, it had been noted that the natural dynamic of the river, particularly the flood plains, had been recuperated. Also, non-indigenous vegetation had been removed as instructed. Since the spill, there used to be many gravel exploitations found on the bed of the river of the Guadiamar, between the upper and middle branches. These were reformed serving two purposes. One use is environmental recuperation and the other is for the use of the public. Entremuros marshes: The main reasoning behind the activities was to ensure the riverbed was recuperated by the removal of the impacts that hindered the natural functioning. The results have shown to be considerably good. The fauna and flora have quickly colonized the area. To promote a model for the management of the various uses of the region so that ecological heterogeneity could be promoted in order to reinstate the different species and natural processes among the mountain range and the coast. Positive results were found on the movement of land animals through the Corridor, in the middle course of the Guadiamar River. There are many communities that began to become established in the Corridor, such as the eagle, rabbit, and the lynx. As a result it has aided the purpose of the ecological corridor of the Guadiamar River. The Corridor has needed to be attached through the northern part as this restored the river basin of the Guadiamar River and the mining region in its upper course. The restoration continues to be followed up, even today, as it ensures its function as a fluvial ecological corridor and the future tendencies of the river. To improve and promote the quality of life of the many people living in the area through the strategies of development fitting with the conservation of the functions of their natural systems. Public use: The Green Corridor is now recognized as a tourist destination. It has tails that can be used for walking, biking and horse riding. A variety of infrastructures have been constructed including recreational areas, a botanical garden, visitor centers, etc. There has been sign posts put up of the area, and also the roads. There have also been guides produced on the infrastructures and programs in the Green Corridor (for public use). Other uses: In the Green Corridor there are many kind of acts prohibited which include hunting, fishing, and raising livestock. Also, on the grounds of the old mine an environmental services site has been constructed. Relations with the surrounding population: Many environmental educational activities were developed in order to educate the population, but mostly for schoolchildren. A lot of the people living in the surrounding area were not aware of the many activities in the Green Corridor and its ideas. To make it clear to the population, it was necessary to cover the wildlife values, historical, landscape etc of the Green Corridor. To contribute to the conversion of the Network of Protected Natural Areas of Andalusia as an arrangement of areas, which are connected by ecological corridors and which fluvial ones stand out the most. The Green Corridor had to be declared as a Protected landscape in order to comply with this objective. The Green Corridor does not reach up to the north of Aznalcollar therefore it is not connected as an ecological corridor with the coast and mountain range. To operate as a model of integrated planning of a Mediterranean basin with could be extrapolated to other regions. The WWF has recognized that the Guadiamar Green Corridor operates as a model of basin restoration. The office for the Mediterranean selected one of its projects to be a model of management and restoration of Mediterranean wetlands. The WWF gave the lessons learned of the Guadiamar to Romania to help them after the mine accident of Baia Mare.
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Mainstream vs. Alternative Media
Medal In today's day and age, with the advent of vehicles Like the Internet and various social media, the means of communicating have significantly developed. This evolution has given rise to contemporary media outlets for both the mainstream and alternative media channels. We must now choose how to gain access to our most basic and truly essential news and information. Mainstream media tends to afford media outlets maintained by various conglomerates, which are then predisposed to their appeals.We come across an assortment of mainstream media outlets broadcasting on the radio, TV, and online or irrigating in newspapers and other such publications. Mainstream media tend to be easily hit upon; connect with vast audiences; and are usually preferred by the majority. Mainstream media corporations thrive and profit by engaging as many people as possible. Their content centers on Issues and topics that appeal to a considerable number of listeners, readers, and viewers.Mainstream media is o ften seen as more trustworthy and credible. Even though time and again, alternative media breaks a news story, the public is disposed to waiting until mainstream media backs that story. Often times, mainstream media corporations also will hold off on a story until it has earned some attention in the smaller alternative outlets before they will cover It. Mainstream media encompasses a comprehensive spectrum of subject matters Like economics, politics, sports, science, fashion, travel, Jobs, entertainment, etc.Mainstream media coverage tends to present considerably longer articles and reports, which are comprised of more sources, interviews and expert outlooks to support the stories. On the opposite end of the gamut you'll find alternative media. This type of media ends to voice alternative Ideals, opinions, values and viewpoints In comparison to those expressed through mainstream media. Alternative media Is known to be confronting in content, attitude and tone. It is typically smalle r-scale, independent and not-for-profit.Characteristically, alternative media endeavors to authenticate stories in such a manner as to open up perspectives that may not be touched upon in mainstream media. Alternative media outlets, Like mainstream media, can be accessed on the radio, online, and In newspapers and publications, as well as to a degree on television. Alternative media outlets tend to receive a smaller amount of funding and sponsorship, and more restrictive budgets than mainstream media outlets.Because of this, it is easier to come across alternative media sources online, due to the affordability of establishing and maintaining a website over a radio or television program. For these reasons, audiences are required to put forth greater effort into Scores of listeners, readers, and viewers do not trust mainstream media because they deem that certain stories or specifics are being overlooked or omitted. That is why alternative media outlets have smaller, yet faithful foll owings that yearn for a truly authentic viewpoint.These alternative outlets tend to have links to which to donate money and support the funding of the outlet. Alternative media outlets are by no means looking to make a profit, but simply rely on their audience's support to stay active. Such donation links are not found in mainstream outlets because they are corporately financed. Alternative media does not cover as wide of a spectrum of subject matter as mainstream media. You will not usually find coverage of sports, entertainment, lassies, and such, which is understandable taking into consideration how many resources, are committed to such an array of areas.The topics usually addressed in alternative media, are delivered through short and concise paragraphs, which are not necessarily backed with interviews or expert testimony, and are all usually found on a single page. Skeptics tend to propose that mainstream media promotes the agenda of the government and its corporate allies to p rocure funding and sponsorship, while alternative media murmurs and mutters of corruption and conspiracy in hopes of lulling internet traffic.Taken as a whole, both mainstream and alternative medias provide us with our most basic and truly essential news and information. Mainstream media may have a wider audience attributable to all of the supplementary information they offer, but alternative media offers an alternate perspective that may have be overall missed. Our intake of news needs to mirror our intake of food. Everything must be accepted in moderation and must find a balance. People should ultimately access both mainstream and alternative media in order to stay knowledgeable and aware.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Predominate Symbols and Their Meanings
Predominate Symbols and Their Meanings Defined Symbolism ââ¬Å"is the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character. A symbol is an object, action, or idea that represents something other than itself, often of a more abstract nature. â⬠(Wikipedia) Authors use symbolism to give their stories a deeper meaning. Symbols make you look beyond the obvious and see the deeper meaning. â⬠Symbols have emotional and intellectual power beyond their literal importance, and writers often use them to compact large ideas into simple words or phrases. (SPC Blackboard) Authors Shirley Jackson (The Lottery), Susan Glaspell (A Jury of Her Peers), and Katherine Ann Porte (The Jilting of Granny Weatherall) all effectively use symbolism is their stories to convey a deeper meaning, the symbolism in their stories help connect you on a different level. In Jacksonââ¬â¢s The Lottery, there are many instances where symbolism is used to repr esent something else. The first symbol which is probably the most obvious is the title of the story.When you think of the word lottery you think of a prize of some sort, ââ¬Å"In this story the lottery serves as an ironic symbolââ¬âsomething which begins in a harmless and sociable way but ends in tragedy. â⬠(Enotes) Another symbolic reference in this story is the black box that is used to draw from. The box is dilapidated and in need of some major repair, yet it is still used year after year. ââ¬ËThey base their attachment on nothing more than a story that claims that this black box was made from pieces of another, older black box. (SparkNotes) The black box symbolizes tradition; the people of the town are attached to the box just because it has been around so long they donââ¬â¢t know anything else. There is no reason the villagers should be so attached to the box, just as there is no reason they should continue to hold the Lottery but they do because of tradition. (SparkNotes) The third and most disturbing symbol from The Lottery is the actual stoning. ââ¬Å"Stoning is one of the oldest and most common forms of execution, but it is also one of the most symbolic. (Bright Hub Education) It is symbolic because in reference to the Bible stoning was the way to execute innocent people. It was also important the ââ¬Å"winnerâ⬠of the lottery be stoned so that there was not just one executioner. ââ¬Å"This means that no single person has passed judgment or has to carry the guilt for taking a life aloneâ⬠, the lottery was an institution of the society and not the individual. (Bright Hub Education) Jackson uses symbolism in this morbid story to reference the Bible and make you read between the lines, just like Glaspell does in A Jury of Her Peers.In A Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell there is an abundance of symbolism. Basically every small detail in this story is symbolic of something else. The most significant symbols in this story ar e the bird and the birdcage. Mrs. Hale describes Minnie, before her marriage, as â⬠real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and flutteryâ⬠(Learner) which can also describe a bird. The bird in its cage represents Minnie trapped in the relationship with John. She is also trapped because there is no lifeline or communication with the outside world, she is having the life drained from her.John figuratively strangles the life out of Minnie like he literally strangles the bird. When he kills the bird, he kills the last bit of Minnieââ¬â¢s spirit. Minnie ââ¬Å"didn't know what she was aboutâ⬠(Learner) anymore. Another symbolic reference is way Minnie killed her husband, Minnie strangled the life out of John like he strangled the life out of her bird. (Literature Essays) The setting in this story is also symbolic because like Minnie it was very isolated and ââ¬Å"It had always been a lonesome-looking place. (Learner) Minnie reached a breaking point and took matters int o her own hands. During this time period there was no divorce or separation, so the woman had either to suffer through it, die, or kill her husband. Her house is also very symbolic of her life, her kitchen was described as ââ¬Å"being in disorder with unwashed pans under the sink, a dishtowel left on table, a loaf of bread outside the breadbox, and other disarray. â⬠(Learner) Just like her kitchen, Minnieââ¬â¢s life was in complete disarray because of the abuse she endured.Like Glaspell, Katherine Ann Porte author of The Jilting of Granny Weatherall, uses symbolism to relate everyday events and objects to traumatic life events. The title itself is symbolic; to ââ¬Å"Weatherâ⬠means that someone has gone through a lot and experienced a lot of hardships during their life. Granny had ââ¬Å"weatheredâ⬠a lot during her life but had forced herself to rise above these situations. Even though she is a weak and dying she wants everyone to think she is fine and doesnâ⠬â¢t need anyoneââ¬â¢s help. Some f the symbolism that takes place in The Jilting of Granny Weatherall has to do with Grannyââ¬â¢s denial. Granny Weatherall is in denial about most of the aspects of her life. She refuses to admit that she is dying, refuses to let anyone think she had her heart broken by the man who left her at the altar. Before she dies she wants to make sure everyone knows she lived a good life and did everything anyone else would do, married a good man, had kids, and lived a good life, even though her heart still pangs because she was jilted. The color blue is also symbolic throughout the story.There are many references to the color throughout the story and as Granny comes closer to dying the color slowly starts to fade. ââ¬Å"At last, blue becomes the color of the light in Grannyââ¬â¢s own mind, the light she snuffs out herself. ââ¬ËShe stretched herself with a deep breath and blew out the light. ââ¬â¢ (EBookBrowse) It comes to symbolize the fin al stage of Grannyââ¬â¢s life, when she is easing into death. â⬠(SparkNotes) These symbols tug at your emotions and make you feel the pain Granny Weatherall has endured throughout her life. By using symbolism, these authors add layers to their stories.These layers make the stories more effective on an emotional level. They force you to read between the lines and force you to see the hidden importance in even the smallest of details. Works Cited Bright Hub Education. n. d. 27 October 2012. . EBookBrowse. n. d. 29 October 2012. . Enotes. n. d. 28 October 2012. . Learner. n. d. 28 October 2012. . Literature Essays. n. d. 28 October 2012. . SparkNotes. n. d. 28 October 2012. . SparkNotes. n. d. 29 October 2012. . SPC Blackboard. n. d. 27 October 2012. . Wikipedia. n. d. 26 October 2012. .
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