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Thematic Unit Project

Thematic Unit Project. Presented by. Floyd Baty Joel Dunn Martha Eickman Hanh Nguyen Jennifer Schultz. So … What does this all mean for the Gulf Coast Region?. Introduction.

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Thematic Unit Project

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  1. Thematic Unit Project Presented by Floyd Baty Joel Dunn Martha Eickman Hanh Nguyen Jennifer Schultz

  2. So … What does this all mean for the Gulf Coast Region?

  3. Introduction • The Gulf Coast region of Texas encompasses a number of diverse ecosystems; barrier islands along the coast, salt grass marshes surrounding bays and estuaries, cypress swamps, Tallgrass prairies, and tall woodlands of oak and pine. • Many of these habitats are home to threatened or endangered species, including the whooping cranes of Aransas, the sea turtles of Laguna Madre, and some of the species in the richly diverse Big Thicket. • The natural areas of the Texas Gulf Coast region play an important role in the state's economy. The unique ecosystems and natural beauty of the area attract business in ecotourism and outdoor recreation. Shortleaf and loblolly pine forests in this region contribute significantly to the state's economy. • The state's significant production of rice is centered in this coastal area and is tied closely to the natural processes of surrounding ecosystems. Coastal Plain Prairie Source: Nell Bolen

  4. OIL SPILLED  Buffalo Marine Tank Barge #292 Incident Fossil Fuel Use

  5. Water Pollution Human Pressures on Water Resources Source: USGS

  6. Pollution -causes • Since the 1950s, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has investigated mass mortalities of fish and wildlife, also known as "fish kills" and "wildlife kills". • About half of the incidents were pollution incidents and half were fish kills, along with fewer incidents involving wildlife (see "Types of Incidents (1958-1997)").

  7. Radioactive • HOUSTON - Radioactive materials were abandoned in a natural gas well on a popular island off the Texas coast earlier this year, but they are buried deep underground and do not pose a safety threat, state officials said. • The company told regulatory authorities about the problem and followed rules which required it to cover the tool with 300 feet (90 meters) of concrete, officials at the Texas Department of Health and the Texas Railroad Commission said. • Sierra Club spokeswoman Erin Rogers said the abandoned materials would remain radioactive for 4,000 years. Clear day in Houston Smoggy day in Houston Source: Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention

  8. Radioactive - continue • "It's not an immediate problem but you just never know what is going to happen in the long term for the amount of time that it remains radioactive," she said. • San Padre Island is an undeveloped barrier island that stretches 110 miles (177 km) south from Corpus Christi Bay and draws some 800,000 visitors a year. • It includes the 80-mile (129 km) long Padre Island National Seashore, which provides nesting grounds for endangered sea turtles and is also home to over 350 species of birds. Clear day in Houston Smoggy day in Houston Source: Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention

  9. Few of the many solutions • Texas Beach watch program • Individuals should take responsible and keep the beach learn

  10. Stop and Think!!! • Can you come up with one solution to help the environment?

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