Research Project:
Answer the entire prompt below and develop a clear and coherent research memo as per instructions and the attached rubric. Prompt should be answered in the same chronological order as they appear. Please do not include any sub-titles and questions in the body of your final research memo.
We discussed the video on composting in class (YouTube Video: Why Is Composting Good for The Environment - and Composting At Home - which shows composting is beneficial and meaningful for us all.
Both of the video and the EPA reading cannot be used as sources for writing this research memo. You can certainly use any scholarly sources that you find in any EPA reading.
Prompt:
Write a research memo to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin advocating for the implementation of composting at all Virginia Government facilities. Provide reasons for why you think composting is a good idea and why it should be an integral part of the environmental policy in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Provide a relevant background to the Governor while also providing policy suggestions based on the sources used.
Explain your writing clearly by building a firm foundation and a clear thesis. Yes and No answers without any explanation/foundation will not earn any grade.
Key Points from Source 1:
Environmental Impact: Composting significantly reduces landfill waste, which in turn lowers methane emissions-a potent greenhouse gas.
Economic Benefits:
Cost Savings: Composting reduces the cost of waste disposal.
Revenue Generation: Selling compost can provide a new revenue stream.
Soil Health: Compost enriches soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and enhancing soil structure and water retention.
Community and Social Benefits:
Job Creation: Composting programs create green jobs in collection, processing, and education.
Public Engagement: Encourages community involvement and environmental awareness.
Source 2 Summary:
The article "Composting: A Biosecurity Measure to Maximize the Benefit of Broilers' Litter" highlights the biosecurity benefits of composting poultry litter. Key points include:
Reduction of Pathogens: Composting effectively reduces harmful pathogens in poultry litter, improving overall biosecurity.
Environmental Benefits: Composting poultry litter minimizes environmental contamination by reducing runoff and leaching of nutrients into water bodies.
Soil Health: The composted litter enhances soil fertility and structure, promoting healthier plant growth.
Economic Advantages: Utilizing composted litter as a soil amendment can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, lowering costs for farmers.
Source 3 Summary:
To make your Momo paper strong, here are the key points from the article "Fungicidal Activity of Caproate Produced by Clostridium sp. strain E801, a Bacterium Isolated from Cocopeat Medium Subjected to Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation":
1. **Research Context and Purpose**: The study explores the fungicidal properties of caproate produced by the bacterium Clostridium sp. strain E801. This bacterium was isolated from a cocopeat medium subjected to anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), a technique used to control soil-borne pathogens and pests.
2. **Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD)**: ASD is highlighted as a method for soil treatment that involves incorporating organic amendments into the soil, saturating the soil with water, and then covering it with plastic to create anaerobic conditions. This process promotes the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which produce organic acids and other compounds that are toxic to soil pathogens.
3. **Isolation and Identification**: The specific strain of Clostridium (E801) was isolated and identified through various biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This identification is crucial as it ties the bacterium's capabilities to its genetic makeup.
4. **Caproate Production and Its Effects**: Caproate (hexanoic acid) was found to be produced by Clostridium sp. E801. The study demonstrated that caproate has significant fungicidal activity against various plant pathogens, including Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani, which are known to cause substantial crop losses.
5. **Experimental Procedures**: The paper details the experimental setup, including the conditions for ASD, isolation techniques for the bacterium, and methods for testing the fungicidal activity of caproate. This thorough methodology ensures the reproducibility of the results.
6. **Results and Discussion**: The results showed that caproate effectively inhibited the growth of the tested pathogens. The discussion section elaborates on the potential of using caproate or similar compounds produced through ASD as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides.
7. **Conclusion and Implications**: The study concludes that caproate produced by Clostridium sp. E801 could be a valuable bio-fungicide. It also suggests that further research is needed to optimize the production of caproate and understand its mode of action fully.