GEO 1130 - Contaminant Threats to Ecosystems and Humans: From Microplastics to the Shrinking Great Salt Lake

Frequently we hear about threat of exposure to toxic spills, PFAS, microplastics, and dust from the Great Salt Lake. We exist within an ecosystem built on a foundation involving bacteria that mediate unintended consequences of human industry. There is a need to impart perspective that allows rational scaling of risks from various exposures according to perceived versus actual risk. This class explores conceptually and in simple terms the intertwined life and physical science origins of, impacts from, and solutions for, contaminant exposures.