Раздаточный материал к обобщающему уроку по теме "Who is in Charge of our Planet"

1.Visit Azov district one of the most beautiful places in Rostov region. It’s called so due to the nearest position to the Sea of Azov. People have lived here for ages. Hundred years ago human beings existed in harmony with nature understanding that a man depends on the planet, on the Sun, on water, on animals and plants around him.

2. Today the situation on the Earth is quite different. Now we don't know the virgin nature. The intensive development of industry results in air pollution, land pollution and water pollution. It causes terrible damage to the environment. By the year 2100 some scientists believe that half of the world’s species may be disappeared.

3. The Azov Sea is one of the smallest sea areas in the world with its own unique ecosystem. It has a low salinity – not more than 13 percent, in the coastal zone it is reduced to 2 percent. It is not deep, well warmed and oxygenated and has a lot of plankton substances for animals and fish nutrition. So the Azov Sea has always had high fish productivity. According to the current data, fauna of the Azov Sea (including the Kerch Strait, lemans, the Don and Kuban river deltas) includes 95 kinds of fish, lots of them are unique.

4. Yet, the Azov Sea like many other big or small seas and lakes is in danger now. The number of fish and other creatures that live here have fallen dramatically in recent years because of pollution. The major water pollutants are chemical, biological, and physical materials that lessen the water quality. The most dangerous Petroleum products get into water by accidental spills from ships, tanker trucks and when there are leaks from underground storage tanks. They are constantly increasing lately, as Azov becomes a great international industrial port. As a result, ecosystem of the sea is destroying and lots of fish species currently threatened with extinction.

5. There is a high probability of rehabilitation of ecosystem and fish resources, for which the Sea of Azov once was famous, can start with Kagalnik - our small village at the mouth of Don. About 10 years ago the Southern scientific center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SSC RAS) under the leadership of academician G.G. Matishov set a science expeditionary base in Kagalnik. G.G. Matishov a scientist with a world name, the expert in the field of oceanology, sea geology, ecosystems and climate, grew up and studied in the village of Kagalnik. After graduating from Rostov University in “Geography” in 1968 he left Rostov for Murmansk to start his research work. At the age of 35 he became the director of Murmansk sea biological institute, then a doctor of geographical sciences, professor, in 1997 an academician of the RSA. The academician is a member of the academic council of the Russian geographical society, a member of scientific council of the Russian Academy of Sciences on problems of the Arctic and Antarctic, a member of the New York academy of Sciences, a member of the International Arctic scientific committee (IASC), an author of more than 400 scientific works.

6. In 2002 G.G. Matishov was appointed the Chairman of the SSC of RAS. And at the beginning of 2005 an experimental science expeditionary base was opened in Kagalnik. In 10 years the base grew in a huge aqua complex on sturgeon breeding. The team of scientists has developed the way which allows sturgeons grow 2-3 times quicker, than in open reservoirs and fish farms, several times a year to receive "crop" of black caviar. Doubtless, it is a significant opening for the country. But the scientists are afraid of the fact that it will be hardly possible to return to life the Sea of Azov with its former fish resources, especially to restore the most valuable sturgeon species in the sea. There is the chance only if the authority supports the idea with the state huge (mega) project like Olympic Games. The scientists have the carefully planned program, that includes the development of both large industrial companies and small family farms.

7. State and public organizations and individuals support campaigning for the environmental protection and particularly the Sea of Azov. Some people, however, are trying to make a difference.Would you like to be a volunteer? What other ecological problems are there in your place? How can you help to make your native land a better place? Azov area needs your hands!

(Kagalnik school, teachers: Belousova N.I., Ivanova L.L.)

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