In this chapter, the author describes the landscape of the town. The town is a rural/farm area but is destroyed by pollution. This pollution caused birds to not migrate here anymore, illnesses and death for people, and no insects, mainly bees to pollinate.
Chapter Four Surface Waters and Underground Seas
Most of the water that is on the earths surface isn't useable due to the high content of salt in the water and chemicals in our streams and public water supplies. These chemicals are unseen and invisible. Groundwater can also contaminate other water sources since most water sources are connected. For example, in 1959, the Rocky Moutain Aresenal of the Army Chemical Corps contaminated groundwater with chlorides, chlorates, salts of phosphonic acid, fluorides, and arsenic. This contaminated water was spread to other places contaminating other bodies of water. There are wildlife refugees that were also contaminated which are called Tule Lake and Lower Klamath. These wildlife refugees cause drainage of agricultural lands and animals were found with pesticides since all water sources are connected. In other places in California like Clear Lake, DDD was used to kill a small gnat (astictopus). This eventually not only killed the small gnats but it also began to kill other animals in that environment. DDD was found in their fatty tissues. Today, poisons are used in reservoirs for recreational uses.
Chapter Seven
Chapter Ten
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Two The Obligation to Endure
Humans are responsible for the contamination and pollution of the environment. For example, Strontium 90 which occurs during nuclear explosions and causes acid rain. Chemicals that are used are adjusted by man to kill organisms. Rachel Carson also stated that "They should not be called "insecticides," but "biocides." Using these chemicals causes insects to mutate. These mutations from insects causes diseases and deaths and humans to build stronger sprays that harm the environment even more than it already has. The author thinks that poisonous and biologically potent chemicals have fallen into the hands of people who are not aware of the destruction that it can cause.
Chapter Five Realms of the Soil
In this chapter, the author talks about soil and how it is always in a state of constant change. Algae make up the plant life of the soil and is also used for decomposition along with bacteria and fungi. Little wingless mites called Springtails break down the residues of plants and slows down the decay of litter on the forest floor. The most important organism that lives in the soil are earthworms. Earthworms are the agents for transport of soul and increase nitrifying while decreasing purification of the soil. Carson gave an example on how Benzene Hexachloride (BHC), an insecticide, were found in vegetable. These vegetables were rejected by many companies because this insecticide is toxic to humans. This event occurred because insecticides remain in soil for long periods of time.
Chapter Eight
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter seventeen
Chapter Three Elixirs of Death
Pesticides are distributed everywhere through water sources( rivers and streams) which is caused by the growth of industries. Since these chemicals have been found in water sources, it has been researched that these chemicals are also found in organisms/animals. Every year, more deadly chemicals are added. For example, aresenic, chlorinated hydrocarbons, organic phosphorus insecticide(malathion and parathion), DDT, chlordane, dieldrin, aldrin, endrin, alkyl/organic phosphates, dinitrophenol, and pentachlorophenol. All these chemicals are known to be poisonous, toxic insecticides that can alter the nervous system.