http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101015191723.htm
Scientist searching through the deepest ocean trenches around the world have found some new specias of fish. What is amazing to me is the fact that we're so technologically advanced yet we still dont even know 100% what exist on our earth. It leads me to wonder why we're so busy to search space when we could be learning how to better our earth.
What is amazing to me as well is the fact that images were able to be taken at depths of 7000m. I know that scuba divers can only go to a depth of around 40m safely but 7000m is unreal. What amazes me further is how creatures are able to survive as such low depth. It goes to show that human understanding still cannot figure out the many secrests this earth holds.
What was interesting was that not only were these species of fish found in the deep sea off of Peru-Chile but also throughout other areas of the Pacific. It goes to show that no matter where you go and whats around there is always some type of living organism around.
What could probably be expanded next is likely the correlation between earth's global warming and deep sea life. I wonder what effects if any happen to ocean life as such low depths of that amount. I would imagine that it is likely it isn't affected but it would be interesting to read if there is any relation.
Its funny how the article states that scientist not have to re-asses the situation of deep ocean life. I agree with the statement made on how deep fish can live long being that they're as such low depths of the earth. Its amazing that throughout different deep trenches around the earth scientist still find new ocean life. It leaves me wondering what other life there is not only on our earth but also out in space. But I would say that we must learn all we can about our own earth before we should go out exploring other avenues.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Save Coral Reefs.
I remember growing up hearing about the issue of diminishing coral reefs in the world. I would be fascinated by the cornucopia of color and creatures living in these reefs. It was odd to me as a boy that this type of destruction was allowed to happen.
Fast forwarding to today's world it is sad/alarming to me to know that 19% of the world's coral reef penetration is now gone. It comes at no surprise to me to see that within the past 50 years the rate in which coral reefs are destroyed has increased dramatically. I do not view myself as a heavy experimentalist enforcer but even I know that something must be done so future generations can enjoy the coral reefs. Aside from human enjoyment, there must be a fundamental reason why coral reefs exist that goes beyond the comprehension of human intelligence.
What is great about this article is the perspective of change it suggest. Some steps are mentioned in which humanity can change for the good of coral reefs. Some may say these changes wouldn't work but I was happy to see that they have been tested. Some ideas suggested involve on educating local communities, chance runoff/sediment, control fishing, and improving laws that protect reefs. Now I could understand that change can take a while due to drastic measures, but what this article exemplifies is that change could occur with hardly any being effort. The issue however is ultimately humanity's mindset and its desire for this change. Sadly I believe that change will not happen until the remaining coral reef population stands at 30%. Only time will tell.
Fast forwarding to today's world it is sad/alarming to me to know that 19% of the world's coral reef penetration is now gone. It comes at no surprise to me to see that within the past 50 years the rate in which coral reefs are destroyed has increased dramatically. I do not view myself as a heavy experimentalist enforcer but even I know that something must be done so future generations can enjoy the coral reefs. Aside from human enjoyment, there must be a fundamental reason why coral reefs exist that goes beyond the comprehension of human intelligence.
What is great about this article is the perspective of change it suggest. Some steps are mentioned in which humanity can change for the good of coral reefs. Some may say these changes wouldn't work but I was happy to see that they have been tested. Some ideas suggested involve on educating local communities, chance runoff/sediment, control fishing, and improving laws that protect reefs. Now I could understand that change can take a while due to drastic measures, but what this article exemplifies is that change could occur with hardly any being effort. The issue however is ultimately humanity's mindset and its desire for this change. Sadly I believe that change will not happen until the remaining coral reef population stands at 30%. Only time will tell.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Underwater Earthquakes
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/1007-underwater_earthquakes.htm
Lava, Molten Rock, and magma is usually associated as something bad on the ground level. When a volcano explodes it can cause a lot of damage to both the environment and the population. In this odd case though these elements are actually helping in preventing something that has killed many more individuals. Tsunamis. The article mentions that a Tsunami which most every can remember happened in December of 2004 that killed an enormous amount of people. Since then scientist have been studying into the ocean seismic activity. What they found was that lava, molten rock, and magma were actually helping in reducing the amount of earthquakes which would result in tsunamis.
The molten rock, lava, and magma is helping in a fashion of lubrication. By lubricating the faults it reduces the chances of earthquake occurrences. The article mentions that with this lubrication less friction occurs which results in less quakes and less tsunamis. Although these scientist haven't found how to predict these earthquakes yet these findings are on track to eventually finding out how to predict earthquakes in the future.
Lava, Molten Rock, and magma is usually associated as something bad on the ground level. When a volcano explodes it can cause a lot of damage to both the environment and the population. In this odd case though these elements are actually helping in preventing something that has killed many more individuals. Tsunamis. The article mentions that a Tsunami which most every can remember happened in December of 2004 that killed an enormous amount of people. Since then scientist have been studying into the ocean seismic activity. What they found was that lava, molten rock, and magma were actually helping in reducing the amount of earthquakes which would result in tsunamis.
The molten rock, lava, and magma is helping in a fashion of lubrication. By lubricating the faults it reduces the chances of earthquake occurrences. The article mentions that with this lubrication less friction occurs which results in less quakes and less tsunamis. Although these scientist haven't found how to predict these earthquakes yet these findings are on track to eventually finding out how to predict earthquakes in the future.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Incoming ice
A satellite by ESA has been tracking one of the largest icebergs to detach from Greenland. They recorded this detachment back in August. The scale of the iceberg is large, 30km long, 15 wide, 7km from its head, estimated total coverage 245 Sq Km. The good part is that it is traveling slowly, so far since August it has only covered 7km. For now it'll continue its journey down the Nares Strait north of greenland. In the past there have been other icebergs that have detached from greenland and other areas on the planet. In 2008, a 27km iceberg embarked on a similar journey as this iceberg.
Its not surprising to me that such a large iceberg found its way out into the ocean. What is astonishing to me is that the scale of past icebergs were more than half the size of the one explained in this article. This is concerning to me. Last week after reading about CO2 effect on the earth and how it contributes to a sort of green house effect this type or ordeal will more than likely happen more often. Although I don't believe anyone alive today will ever see the dire effects human's have on the earth the future will. This leads me to wonder as well as the effect it has on wild life. I wouldn't want to imagine a world without penguins or polar bears.
It is sad how something drastic must happen before something is done about it. Hopefully this issue will not persist decades into the future. If it did we wouldn't become strictly a water planet but we sure would be close to one. In reality, I dont see anything being done about this untill ships start crashing into multiple icebergs or species start diminishing. I wonder if it has to go as far as seafood being a obscenely scarce resource before something is done. Even so, all the publicity in the world about this sometimes will not spark action. All we can do is hope that something is done from hurting our planet further.
Its not surprising to me that such a large iceberg found its way out into the ocean. What is astonishing to me is that the scale of past icebergs were more than half the size of the one explained in this article. This is concerning to me. Last week after reading about CO2 effect on the earth and how it contributes to a sort of green house effect this type or ordeal will more than likely happen more often. Although I don't believe anyone alive today will ever see the dire effects human's have on the earth the future will. This leads me to wonder as well as the effect it has on wild life. I wouldn't want to imagine a world without penguins or polar bears.
It is sad how something drastic must happen before something is done about it. Hopefully this issue will not persist decades into the future. If it did we wouldn't become strictly a water planet but we sure would be close to one. In reality, I dont see anything being done about this untill ships start crashing into multiple icebergs or species start diminishing. I wonder if it has to go as far as seafood being a obscenely scarce resource before something is done. Even so, all the publicity in the world about this sometimes will not spark action. All we can do is hope that something is done from hurting our planet further.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
CO2 Rapid Release at end of ice age
This article was interesting for the fact that so much evidence can be uncovered through study. I'm surprised that even after thousands of years after the ice age this type of information can still be found.
I can relate to why they wanted to do this study. Civilization needs to know this type of information due to fossil fuel consumption. The article even makes mention of this stating it is urgent we understand consumption with CO1 emissions.
I didn't know that marine phytoplankton was part of the process of removing co2 from the ocean. It was very informative since I didn't know that a cycle existed of this magnitude in the ocean. I've always known how water precipitates up into the atmosphere and then returns back, but never know about organisms in the ocean capable of this as well.
The article explained well how global warming could hinder this cycle. It mentions an example with a bottle cap holding fizz in a carbonated drink. This same effect could happen to our ocean waters if the earth continued to get warm. Eventually, just as with a bottle of coke, these CO2 gases surfaces contributing to more climate change. The questions experts were asking now is how quickly these gases were released at the end of the ice age.
Later the article mentions that at the end of the ice age, more than likely a majority of these gases were released in the Southern Ocean due to its cold climate. Since the surface water of the South Ocean are cold it would be ideally where CO2 gases would have been released. Now however, these same scientist are continuing their study in trying to understand how fast the carbon dioxide comes out of the ocean.
Global warming has been a popular issue since the beginning of the century . I can remember in High School discussing this very same topic in class. In the end some other type of fuel must be found before we damage the planet further. Although I may not be around to see the ending affects of global warming I sure don't want the future generations to struggle because of our mishaps. Sadly, I believe as with everything the reason another fuel hasn't been found is because of money reasons. If someone can make a large profit from consuming limited fossil fuels why look about for more fuel efficient sources? Maybe to this day there has already been another fuel efficient source found. In the end, if this type of consumption continues many will agree that drastic affects could happen to the earth and it's population.
I can relate to why they wanted to do this study. Civilization needs to know this type of information due to fossil fuel consumption. The article even makes mention of this stating it is urgent we understand consumption with CO1 emissions.
I didn't know that marine phytoplankton was part of the process of removing co2 from the ocean. It was very informative since I didn't know that a cycle existed of this magnitude in the ocean. I've always known how water precipitates up into the atmosphere and then returns back, but never know about organisms in the ocean capable of this as well.
The article explained well how global warming could hinder this cycle. It mentions an example with a bottle cap holding fizz in a carbonated drink. This same effect could happen to our ocean waters if the earth continued to get warm. Eventually, just as with a bottle of coke, these CO2 gases surfaces contributing to more climate change. The questions experts were asking now is how quickly these gases were released at the end of the ice age.
Later the article mentions that at the end of the ice age, more than likely a majority of these gases were released in the Southern Ocean due to its cold climate. Since the surface water of the South Ocean are cold it would be ideally where CO2 gases would have been released. Now however, these same scientist are continuing their study in trying to understand how fast the carbon dioxide comes out of the ocean.
Global warming has been a popular issue since the beginning of the century . I can remember in High School discussing this very same topic in class. In the end some other type of fuel must be found before we damage the planet further. Although I may not be around to see the ending affects of global warming I sure don't want the future generations to struggle because of our mishaps. Sadly, I believe as with everything the reason another fuel hasn't been found is because of money reasons. If someone can make a large profit from consuming limited fossil fuels why look about for more fuel efficient sources? Maybe to this day there has already been another fuel efficient source found. In the end, if this type of consumption continues many will agree that drastic affects could happen to the earth and it's population.
Friday, August 27, 2010
The Cove
Source: http://www.thecovemovie.com/
The movie "The Cove" tells the story of illegal dolphin fishing occurring off of Taiji, Japan. Dolphins would be captured in a secret cove where they would be sold for cash. Whatever dolphins were not sold for cash were then killed for dolphin meat.
What was interesting was how the movie portrayed several issues beyond illegal dolphin fishing. The movie mentioned a bit about mercury content in the dolphin meat that would be sold illegally in Japan. It made me wonder if that type of mercury content existed in the meat before the industrial age. With so much junk being tossed into the ocean it is no wonder the content of mercury has been surging in sea food in recent years.
What was also sad was how the movie showed the effects of mercury on humans. I recall reading labels at Albertsons last time I purchased shrimp mentioning the effects of mercury. The movie displayed the full effects of mercury by showing newborns with birth defeats due to mercury. When pregnant women consume food with high mercury content it really does have a severe effect on the child. Although fault cannot be placed strictly on the parent since the movie made mention of Japan's failure to mention meat being sold was dolphin meat. The way the movie explained it, they would portray it as regular fish meat but in reality it was dolphin meat.
Another sad fact was how Japan justified this by stating that by killing the dolphins they would "equalize" the ecosystem. I laughed at this since the ecosystem got along just fine before human's began consuming sea food goods. The movie displayed not only human's compassion for animal life, but also failure to keep the earth clean.
The movie "The Cove" tells the story of illegal dolphin fishing occurring off of Taiji, Japan. Dolphins would be captured in a secret cove where they would be sold for cash. Whatever dolphins were not sold for cash were then killed for dolphin meat.
What was interesting was how the movie portrayed several issues beyond illegal dolphin fishing. The movie mentioned a bit about mercury content in the dolphin meat that would be sold illegally in Japan. It made me wonder if that type of mercury content existed in the meat before the industrial age. With so much junk being tossed into the ocean it is no wonder the content of mercury has been surging in sea food in recent years.
What was also sad was how the movie showed the effects of mercury on humans. I recall reading labels at Albertsons last time I purchased shrimp mentioning the effects of mercury. The movie displayed the full effects of mercury by showing newborns with birth defeats due to mercury. When pregnant women consume food with high mercury content it really does have a severe effect on the child. Although fault cannot be placed strictly on the parent since the movie made mention of Japan's failure to mention meat being sold was dolphin meat. The way the movie explained it, they would portray it as regular fish meat but in reality it was dolphin meat.
Another sad fact was how Japan justified this by stating that by killing the dolphins they would "equalize" the ecosystem. I laughed at this since the ecosystem got along just fine before human's began consuming sea food goods. The movie displayed not only human's compassion for animal life, but also failure to keep the earth clean.
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