Aquatic Olympians Face a Toxic Stew in Rio
Environmentalists and scientists say Rio’s waters are much more contaminated than previously thought.
1.5 million gallons sewage spill shuts down beaches 20 miles away, Los Angeles
Officials say at least 1.5 million gallons of sewage spewed from a 90-year-old pipe that burst in an industrial area near downtown Los Angeles, leading beaches to close 20 miles downriver in Long Beach.
Ship engine emissions adversely affect the health of inhabitants of coastal regions
This was the main finding of a study on the influence of ship engine emissions on macrophages in the lungs. Since macrophages also play a key role in lung diseases such as COPD, the study is important for understanding the health risks of ship exhausts.
Young artists get creative to help keep beaches clean
A community arts collaboration between the Town of Nags Head, NC and High School students the OBCan project, is in its sixth year. New galvanized steel trash cans festooned with the students’ creative artwork are being placed at several public beach accesses along 11 miles of oceanfront. Vibrantly-colored designs draw beach with the expectation that trash will more likely find its way into the containers if they are eye-catching.
Super bacteria’ discovered in Rio’s waters
A group of Brazilian scientists have detected a drug-resistant bacteria growing off of some of Rio de Janeiro’s most stunning beaches.
Toxic algae bloom blankets Florida beaches, prompts state of emergency; Florida
Gov. Rick Scott, declared a state of emergency midweek in Martin, St. Lucie, Lee and Palm Beach counties because of the toxic algae bloom that originated in Lake Okeechobee and spread to the beaches.
Day at the beach leaves Texas man with flesh-eating bacteria
Vibrio bacteria live naturally in certain coastal waters and are present in higher concentrations between May and October when water temperatures are warmer. When ingested, it can lead to an illness in humans called fibrosis.
An expanded Panama Canal opens for giant ships
A mammoth ship bearing 9,472 containers, on Sunday will become the first vessel to officially pass through the new expanded Panama Canal, a $5.25 billion project designed to modernize a 102-year-old landmark. Others worry about the ability of the nearly 300 canal pilots to safely guide the new giant ships through the snug locks and channels.
Could Seismic Tests Harm Fish?
Eight companies are currently seeking to conduct seismic surveys in areas off the southern Atlantic coast between Delaware and Florida to look for oil and natural gas resources.