sex-changing chemicals

The waterway outside of Washington DC has been noticing a large number of fish whos sex has been changed. Scientist have discovered large quantities of a chemical in the water which causes a sex change in animals. The scientists analyzed blood plasma of 30 smallmouth bass in six different sites, and all fish contained at least one of the listed chemicals as contributors. The contributing chemicals were pesticides, flame retardants and fragrances from hygene products like soap. These chemicals are known as endorcine disruptors, which mimick or block the production of hormones. This may cause the alteration of the animals sex.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/01/070122-sex-change.html

I feel this is how a lot of people think!

http://faculty.virginia.edu/setear/courses/globwarm/images/sciam/comic.jpg

The Yellow River

An article in this months issue of National Geographic titled, " A Third of Fish Species in China River Extinct, Officials Say", by Brian Handwerk, discusses the dangerous pollution and water levels in Chinese rivers. The Yellow River has lost more than 30% of its fish species, and the species that remain are becoming scarce. The MOA official reported that the fish catch in the river is down 40%. He says that, " Over fishing, persistent dumping, and hydropower projects along the river have degraded the underwater ecological environment." The government estimates that 66% of the Yellow River is polluted and undrinkable. Aside from the Yellow River, the government thinks that around 70% of the Country’s rivers and lakes are seriously polluted.
Due to extended droughts and over usage of the water, the river has suffered from decreased flows. With low water levels the concentration of the pollution becomes greater and more species will suffer.

Deadly Sonar

This short article I found at ocean.com titled Deadly Sonar The Brain Crushing Sound was about the use of sonar affecting and even killing marine mammals. High power military sonars send off acoustic signals which can cause biological damage to the mammals such as brain injuries, behavioral changes and sometimes death.

"On March 15, 2000 the Navy conducted an intense active sonar exercise in the Bahamas, emitting high-energy, mid frequency sonar at between 215 and 235dB, creating powerful sound and pressure waves through the water. Sound at 235dB produces a pressure wave 300,000 times more intense than an 180dB sound, and 100 billion times more intense than a 120dB sound, which is like a loud motorboat engine."
In this case, on March 15th 2000, 14 animals ( whales and dolphins) were stranded on the shores of the Northeast and Northwest Providence Channel, and 7 of them had died, they believe the sonar used that day was the cause.

( www.ocean.com )

Sea Smoke

Jan 17th,
I wasn't able to go to class today, but I was watching TV, and because it was so cold they were discussing sea smoke. Apparently, when the air temperature is much colder than the water temperature, vapor or sea smoke appears. Today due to the very cold weather, it showed up in many places in the maritimes.

Giant Squid

I really enjoyed watching the documentary on giant squid yesterday in class. I’ve seen a documentary in the past on Giant Squid and find that this species of squid is interesting and mysterious. I came across a website ( http://www.unmuseum.org/squid.htm ). This website discusses past sightings of the Giant squid, mostly by sailors who thought that they were seeing a sea monster.
I’ve heard about whales fighting with Giant Squid. In this article it talks about a lighthouse watchmen from danger point in South Africa, who has actually seen the battle between a right whale and a Giant Squid. It was said that they struggled with each other for an hour and a half staying underwater for about ten minutes and the whale only coming up for air for around three seconds. In this case the squid won and the whale was never seen. I could imagine it would be quite the sight to see a whale and a giant squid fight!

Captain James Cook

An interesting fact acbout Captain James Cook:

- Unlike most ships during the 17oo's, few of the crew on Cook's ships developed scurvey. Captain Cook kept his ship clean, and required the crew to eat fruit and vegetables when available. He also had carrot marmalade and sauer kraut on board when fruits and vegetables were not available. This made sure that they had sufficient vitamin C, which prevented most of the crew from developing scurvey.

Desert Sea

This image titled Desert Sea cought my eye in National Geographic. It is a photograph by David Doubilet and was taken on the Sinai coast of Marsa al Muqabilah in 1981. I find it really strannge to look at because there is absolutely no visible life in the image. The write up that goes along with this image discussed the photographer more than the actual image itself, so I'm not exactly sure why there is no life. Maybe there is usualy fish but the image was captured when no fish were around. I just thought this was an interesting image to look at.