Tiny creatures in the Mariana Trench have high levels of industrial contamination. The new findings suggest that even Earth’s most remote locales feel the effects of human beings.
Oceans
Skeleton of orca that died in the Nushagak River printed in 3-D
The Dillingham City School District, Bristol Bay Campus and Nunamta Aulukestai have worked in partnership to clean, categorize, scan, and print the fetal skeleton’s hundreds of bones.
Ketchikan Indian Community checking Ketchikan beaches and shellfish for toxins
PSP toxins cannot be cooked or cleaned out of shellfish, and freezing does not destroy the toxin. Consumption of the toxin can cause paralysis and death.
Evidence suggests harmful algae blooms impact species from humans to whales
There is growing evidence that harmful algae blooms have widespread health impacts on everything from humans to whales.
Chukchi Sea polar bears are thriving but only in the short term
The study establishes a relationship between sea ice reduction and polar bear population numbers. The researchers then used that trend to predict how the world’s 26,000 polar bears will fare in the future.
“Polar Code” a Step In The Right Direction?
According to the IMO’s website, the goal of the Polar Code is to “provide for safe ship operation and the protection of the polar environment, by addressing risks present in polar waters.”