Coast to Coast

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SandBar 8:1, April, 2009 Coast to Coast (and everything inbetween) Offices at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium were flooded thanks to a tiny octopus that tugged on a valve releasing hundreds of gallons of water from its tank. Staff report that the octopus is known for its curious nature. Although no sea life was harmed in the flood, the aquarium reported damage to its new ecologically designed floors. (Associated Press, Feb. 26, 2009) British scientists plan to release robotic fish designed to detect pollution off the coast of Spain. The fish are fitted with detectors that can identify the source of pollution, such as fuel or chemicals. The fish cost about $29,000 each and run on an eight-hour battery-no remote control required. The researchers hope the fish will one day be used to detect hazardous discharges at sea. (Agence France Presse, Mar. 19, 2009) Before cooking a pot of fresh crabs, note that researchers have found that crabs not only suffer pain, but retain a memory of it (arguably, not for long.) The re searchers conducted an experiment to test pain using wires to deliver mild shocks to hermit crabs. The crabs vacated their shells-indicating an unpleasant experience. The scientists next offered the shocked crabs a new mollusk shell “home” to determine if the memory of the shock would cause the crabs to switch to a new shell. The shocked hermit crabs overwhelmingly chose the new home. (LiveScience.com, Mar. 27, 2009). In a new study, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that fish from five U.S. rivers contained residue from medications and common chemicals. The tested fish were from waterways in or near Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Orlando. The pharmaceuticals found include a common antihistamine, an anticonvulsant, and two types of antidepressants. Prior research has shown that antidepressant medications negatively affect mating and fighting behavior of fish. (HealthDay News, Mar. 27, 2009). The captain of a 2007 oil spill in the San Francisco Bay has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor environmental crimes. In exchange, the prosecutors will drop felony counts against the captain. The oil spill occurred when the ship crashed into the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The ship spilled more than 50,000 gallons of oil, killing and injuring thousands of birds. Several lawsuits have been filed by federal, state, and local governments to recoup the cost of the clean up. (Associated Press, Mar. 6, 2009).
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SandBar 8:1, April, 2009

Coast to Coast (and everything inbetween)

Offices at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium were flooded thanks to a tiny octopus that tugged on a valve releasing hundreds of gallons of water from its tank. Staff report that the octopus is known for its curious nature. Although no sea life was harmed in the flood, the aquarium reported damage to its new ecologically designed floors. (Associated Press, Feb. 26, 2009)

British scientists plan to release robotic fish designed to detect pollution off the coast of Spain. The fish are fitted with detectors that can identify the source of pollution, such as fuel or chemicals. The fish cost about $29,000 each and run on an eight-hour battery-no remote control required. The researchers hope the fish will one day be used to detect hazardous discharges at sea. (Agence France Presse, Mar. 19, 2009)

Before cooking a pot of fresh crabs, note that researchers have found that crabs not only suffer pain, but retain a memory of it (arguably, not for long.) The re searchers conducted an experiment to test pain using wires to deliver mild shocks to hermit crabs. The crabs vacated their shells-indicating an unpleasant experience. The scientists next offered the shocked crabs a new mollusk shell “home” to determine if the memory of the shock would cause the crabs to switch to a new shell. The shocked hermit crabs overwhelmingly chose the new home. (LiveScience.com, Mar. 27, 2009).

In a new study, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that fish from five U.S. rivers contained residue from medications and common chemicals. The tested fish were from waterways in or near Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Orlando. The pharmaceuticals found include a common antihistamine, an anticonvulsant, and two types of antidepressants. Prior research has shown that antidepressant medications negatively affect mating and fighting behavior of fish. (HealthDay News, Mar. 27, 2009).

The captain of a 2007 oil spill in the San Francisco Bay has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor environmental crimes. In exchange, the prosecutors will drop felony counts against the captain. The oil spill occurred when the ship crashed into the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The ship spilled more than 50,000 gallons of oil, killing and injuring thousands of birds. Several lawsuits have been filed by federal, state, and local governments to recoup the cost of the clean up. (Associated Press, Mar. 6, 2009).