Most people in the world today don't understand the value of nature or the destruction that mankind does to it. Within a few decades hundreds of species of plankton, shellfish, coral, crabs, oysters and mussels may start to die out. Although some marine life may be able to repair their shells fast enough that the acidic water doesn't kill them but they will still be unable to reproduce. The main reason for this includes a rise in ocean acid caused by high levels of carbon dioxide. The current rate of carbon dioxide input is fifty times higher than normal. Researchers have found that this was the problem that killed off many land animals when dinosaurs existed. Not only are the small marine life being affected but also salmon, mackerel, herring, cod and baleen whales. These creatures all feed on pterodos, also known as sea butterflies, the species that is most threatened by this rising acidity. (But I'm sure you read all about Ocean Acid in my previous post :)) Each year the coral reefs are losing about 600 square miles, which is one percent. This makes the coral reefs twice the rate of tropical rain forest loss. It is not just seawater acidification which is causing so much damage, overfishing, pollution and invasive species are proving equally as harmful. It is estimated by 2050 that coral reefs are completely gone. Although forty five precent of the worlds coral reefs are in good health the hope continues that the damaged reefs can recover and adjust to the oceans changing conditions. In every environment there is change but what if we can control a lot of that change? WE CAN!! Pollution for one. Did you know that there is what I could called an "island" composed of trash. This "island" is known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It is located 1,000 miles north of Hawaii and about twice the size of Texas. WHAT THE HECK! And this is caused by us! The patches are composed of high concentrations of plastics, chemical sludge, and other debris that have been trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Gyre. Not only is this very harmful for the marine life such as seals, sea turtles, and birds but these contaminates contains toxins such as DDT which is also found buried in the Coralville Reservoir. When DDT and other toxins such as PCB are exposed the effects are fatal. Quick fact: for every pound of plankton in the ocean there is six pounds of marine litter! This is something that is needing to change ASAP. There is so much damage that we are causing and to change it has to begin with us, YOU! Yes, Iowans can make a difference for something that is thousands of miles away. Start now, this is our future.
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| How the Great Pacific Garbage Patch works |
Most people in the world today don't understand the value of nature or the destruction that mankind does to it. Within a few decades hundreds of species of plankton, shellfish, coral, crabs, oysters and mussels may start to die out. Although some marine life may be able to repair their shells fast enough that the acidic water doesn't kill them but they will still be unable to reproduce. The main reason for this includes a rise in ocean acid caused by high levels of carbon dioxide. The current rate of carbon dioxide input is fifty times higher than normal. Researchers have found that this was the problem that killed off many land animals when dinosaurs existed. Not only are the small marine life being affected but also salmon, mackerel, herring, cod and baleen whales. These creatures all feed on pterodos, also known as sea butterflies, the species that is most threatened by this rising acidity. (But I'm sure you read all about Ocean Acid in my previous post :)) Each year the coral reefs are losing about 600 square miles, which is one percent. This makes the coral reefs twice the rate of tropical rain forest loss. It is not just seawater acidification which is causing so much damage, overfishing, pollution and invasive species are proving equally as harmful. It is estimated by 2050 that coral reefs are completely gone. Although forty five precent of the worlds coral reefs are in good health the hope continues that the damaged reefs can recover and adjust to the oceans changing conditions. In every environment there is change but what if we can control a lot of that change? WE CAN!! Pollution for one. Did you know that there is what I could called an "island" composed of trash. This "island" is known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It is located 1,000 miles north of Hawaii and about twice the size of Texas. WHAT THE HECK! And this is caused by us! The patches are composed of high concentrations of plastics, chemical sludge, and other debris that have been trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Gyre. Not only is this very harmful for the marine life such as seals, sea turtles, and birds but these contaminates contains toxins such as DDT which is also found buried in the Coralville Reservoir. When DDT and other toxins such as PCB are exposed the effects are fatal. Quick fact: for every pound of plankton in the ocean there is six pounds of marine litter! This is something that is needing to change ASAP. There is so much damage that we are causing and to change it has to begin with us, YOU! Yes, Iowans can make a difference for something that is thousands of miles away. Start now, this is our future.
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