Environment Discovery

This month's National Geographic includes a fascinating section on Mars, and the challenges of sending people to land--and possibly live--on the planet. Long-term missions in space are especially complex. And a most important requirement for the crew will be water. Interestingly, my October 2016  Water Environment and Technology magazine features a related article, "Out of this world toilets." The author, Justin Jacques, describes research conducted through the Integrated Water Recovery Assembly Project (IRA) , a joint venture between a Texas Tech University (TTU) research team and Paragon Space Development Corporation. IRA recently received a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) grant to continue research of  ways to reuse nearly 100% of the astronauts' wastewater with minimal assistance from Mission Control. IRA is considering various biological treatment methods--aerobic and anaerobic-- combined with evaporation/condensation and a final p

Some news reports raise concerns that the chemicals used to control Zika-carrying mosquitoes may be as harmful as the virus. Even Dr. Perlmutter, a neurologist and author of the book Grain Brain, notes studies that show exposure of pregnant women to some commercial pesticides may result in a risk of autism for their child. Unfortunately, aerial, truck-mounted and backpack spraying of mosquitoes and their larvae is a very effective way of rapidly killing the insects and reducing the spread of Zika. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), state and local officials decide which insecticides to use, based on the results of resistance testing . Per the CDC, aerial spraying for mosquitoes is not experimental and has been used effectively for many years. Throughout the CDC's aerial spraying site , one particular phrase is key. "When aerial spraying is done correctly . . ." aerial spraying of insecticides is not harmful to human health, as only a cou

Since I live in Florida, where there's active Zika Virus transmission, I've tried to pay attention to the news on this disease. I wouldn't say I'm afraid of Zika, but being a cautious Virgo, I want to know what I'm up against. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a special Zika Virus section on their website. Yes, the active transmission area, in Miami-Dade County, is 6 hours south of my home. But somehow the virus ended up there--so how can I be certain the mosquitoes that carry it won't migrate this way? How dangerous is Zika? The news makes it sound like Zika is no big deal unless your pregnant or wanting to become pregnant. For pregnant women , Zika's effects are tragic, resulting in microcephaly and other severe brain defects. With microcephaly , a baby's head is much smaller than normal because the brain stopped growing before or after birth. These children may endure a lifetime of problems including seizures, develo

In the August 24 blog we learned about the Ocean Cleanup crew and their successful Mega Expedition to the Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch . Actually, there are garbage patches the world over, but the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an area where a large amount of debris accumulates due to ocean currents. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has an interesting podcast on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch . The goal of the expedition was to collect data and map the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, also called the Eastern Garbage Patch. Now Ocean Cleanup --the world's largest project to rid the oceans of plastic--is preparing for an Aerial Expedition to begin on September 26, 2016. The crew will calibrate their ocean plastic sensors and practice surveying above Googles Moffett Airfield in California. Through September and October, they'll fly their beautiful C-130 Hercules aircraft low and slow over the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The project wil

I've been trying to include more fresh vegetables and fruits in our meals. And I've read that it's especially important to buy organic to avoid pesticides and other chemicals that can affect my health. I recently posted on FaceBook how much I enjoy shopping at our local farmers market. It's a fun atmosphere, with live music, colorful produce, jams and jellies, natural soaps and more. Sometimes I run into friends, and get a chance to connect with others in the community. I also like the idea of supporting our local farmers, and knowing my food came from a wholesome source. The food is fresher and seems tastier. And the prices are great too! But can shopping at the farmers market help the environment? Certainly the food has traveled less to get there. Statistics show that most food travels an average of 1,300 miles over a week or more. Buying at the local green market means less fuel is burned and less pollutants disbursed by shipping from far-away places. Als

Hurricane season started on June 1, but the real activity usually comes around this time of year--late August through September. Right now, Florida is getting soaked while awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Hermine . We see the devastation these storms create for people, pets, livestock and property. But how do birds, wildlife, and other aspects of the environment fare? I've always wondered and worried about the animals that get no warning of what's to come. It turns out, the impact to the natural environment severe. Extra nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from leaves and vegetation stripped by high winds and washed into receiving streams can lower oxygen levels as the debris decomposes. Low oxygen, called hypoxia, is the most common cause of fish kills after hurricanes according to HurricaneScience.org . Also, salinity changes as saltwater is pushed inward during a tidal surge--or as fresh water flows outward from flooding, can cause aquatic critters to relocate or die

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) launched a new tool for water prediction this month. Powered by a supercomputer, the  National Water Model  (NWM) will greatly improve NOAA's water flow forecasts for 2.7 million streams across the continental U.S. This highly sophisticated model includes forecasts for snow melt, soil moisture, surface runoff and other important factors in flooding. Information from the model helps the National Weather Service predict the when and where of potential flooding, It will also help predict how deep the flooding might be. As part of NOAA's Water Initiative, the new model is part of a program to help communities and businesses prepare for and respond to severe weather. The NWM will be used along with National Ocean Service coastal models to improve forecasts for coastal areas as well. Forecasts can be done in short range (1-15 hours), medium range (1-10 days) and long range (30-day) cycles. As the 2016 flood i

 Since I wore myself out with tech support trying to get my email working today . . . I'm just going to post some of my nature pics for your enjoyment. Photography is a great way to learn appreciation for the environment around us! Flamingo at the Jacksonville Zoo Sea oats Sunset at Cradle Creek Preserve Beautiful zebra swallowtail  Baby egrets at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine

A damaged hoof or leg on a horse used to be a death sentence. But technology and amazing, dedicated veterinarians have changed that. Dear friends of mine who rescue horses, Chris and Dale Dunn of Ravenwood Farm Foundation, have been involved in helping a young little horse, Bucephalus ("Buc") , whose foot was caught in a fence. Buc lost his entire hoof--an injury that would have likely been fatal at one time. Instead, thanks to the work of Veterinary Inclusive Prosthetics/Orthotics  (VIP) in Bushnell, Florida, doctors are creating a new hoof and prosthetic leg for Buc. On their Facebook page , are photos of fawns, dogs, horses, cows and pigs with their prostheses! The previous owner of VIP, Bob Frank, and current owner, Ronnie Graves were certified by the American Board of Certification in orthotics and prosthetics before adapting their designs, techniques and materials for veterinary use. Thanks to people like Bob and Ronnie, science and technology can not only h