Japan Studies Flora and Fauna Near Fukushima Plant
Japanese scientists are studying how radiation has affected plants, animals, shellfish and other wild flora and fauna living in and around the 20 kilometre (12 mile) no-go zone surrounding the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant.
Long-term Response Plan for Possible Cuban Oil Spill
US researchers have drafted a plan to best prepare South Florida in case of an eventual oil spill off the coast of Cuba. The proximity of intended Cuban oil drilling and production puts the coastal zone at risk from Florida to the Carolinas and northward.
Cannes’ Latest Beach Replenishment Project
The City of Cannes has filed an application with the State services for replenishment services to a number of beaches by recharge of dredged sand on the beach by marine delivery to the affected areas of the south and other coastal beaches. The value of this project is 4,347,826 EUR…
Singapore Raises Sea Defences Against Tide of Climate Change
A 15-km (10 mile) stretch of crisp white beach is one of the key battlegrounds in Singapore’s campaign to defend its “hard-won” territory against rising sea levels linked to climate change…
Belgium fears for its fragile coastline
Storms and rising sea levels could wreak havoc as defences that protect beaches and dykes are overwhelmed. According to the regional authorities, about a third of the Belgian heavily populated coastline is inadequately protected against flooding.
Britain Ranks Top Risks Posed by Climate Change
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has identified potential opportunities and threats for the UK that could arise as a result of climate change. Beaches and historic coastlines are likely to be reshaped by coastal erosion, with the rate expected to increase fourfold, the report said.
Accoustic Pollution and Naval Sonar testing
Over the past 40 years, cumulative research across the globe has revealed a coincidence between naval sonar testing events and acute decompression sickness in beached marine mammals. Under a plan announced by the NOAA, marine mammal “hot spots” in areas including Southern California’s coastal waters, may become off limits to testing of a type of Navy sonar linked to the deaths of whales.
Structural and Functional Loss in Restored Wetland Ecosystems
Wetlands are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems in the world, but because of human activities, over half of the wetland ecosystems existing in North America, Europe, Australia, and China in the early 20th century have been lost. Wetland restoration is a billion-dollar-a-year industry, that aims to create ecosystems similar to those that disappeared, but a new analysis of such projects shows that restored wetlands seldom reach the quality of a natural wetland.
Japan’s Nuclear Alley Conflicted Over Reactors
International inspectors are visiting a rugged Japanese bay region so thick with reactors it is dubbed “Nuclear Alley,” where residents remain deeply conflicted as Japan moves to restart plants idled after the Fukushima disaster.