Seagrass meadows in Guam have decreased by 22 percent, new analysis shows
As the oceans warm and humans migrate to or grow in numbers in coastal areas of the world, scientists are increasingly keeping an eye on ocean seagrasses and their decline. A new analysis shows that seagrass meadows in Guam have decreased by 22 percent.
Florida has a new water problem: red tide on the state’s busiest coast
A red tide that has sloshed up and down the Gulf Coast for nearly a year, leaving a wake of dead sea life, murky water and stinky beaches, has now landed on the state’s most crowded shores in Miami-Dade County.
Thailand bay made popular by ‘The Beach’ closes indefinitely
“Maya Bay”, a popular day-trip destination, was due to reopen this month following a temporary tourist ban. But on Tuesday, Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced the bay will remain closed indefinitely.
Hawai’i land impacted by sea level rise may be double previous estimates
By including models of dynamical physical processes such as erosion and wave run-up, a team of researchers has determined that land area in Hawai’i vulnerable to future sea level rise may be double previous estimates.
PCB pollution threatens to wipe out killer whales
More than 40 years after the first initiatives were taken to ban the use of PCBs, the chemical pollutants remain a deadly threat to animals at the top of the food chain. A new study shows that the current concentrations of PCBs can lead to the disappearance of half of the world’s populations of killer whales from the most heavily contaminated areas within a period of just 30-50 years.
Tsunami sweeps away homes as power earthquakes rock Indonesia
Powerful earthquakes jolted the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on Friday and a triggered a tsunami that an official said swept away houses. Indonesia had declared a tsunami warning after the strongest quake, which registered magnitude 7.5, but lifted it about half an hour later
“A Never-Ending Commitment”: The High Cost of Preserving Vulnerable Beaches
In the wake of hurricanes like Florence, the U.S. government pays to dump truckloads of sand onto eroding beaches, in a cycle that is said to harm ecosystems and disproportionately benefit the rich.
Wash your hands if you touch the ocean in NC – and forget swimming, experts warn
Waters off much of the North Carolina coast are no longer safe for swimming or even wading due to Hurricane Florence runoff, according to a warning posted by the North Carolina Coastal Federation.
Tropical Storm Kirk brings threat of dangerous flooding to Caribbean
Tropical Storm Kirk dropped heavy rain that could bring dangerous flooding to the eastern Caribbean. The hurricane center said that up to 10 inches of rain could fall in parts of Dominica and Martinique. Forecasters said mudslides and flash flooding are possible.