Environmental

Recent Posts

Study warns of potential increase in global mercury emissions, which would impact animals in Arctic region
Posted on 15 May 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

An assessment by a scientific body set up by the eight Arctic rim countries has projected that global mercury emissions could grow by 25% by 2020 if no action is taken to control such emissions, posing a threat to polar bears, whales, and seals and the... Read More

Where is the methane from the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout?
Posted on 5 Feb 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Natural gas in various forms comprised approximately 2/3 of the hydrocarbons emitted from the Deepwater Horizon well blowout. Methane is believed to compose an estimated 87.5% of that natural gas. Sampling in June 2010 found no microbial breakdown of... Read More

Trees damaged by bark beetles slow their uptake of CO2 for up to a century
Posted on 20 Apr 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

As noted in prior posts, bark beetles damage large forest areas, often killing or causing the death of 50% to 80% of mature trees. As these trees decompose, they release CO2, adding to the atmospheric burden of GHG's. New research has identified additional... Read More

Study warns of potential increase in global mercury emissions, which would impact animals in Arctic region
Posted on 15 May 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

An assessment by a scientific body set up by the eight Arctic rim countries has projected that global mercury emissions could grow by 25% by 2020 if no action is taken to control such emissions, posing a threat to polar bears, whales, and seals and the... Read More

Creating protected zones helps the recovery of even migratory fish species
Posted on 30 Aug 2010 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

As noted in prior posts, the creation of protected zones in which fishing is prohibited has been shown to be an effective method for assisting the recovery of fish that do not migrate over great areas. For example, protected zones in the region of the... Read More

More life everywhere, now in great diversity at 2.3 miles below the ocean surface
Posted on 30 Aug 2010 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

As noted in prior posts, life keeps being found in some of the most unexpected places. A recent study off Indonesia found nearly 40 new species in just one week of exploration at a depth of 3,700 meters. Among the finds, distinctive corals, crabs, sea... Read More