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News Clips |
Discovery of Algae's Toxic Hunting Habits
Could Help Curb Fish Kills
Recently there have been massive fish kills caused by an algae (Karlodinium
veneficum) found in the Chesapeake Bay and waterways around the world. The
algae emit a poison (karlotoxin) which damages the gills of fish. When
large algal blooms develop, they have harmful impacts on aquatic life.
Studies now show that the algae use the toxin to stun and capture its prey.
Researchers feel that they can reduce bloom frequency and intensity by
reducing the nutrient load that feeds the algae’s prey.
ScienceDaily, January 26, 2010
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100121140342.htm
Philadelphia’s ‘Sustainable Skylines’ Initiative Begins
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) program ‘Sustainable Skylines’ is focused on improving air quality and promoting sustainability. They have chosen Philadelphia as the third city in the nation to pilot the program. The Philadelphia SSI team has chosen the following five projects: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Campaign, Lawn Equipment Replacement Program, Anti-Idling Education, Corporate Support for a Tree Planting Program, and Diesel Retrofits and Replacement.
Unused Pharmaceuticals: a Waste Management Time Bomb
The disposal of unused prescription medications has become a waste management issue for water systems, sewer systems, and landfills. The federal government does not regulate water testing for pharmaceuticals or safety limits. The risks are largely unknown.
By
Burton J. Kunik, MSW Management Journal, November-December 2009
http://www.mswmanagement.com/november--december-2009/hazardous-wastes-drugs.aspx
Managing Runoff One Sprout at a Time
The Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG) opened the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center in September 2009. It includes a 16,000 square foot green roof garden that will be utilized by scientists to study which plants will thrive, provide insulation, decrease the heat-island effect, lengthen the roofs lifespan, and reduce stormwater runoff. The north section was planted with a mix of native and exotic plants currently utilized for green roofs. The south section was planted with North American native plants. Studies have shown that over 80% of stormwater can be retained through the use of green roofs.
By Neda
Simeonova, Water & Wastes Digest, wwwdmag.com, January 2009, Volume 1, Number 1
http://www.estormwater.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=showArticle&articleID=11381
Ten Steps for a Recycling Campaign
This article presents 10
steps for developing or invigorating a recycling public education campaign. The
ten steps include deciding who will do the work, establishing clear goals,
targeting your audience, getting to know your target audience, developing your
message, benchmarking, selecting an educational approach, defining success for
your program, developing a feedback loop, and evaluating your program.
By Katie Brown and Scott Pasternak, MSW Management magazine,
January-February 2010
http://www.mswmanagement.com/january-february-2010/recycling-outreach-campaign.aspx
Phragmites Partners With Microbes to Plot Native Plants' Demise
Phragmites australis is an invasive species from Eurasia that has had dire effects on its cousin native to North America. Researchers from the University of Delaware have discovered that Phragmites australis works with microbial and enzymatic activity in the soil to reduce native species populations. The invasive Phragmites produces higher levels of gallotannin than its native cousin, which reduces native plant populations.
ScienceDaily, December 28, 2009
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091223125135.htm