subject: Change in ocean and freshwater environment causing health hazards [print this page] Change in ocean and freshwater environment causing health hazards
In a conference, on Feb. 19, by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, climate experts concluded that U.S. would face grave climate change related health threats, 30 years from now. In a NOAA news release, Juli Trtanj, director of NOAA's Oceans and Human Health Initiative, explained that grasping the impact of climate-change at local level, involving county beach managers and water quality safety officers, had been a herculean task. But all three studies would facilitate managers to tackle both real and expected changes in their towns for the safety of "citizens, seafood and economy", added Trtanj.
Harmful red tides or algal bloom season
Researchers at the NOAA and the University of Washington fear longer red tides, by the end of the 21st century. Red tides or algae blooms season, caused by Alexandrium catenella species is expected to get stretched. Longer algae bloom season brings additional fatal risks for humans from polluted shellfish. "Changes in the harmful algal bloom season appear to be imminent and we expect a significant increase in Puget Sound and similar at-risk environments within 30 years, possibly by the next decade," told Stephanie Moore of NOAA, in its news release. Red tide diffuses lethal Saxitoxin which is deposited inside shellfish. If anyone consumes contaminated shellfish, he could experience vomiting, muscle paralysis, and may even die.
Winds carrying dangerous bacteria to the ocean
Wind is hoisting more dust into the environment, as more of the earth dries off and deserts spread out. Abundant iron in the dust stimulates the growth of hazardous bacteria in the ocean. Recently, researchers at the University of Georgia offered proofs on increased quantity of dusts, blowing from West Africa, which multiply the population of Vibrio bacteria. The bacteria are the root causes of gastroenteritis and infectious disease in humans. "Within 24 hours of mixing weathered desert dust from Morocco with seawater samples, we saw a 10-1000-fold growth in Vibrios, including one strain that could cause eye, ear, and open wound infections, and another strain that could cause cholera," said Erin Lipp of the University of Georgia, in a NOAA news release. Lipp announced that the team will next study the cause of mental strains linked with seafood-related contamination.
2010 the wettest year on record, Wisconsin in particular
As per NOAA's Global Historical Climatology Network, 2010 was the wettest year on record. The researchers specifically examined Wisconsin, the land of 10,000 lakes. The climate-experts say as Wisconsin experienced its wettest year ever, the climate change will leave the place dampened and mushier, in the coming years. Past ten year's climate change has resulted in increase in storms, overflows in Wisconsin, due to its poor sewer systems which is also a major problem. In McLellan's words "Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on urban infrastructure, and these investments need to be directed to problems that have the largest impact on our water quality," The research would throw light on expiring sewer systems all way through the Great Lakes and world at large, said McLellan
