Make: plastic key rings from plastic fishing rope
Make a plastic key ring
Plastic was invented about one hundred years ago and almost every piece of plastic that has ever been made still exists on our planet unless it’s been burned. So there is plenty of the stuff about. So much so that it is becoming a problem as it litters our lands and oceans. We regularly collect litter on beaches in an effort to help address the problem in our own little way, removing the risk of it returning to the sea or ocean and recycling it if we can. More recently, we’ve tried to find ways of using the plastic – upcycling it rather than putting it in a recycling bin.
Our project this week was to make something out of the abandoned plastic fishing rope that we had collected on the beach. We wanted to make key rings that would not only put the plastic rope that we had collected to good use but would be useful and raise awareness.
The key rings that we designed use nautical knots as an obvious link back to the sea. We found a really simple “How to Make DIY Nautical Knot Bracelets” on the internet and adapted them into keyrings instead. The results were impressive; the key rings not only looked great but there is real feel-good factor because we know that they are made using rubbish, abandoned in the sea.
If you fancy having a go at making your own Nautical Knot Key Ring, here are some instructions:
- Collect some abandoned plastic fishing rope from a beach and wash it.
- Go to the “How to Make DIY Nautical Knot Bracelets” website and follow step 2 which shows you how to create a nautical knot.
- Cut off any excess rope.
- Attach the ends of the ropes together to make loops, not forgetting to add your clasp and ring (these can be ordered quite easily off the internet). There are various ways that you could do this. The method suggested on the website is fiddly and quite difficult using plastic rope so a more durable method is to use a glue gun to stick the rope together or alternatively heat the rope up using a lighter or matches and as it begins to melt, stick the ends together.
- Cover the attached rope end with thread…et voila!
Don’t forget to tell everyone where the plastic rope was from and raise the awareness!


Fri, 07 Apr|
Herbs for Health, walk and make your own ointment and kombucha
Learn about the health benefits and uses of herbs that can be found in the local landscape. Take a walk along the Downs in Herne Bay and make your own ointments and kombucha.
Time & Location
07 Apr 2023, 14:00 – 16:00 BST
She Rose , 165 Mortimer St, Herne Bay CT6 5HE, UK
About the Event
Join Nicola and Jo for a stroll along the downs in Herne Bay, identifiying and collecting medicinal and edible plants and herbs. Learn about the health benefits and use this knowledege to make your own ointments and kombucha.
While we hope that the weather will be sunny, please bring suitable outdoor clothing and comfortable footwear suitable for the walk and changeable weather.
Herbs for Health
Tickets include all materials.£35.00


- Prison Planet.com - http://www.prisonplanet.com -
Arctic Ice Scare — Climate Price Tag Claim Melts Under Scrutiny
Posted By yihan On July 28, 2013 @ 4:00 am In Sci Tech | Comments Disabled
William F. Jasper
The American Dream
July 28, 2013
“Scientists warn on Arctic ‘economic time bomb,’” screamed the story headline on CNBC  on July 24.
Here is the article’s opening line: “The rapidly melting Arctic is an ‘economic time bomb’ likely to cost the world at least $60 trillion, say researchers who have started to calculate the financial consequences of one of the world’s fastest changing climates.”
Sixty trillion dollars is not exactly chump change. In fact, it’s a big chunk of the global gross world product (GWP), which the CIA and IMF put at somewhere around $71.83 trillion in 2012. But climate experts say that the science and the computer models used to produce this latest nightmarish global-warming scenario are no better than many of the others that have proven false time and time again.
The CNBC article is, actually, a reposting of a story from the British newspaper, the Financial Times , which is based on a lengthy op-ed in the July issue of Nature magazine  by Gail Whiteman, Chris Hope, and Peter Wadhams. The author bios for the trio atNature tell us: “Gail Whiteman is professor of sustainability, management and climate change at Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Chris Hope is a reader in policy modelling at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, UK.? Peter Wadhams is professor of ocean physics at the University of Cambridge, UK.”
The academic trio makes some extraordinary claims, among which are:
We calculate that the costs of a melting Arctic will be huge, because the region is pivotal to the functioning of Earth systems such as oceans and the climate. The release of methane from thawing permafrost beneath the East Siberian Sea, off northern Russia, alone comes with an average global price tag of $60 trillion in the absence of mitigating action — a figure comparable to the size of the world economy in 2012 (about $70 trillion). The total cost of Arctic change will be much higher.
According to Whiteman, Hope, and Wadham, anthropogenic (human-generated) CO2 is the cause of this approaching catastrophe. “It will be difficult — perhaps impossible — to avoid large methane releases in the East Siberian Sea without major reductions in global emissions of CO2,” they assert. Ergo, humanity must adopt rigorous restrictions on energy production from traditional carbon-based sources: coal, oil, gas.
Media Catastrophe Choir Sings on Cue
As to be expected, much of the usual mainstream-media choir has run with the Nature opinion piece, with the usual hyperventilating headlines. However, cooler heads are urging the public to relax and treat the claims with proper skepticism until the “science” behind the claims can be assessed.
Dr. Judith Curry, professor and chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology and President of Climate Forecast Applications Network, used “highly implausible” and “impossible” to describe the conclusions of theNature op-ed authors. In her Climate Etc. blog for July 25  Prof. Curry wrote:
The plausibility of Wadhams’ scenario rests on two assumptions:
1. the ‘spiral of death’ loss of arctic sea ice
2. connection of the sea ice loss to a massive release of methane hydrates into the atmosphere on the time scale of a decade
Each of these assumptions is highly implausible, based upon my understanding; the combination of these two assumptions into a single scenario seems impossible to me.
So, if you are not a fan of climate models, I suspect that you really will not like impact assessment models used by Wadhams et al.
Joseph D”Aleo, chief meteorologist at ICECAP.us and Weatherbell.com, authored “Arctic Summer Snowstorm”  at ICECAP, which provides important data, thermal imaging, photographs, satellite images, and weather station records regarding the true picture of the Arctic ice sheets.
Lewis Paige over at ClimateChnageDispatch.com provides a very timely debunking of Nature’s scary methane scenario, in a July 25 posting entitled “Don’t Panic – ‘$60 Trillion’ Arctic Methane Scare Already Disproven.” Paige notes:
Whiteman, Hope and Wadhams base their suggestion that current Arctic methane emissions are caused by recent, human-driven warming — and so might be expected to accelerate hugely, perhaps — on published calculations from 2010 and last year. This theorising began when airborne surveys discovered that methane was being emitted from the Arctic at various locations along the Siberian continental shelf in recent times….
It turns out to be a guess which was wrong, however. Last year a German research vessel set out for the Arctic to find out more about the mysterious seabed methane emissions. Underwater robots were sent down at promising locations, automatic equipment left on earlier expeditions was recovered, and ground truth was established. Because of the lengthy scientific publishing cycle there aren’t yet any published papers, but the results were so clear – and so important – that the scientists aboard the ship were happy to reveal them publicly.
A statement from Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung (Centre for Ocean Research, aka GEOMAR), the organisation whose ship was used, revealed the “surprising result” that methane emissions from the Arctic seabed are “no new thing”.
“Above all the fear that the gas emanation is a consequence of the current rising sea temperature does not seem to apply,” GEOMAR bluntly stated. “The observed gas emanations are probably not caused by human influence,” commented Professor Dr. Christian Berndt, the expedition leader. “At numerous emergences we found deposits that might already be hundreds of years old…. On any account, the methane sources must be older.”
Article printed from Prison Planet.com: http://www.prisonplanet.com
URL to article: http://www.prisonplanet.com/arctic-ice-scare-climate-price-tag-claim-melts-under-scrutiny.html
URLs in this post:
 The American Dream: http://thenewamerican.com/tech/environment/item/16107-arctic-ice-scare-climate-price-tag-claim-melts-under-scrutiny
 headline on CNBC: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100912062
 Financial Times: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c4789928-f44b-11e2-a62e-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2aAfr7xlV
 Nature magazine: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v499/n7459/pdf/499401a.pdf
 Climate Etc. blog for July 25: http://judithcurry.com/2013/07/25/arctic-time-bomb/
 “Arctic Summer Snowstorm”: http://icecap.us/images/uploads/ARCTIC_SUMMER_SNOWSTORM.pdf
 “Don’t Panic – ‘$60 Trillion’ Arctic Methane Scare Already Disproven.” : http://www.climatechangedispatch.com/home-2/11465-methane-scare-disproven.html
 Obama Launches New Global Warming Video as Phony “Consensus” Crumbles: http://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/environment/item/15797-obama-launches-new-global-warming-video-as-phony-consensus-crumbles
 Cooking Climate Consensus Data: “97% of Scientists Affirm AGW” Debunked: http://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/environment/item/15624-cooking-climate-consensus-data-97-of-scientists-affirm-agw-debunked
 German Firms Flee to U.S. to Avoid Staggering “Green” Energy Costs: http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/15502-tna-online-german-firms-flee-to-us-to-avoid-merkel-s-staggering-green-energy-costs
 Global Warming “Consensus”: Cooking the Books: http://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/environment/item/15457-global-warming-consensus-cooking-the-books/15457-global-warming-consensus-cooking-the-books
 Climate “Consensus” Con Game: Desperate Effort Before Release of UN Report: http://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/environment/item/15465-climate-consensus-con-game-desperate-effort-before-release-of-un-report
 Russian Arctic Experts: The Arctic Has Entered Cooling Cycle & Climate Models Are Worthless: http://www.prisonplanet.com/russian-arctic-experts-the-arctic-has-entered-cooling-cycle-climate-models-are-worthless.html
 Arctic emissions cause Arctic warming?: http://www.prisonplanet.com/arctic-emissions-cause-arctic-warming.html
 ‘Pure journalistic drivel’: How does Reuters spin GROWING Arctic ice? By reporting on ‘predictions’ of an ice free Arctic: http://www.prisonplanet.com/pure-journalistic-drivel-how-does-reuters-spin-growing-arctic-ice-by-reporting-on-predictions-of-an-ice-free-arctic.html
 UK Met Office backpedals on Arctic Ice – “…unlikely that the Arctic will experience ice-free summers by 2020.”: http://www.prisonplanet.com/uk-met-office-backpedals-on-arctic-ice-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9c%e2%80%a6unlikely-that-the-arctic-will-experience-ice-free-summers-by-2020-%e2%80%9d.html
 Legal verdict: Manmade global warming science doesn’t withstand scrutiny: http://www.prisonplanet.com/legal-verdict-manmade-global-warming-science-doesn%e2%80%99t-withstand-scrutiny.html
Copyright © 2013 PrisonPlanet.com. All rights reserved.


Attention anglers! Do you have questions about Asian carps?! I’m looking forward to being a panelist on an upcoming free virtual information session hosted by the Invasive Species Centre. Join us to learn more about Grass Carp, one of the four species of Asian carps, and the one that poses the most immediate threat to the Great Lakes. There will also be a question and answer period with a panel of experts. The panel is made up of representatives from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the University of Toronto, the Invasive Species Centre along with myself, an Angler, Fishing Guide & Fishing Content Creator. I hope you can join us! For more details and to register, click here.


National Park Of America Samoa
The National Park of American Samoa is located in the American territory known as American Samoa. The park is actually divided into three different areas comprised of the islands of Ta‘ū, Tutuila, and Ofu-Olosega. This park was legally established by Public Law 100-571 in 1988, but the land could not be acquired due to the traditional communal land system of its native inhabitants. However, in 1993, the National Park Service signed a fifty-year lease with Samoan village councils to acquire the land and in 2002, a thirty percent expansion on Olosega and Ofu islands was approved by Congress.
The National Park of American Samoa is comprised of 9,000 acres of land and water. The Tutuila area of the park is located near Pago Pago, on the north side of the island. It is separated by many features including 1,610-foot Mount Alava and Maugaloa Ridge, which holds Tafeu Cove, Amalau Valley, and Craggy Point. It is also separated by the Pola and Manofa Islands. This area is the only part of the park that can be reached by car, and so is a popular area for visitors. The Ofu, Olosega, and Ta‘ū areas of the park, also known as the Manua Island group, can be reached by plane.
Volcanic islands comprise a large portion of land in the National Park of American Samoa. These volcanoes form a large formation of shield volcanoes that extends from west to east along the Pacific Plate. The islands were formed by multiple shield volcanoes that are grouped together and are made of basalt lava flows. Much of the original lava used to form these islands has broken into breccia, or angular fragments of basalt. It is thought that these islands were created when volcanoes erupted during the Pliocene and Holocene eras. The youngest island in the park, T’au Island, is the last remnant of a volcano that collapsed in in the Holocene era. Because of this collapse, T’au Island holds some of the world largest sea cliffs, reaching a height of over 3,000 feet.
The hot spot that created the volcanoes which formed the islands has shown recent signs of activity, although there has been no volcanic activity recorded in the National Park of American Samoa in recent years. The last recorded eruption of hot spot activity occurred in 1973, when a submarine detected the activity just east of the park. It has been found that an island is forming east of Ta’u Island, following the eastern formation pattern of the park. This island, known as Vailulu’u Seamount, has been found to have formed over the past fifty years and has caused the sea mount to move 14,764 feet from the ocean floor.
There are relatively few native plants and animals in the National Park of American Samoa due to its isolation. One bird species, known as the Samoan Starling, and thirty percent of the plants are native to the area. Some of the native plants include 487 ferns and flowering plants, and there are cloud forests and tropical rainforests located throughout the archipelago. Most of the plant life located in the park originated in Southeast Asia. The islands also include bird species such as the wattled honeyeater, the Pacific imperial pigeon, the spotless crake, and the many-colored fruit dove among other species.
The National Park of American Samoa contains many animal species. The only native mammals that occur on the islands are the insular flying-fox, the Pacific shealth-tailed bat, and the Samoa flying-fox. All three of these species are important to the ecosystem of the islands due to their seed dispersing abilities, but the Pacific sheath-tailed bat was nearly eliminated from the islands during Cyclone Val. Invasive animals like pigs and rats occur in great numbers throughout the park, but these are currently being controlled to preserve the islands natural biodiversity. The park holds native reptiles including the mourning gecko, the Polynesian gecko, the Pacific boa, and seven species of skink. The marine life surrounding the islands is highly diverse and includes 890 species of fish, 200 types of coral reefs, sea turtles, and humpback whales. Ta‘ū Island is surrounded by some of the largest coral colonies in the world.
The National Park of American Samoa has suffered damages in the past due to an earthquake and tsunami that occurred in 2009. These disasters killed 32 inhabitants of the islands and caused many more injuries. Nearly 200 business and homes were destroyed, as well as the main office and visitor’s center of the park. The islands have also experienced landslides, both under water and above water, which were the results of erosion and other types of weathering. Liu Bench, located on Ta‘ū Island, is a large mass of rock that is at risk of collapsing into the ocean. If this occurs, it could cause a tsunami that would be strong enough to damage Fiji in the southeast. The coral reefs around the park are threatened by carbon dioxide concentrations, rising sea levels, and increases in temperatures. It is thought that these threats could wipe out the reefs by the middle of the century.
Image Caption: Looking across Vatia Bay towards Pola Tai, Tutuila, American Samoa; National Park of American Samoa. Credit: Eric Guinther/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)


Description - The First-Time Gardener: Growing Plants and Flowers: All the know-how you need to plant and tend outdoor areas using eco-friendly methods by Sean McManus
There are no stupid questions here. Everyone has to start somewhere, after all. In The First-Time Gardener's Guide to Growing Plants and Flowers, Sean and Allison McManus, the gardening pros behind the popular website and podcast Spoken Garden, answer all of your questions and more.Caring for outdoor plantings can be intimidating, especially if the process is completely new to you. Before running to the hardware store to stock up on plastic bags of mulch and tools you don't really need, arm yourself with the know-how to plant and tend outdoor areas correctly and safely. Doing so saves you time, money, and energy-and helps make the process a whole lot more fun! With help from this easy-to-follow beginner gardening guide, you'll learn:
* Tips for selecting the best plants and flowers for your growing conditions
* The best planting techniques for different types of plants
* How to mulch trees, shrubs, and garden beds correctly
* Pruning dos and don'ts for common garden plants
* Ways to keep weeds out of outdoor areas-without using synthetic herbicides
* How to recognise and manage different pests and diseases naturally
* Insider tips on everything from the difference between annuals and perennials to choosing the best organic fertiliser
* Plus, you'll find time-management advice and tips for effective, resource-conscious gardening
You will close the book not only knowing how to care for your homes outdoor plantings using earth-friendly methods, but also knowing the satisfaction of a beautiful, all-natural landscape.
This book is part of The First-Time Gardeners Guides series from Cool Springs Press, which also includes The First-Time Gardeners Guide to Growing Vegetables. Each book in The First-Time Gardeners Guides series is aimed at beginner gardeners and offers clear, fact-based information that's presented in a friendly and accessible way, including step-by-step instructions and full-colour illustrations throughout.
Buy The First-Time Gardener: Growing Plants and Flowers: All the know-how you need to plant and tend outdoor areas using eco-friendly methods by Sean McManus from Australia's Online Independent Bookstore, Boomerang Books.
Format: Paperback / softback
(254mm x 203mm x mm)
Cool Springs Press
Publisher: Cool Springs Press
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The Kewaunee Power Station—a 556-MW nuclear facility in Carlton, Wis.—will be shut down and decommissioned starting in the second quarter of 2013, its owner Dominion said on Monday. The company said the decision to shutter the plant was based “purely on economics.”
Dominion put the plant up for sale in April 2011 “as part of a regular review of its portfolio of assets to determine which assets fit strategically and support its objectives to improve return on invested capital and shareholder value,” but it has been unable to find a buyer.
At the same time, though it evaluated a number of other nuclear plants in the Midwest for purchase, it was unsuccessful in winning the respective auctions for those plants, Dominion spokesperson Jim Norvelle told POWERnews on Monday. “Most of those other nuclear stations went for sale prior to the increased supply of natural gas brought about by new technologies now available to get the natural gas out of the ground,” he said. “Kewaunee is a small, single-unit station. We were not able to move forward with our plan to grow our nuclear fleet in the Midwest to allow Kewaunee to take advantage of economies of scale.”
"This was an extremely difficult decision, especially in light of how well the station is running and the dedication of the employees," said Thomas F. Farrell II, Dominion’s chairman, president, and CEO. "This decision was based purely on economics.”
Meanwhile, Kewaunee’s power purchase agreements are scheduled to end in December 2013, when prices of wholesale electricity in the region, pegged to declining natural gas prices, have been projected to be low. “The combination of these factors makes it uneconomic for Kewaunee to continue operations," Farrell said.
Plans to shut down the plant depend on a grid reliability review by the Midwest Transmission System Operator. If they proceed, the station will remain under the oversight of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) throughout the decommissioning process.
Following station shutdown, Dominion said it plans to meet its obligations to the two utilities that purchase Kewaunee’s generation through market purchases until the power purchase agreements expire in December 2013.
Dominion’s most recent Form 10-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission notes that as of December 2011, estimated decommissioning costs for Kewaunee were about $680 million. But that figure did not reflect “any reduction for any potential future recovery from the U.S. Department of Energy of certain spent fuel costs,” Norvelle said. As of December 2011, the Kewaunee decommissioning trust had funds of about $517 million. “The trust is fully funded and we believe that the amounts currently available in the trust plus expected earnings will be sufficient to cover all decommissioning costs expected to be incurred after the station closes,” he said.
The single Westinghouse pressurized water reactor on Lake Michigan, about 35 miles southeast of Green Bay, started commercial operations in 1974. Dominion bought the plant in July 2005, and the NRC renewed the station’s operating license for 20 more years in February 2011, giving it a new expiration date of 2033.
Farrell said Dominion believes nuclear power will continue to play an important part in the nation’s energy future and that U.S. reliance on nuclear power for about 20% of its power needs is a “major reason” it enjoys “one of the most reliable, least expensive and cleanest electric grids in the world.”
"The situation Dominion faces at Kewaunee is the result of circumstances unique to the station and do not reflect the nuclear industry in general. The nation will be hard-pressed to meet its energy needs, let alone do so in a secure and affordable manner, without a robust and growing nuclear energy program," he said.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) in a statement on Monday expressed disappointment about the station’s closure, blaming "cumbersome [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)] regulations" for "slowing the process for companies, like Dominion, to take advantage of economies of scale and keep their businesses profitable and open."
Walker said he and 16 other governors sent a letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget in March 2011 expressing concern about the potential cost imposed on power facilities related to cooling water intake structures as a result of the EPA’s proposed revisions to section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act. The EPA is expected to finalize the standards by June 27, 2013.
But Norvelle told POWERnews that the decision to decommission Kewaunee was based on a combination of economic factors. However, “Naturally, any regulatory uncertainty or cost adds to the challenges,” he said.
Sources: POWERnews, Dominion
—Sonal Patel, Senior Writer (@POWERmagazine)


A video clip of a Pakistani news reporter is going viral on social media for his unique reporting directly from the floodwaters. Risking his life, the journalist can be seen standing in neck-deep water as he reports on floods in his country’s Punjab province. The video of the reporter, identified as Azadar Hussain, was posted by Pakistan’s GTV News on its YouTube channel.
The reporter, seemingly calm in the neck-deep water, can be seen talking about agricultural lands of Punjab province being submerged in the floods and increase in levels of water in the Sind river. In order to save the mike from getting wet in water, he can be seen it above the flooded waters. One can only see his head and mike above the water level in the video.
— Naila Inayat ????? ????? (@nailainayat) July 28, 2019
Level of reporting pic.twitter.com/UFZ9lsQVbk
— Knight of lost Rainbows ??? (@Saad612011) July 27, 2019


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Organic & Natural Baby Products
All Natural Baby Soap in Australia
Herbon’s all natural baby soaps are made entirely in Australia. Free from chemicals, animal ingredients and artificial components.
With a driven focus on producing quality personal care products that are free from nasty chemicals, Herbon’s range of natural baby soaps has given Australia an allergy-free collection to trust. An abundance of clinical research and information has previously proven the side effects that chemically enhanced formulas have had on both mental and physical conditions. Keeping that at the forefront of our business’s mission and edge, we’ve established several sensitive, nurturing choices for use on various skin types.
All of our natural baby products are designed to be kind to hands and the immune system.
Comprehensive Natural Products with Material Safety Data Sheet
Our material safety data sheet is available on our e-portal and you can glance through the sheet to obtain a comprehensive insight about storage and usage. Apart from the finest natural baby sops in Australia, we also stock a whole range of body/skin care products, laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, general cleaning products, and pet care products. Invent a green way to lead the chemical free life with Herbon.
All our products have resulted from the extensive research and utilise allergy free products for the manufacturing.
Herbon houses a well-equipped warehouse to furnish the manufacturing of all the products in desired size. With our natural products get into a green routine to witness an eco-friendly future.
Widespread Array of Natural Care Products
If you are looking for a natural hair care products, Herbon suits your requirement with a widespread range of natural hair care products. it includes the best and fragrance free natural hair shampoo. Utilising these non-toxic product helps in nurturing your hair against the external hazards. Moreover, all our products are carefully crafted and committed to be environment friendly. All the products including natural laundry detergent with us is sensitive to hands, immune system, and clothes. The natural baby soaps in Australia available with us are enriched with natural elements to nurture your baby skin affectionately. So, to inculcate the green lifestyle with eco-friendly products, approach us today.


Found 30 - 40 results of 169 programs matching keyword "boil water with ice activity"
Join us as we talk to scientists working with IceCube, a neutrino telescope buried in the ice under the South Pole. In this webcast from Antarctica, we meet up with Ted Scambos, a glaciologist from the University of Colorado and the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Adelie penguins contemplate the water near a photographer at a crack in the ice. In this live webcast, we look deeper into the film 'Ice People.' We speak with noted geologists Allan Ashworth and Adam Lewis, and filmmaker Anne Aghion in our San Francisco studio. In this program Ice Stories crew member Ron Hipschman speaks with Paul Ponganis, who studies emperor penguins. Hear from marine biologist Dr. Stacy Kim, who uses a small camera-equipped remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to investigate the bottom-dwelling creatures under the sea ice. Join Exploratorium Senior Scientist Paul Doherty as he shows us a demo related to Antarctic ice! Paul demonstrates how using Antarctic ice can help tell us what the temperatures of the earth's oceans were, thousands of years ago. We speak to Robin Bell from the AGAP (Antarctic Gamburtsev Province) expedition. This is the first systematic study of our planet's last unexplored mountain range. This webcast was our first this season, and we had some technical difficulties. The POLENET project installed their newest high-precision GPS system on Deverall Island, Antarctica. These GPS systems tell scientists how much the ground underneath the ice sheet is moving upward. This has important implications on the movement of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and its interplay with the rock below. Learn more about it in this audio report from correspondent Kelly Carroll.


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As part of the Farm Biosecurity Program, an initiative led by Plant Health Australia (PHA) and Animal Health Australia (AHA), we visited Gundamain Pastoral Co. in Eugowra NSW, to get footage of the daily lives of two prominent farmers and their commitment to strong biosecurity practices.
The first filming trip took place in Eugowra, NSW focusing on the Herbert family of Gundamain Pastoral Co. The family’s approach to maintaining biosecurity measures is a key aspect of the film, demonstrating how such practices are integral not only to the health of Australia’s agriculture but also to the well-being of the farming community and the nation.
During the visit, the crew captured the essence of the Herberts’ work and how they implement biosecurity on their farm. The aim is to provide a realistic view of the measures farmers take to protect their livelihoods and the agricultural industry at large from biosecurity threats.
The project is not just about capturing farm routines, it’s about highlighting the significance of biosecurity and its impact on the agricultural sector. By showcasing the Herberts’ story, we hope to educate and encourage farmers across the nation to adopt and prioritise biosecurity measures.
The initiative reflects the Farm Biosecurity Program’s commitment to biosecurity education and is anticipated to be a valuable resource for farmers, biosecurity professionals, and the wider community. It will emphasise the message that proactive biosecurity is crucial for safeguarding Australian agriculture.


Ghoulish Food Waste Wanted In Rhondda Cynon Taf
Rhondda Cynon Taf is home of a pioneering dedicated food waste recycling plant in Llwydcoed, which is ready to gobble up all your ghoulish leftovers and turn them in to enough green electricity to power 1,500 homes.
As Halloween approaches residents are being urged to ‘go green’ and fill their green bins with all their ghastly left-overs instead of sending it to rot in landfill.
Did you know that the average household wastes a huge £700 – which is enough to heat a family home for a year or host a monstrous Halloween party for the whole street!
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is encouraging people to do their bit for the environment while having fun with the family during Halloween.
By keeping check on the amount of food we waste in the green bin, you can think about portion sizes and the weekly shopping list and cut down on the food you buy and waste resulting in the whole family saving a packet.
Each year, more than one million pumpkins are sold in the UK, 99% of which are used just to carve into lanterns.
Thousands more children across the County Borough are once again keeping up the traditions by carving pumpkins, ducking apples and taking part in spooky activities at home.
Whilst carving pumpkins is a fun activity, the Council is reminding its residents that the insides of carved pumpkins, and also the shell of the pumpkin and remnants of Ducking Apples, can be deposited in the green food waste caddy, ready for weekly kerbside collection after Halloween.
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure & Culture, said:
“The Halloween season is a time for families to have fun, although it is still important that we remember that we all have a part to play in securing a better environment for the next generation to enjoy.
“The support of our householders towards our food waste kerbside recycling has been amazing so far, and I would like to thank each and every resident of our County Borough for doing their bit.
“We are committed to doing all we can to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and will continue to invest for the future to ensure we have the schemes, high-quality vehicles and easy-to-use facilities that people rely upon to recycle.
”Every day our dedicated Streetcare teams are out and about across the County Borough ensuring that it is a clean, green and safe place to live, work and visit – so recycle your Halloween pumpkins and remnants of your Ducking Apples appropriately as we continue in our fight to keep Rhondda Cynon Taf a cleaner and greener place in which to live and work.
The council has issued the following tips for a ‘Green Halloween’
- Avoid using plastic Trick or Treat bags
- If you are planning a Halloween party, do not send out paper invitations
- Avoid using disposable plates at Halloween parties
- After your party, place any food waste into your caddy for collection
- Make Halloween costumes by reusing old clothes or buying from charity shops
- Bored of the same costume every year? Why not arrange a costume swap with family, friends or neighbours?
- Use the flesh of the pumpkin as the main ingredient in a tasty dish like pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie or roasted pumpkin risotto. Pumpkin can also be used as a cheap and tasty alternative to sweet potato.
- Even pumpkins seeds can be put to good use – toast them in a dry pan or roast them in the oven, and store them in an airtight jar. They make a great healthy topping for soups, pastas, muesli or salads.
- Once you’ve finished with your pumpkin shell don’t forget to compost it or alternatively place on top of your food waste caddie for collection.
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Residents to feel warmer as temperature rises in UAE
(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The residents of the UAE are likely to feel warmer as the temperature in the country is expected to increase.
The weather department said the day will be partly cloudy and hazy. There will be some cloud formation towards the east by afternoon.
"Light to moderate winds will blow in general. The relative humidity will increase by night and early morning over some coastal areas," National Center for Meteorology (NCM) said.
The sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and Oman sea.
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.


It’s no secret that plastic waste is a big problem for the environment. We produce 300 million tons of plastic every year and 8 million tons of plastic is discharged into the sea every year. In fact, it is estimated that 100 thousand marine biota die from plastic every year. Horrified, huh?
Various solutions were made to reduce plastic waste. One of them is ecobrick. Hmm, what is ecobrick and how effective is it for the environment? See more, let’s go!
1. What is an ecobrick?
Let’s get closer with ecobrick. Actually, ecobrick is a plastic bottle filled with other plastic material to meet a certain density level.
The finished Ecobrick can be reused as building material. Because of its benefits, the environmental community in various countries began campaigning for ecobrick making as an alternative in processing waste.
2. What is an ecobrick made?
From its own names, namely ‘eco’ and ‘brick’ which can be interpreted as environmentally friendly bricks, ecobrick can indeed be used as material in building materials. Yep, we can replace conventional bricks with an ecobrick to make a house! Besides that, we can make the ecobrick as furniture, such as chairs, tables and so on.
3. Where did the ecobrick-making idea come from?
Ever wondered, who thought about building a plastic bottle? Well, this idea actually came from Andreas Froese, a German architect who used a plastic bottle filled with sand as a building material in 2000.
In 2003, this idea was adapted by Alvaro Molina. Gradually, the concept of ecobrick is increasingly known and spread throughout the world.
4. How to make an ecobrick?
Are you interested in making an ecobrick? Follow the steps below! First, prepare small-sized plastic waste, such as food wrap, straws or other plastic packaging.
Then, prepare a large plastic bottle (at least 1.5 liters). After that, put the plastic trash into the bottle, use a stick to push it so that it fits inside.
Continue to do it until the plastic bottle is full and weighs 500 grams. Then, close the bottle and the ecobrick is ready! You can combine several ecobricks into one. Voila! You can make your own ecobrick chair!
5. Even though it’s easy, fulfill the requirements for making this ecobrick!
Even though it sounds easy, in fact there are some conditions that you must fulfill. For example, the bottle must be clean and dry. Not only that, plastic waste must also be clean and dry so that no bacteria grows in it.
Bottles must also be solid and hard. To test density, we can press the bottle from the outside. A good ecobrick is not deflated and doesn’t ring if pressed. Simple, right? Try to practice it!
6. What are the benefits of ecobrick for the environment?
What is the role of the ecobrick for the environment? Usually, we never think about the fate of the plastic bottles we throw away.
Ecobrick increases ecological awareness and makes us more concerned with the environment. In addition, small plastic discarded will pollute the environment.
By inserting plastic waste into an ecobrick bottle, it will prevent the buildup of toxic gases that produce methane gas. PET plastic bottles are perfect for sealing plastics because of their long life and protecting their contents from UV light, explained the Sustainability Project page.


The mountain uplift processes of the European Alps are a complex geological phenomena that has continued for the past 250 million years. The ancient Tethys Ocean was more than 600 miles (1000 km) wide and was located in today's area of the Mediterranean Sea. Due to active subduction on both sides of the ocean Tethys shortened to a width below 60 miles (100 km) including its deep trenches. This finally caused the continental collision of Africa and Europe. Consequently, a mountain range developed out of uplifted ocean sediments, volcanic ocean crust piled up onto land, called ophiolithes, and continental granite that partly metamorphosed into gneiss. All of this organized into faulted structures called nappes. The limestone sediments of the Tethys Ocean including coral reefs are now located at an altitude of 8200 ft (2500 m). The rocks of the central alpine crest often contain greenstones. These highly metamorphic rocks originate from the volcanic basalt sea-floor of the Tethys Ocean. They were uplifted to an elevation of 13000 ft (4000 m) during the collision process of the European plate with the African plate. Such geologic processes are rare. Hence they produce rare mineral compositions. Tourmaline and emerald are among the typical minerals associated with that type of metamorphic rock. The early morning light comes across the mountain top enwrapping this lake in mystical foggy light backlit by the sun. Small alpine lakes, called tarns are typical postglacial landforms. They frequently occur in the scooped-out base of cirques that were carved out by the glaciers during the last ice age. Tarns are among the most beautiful landforms in the European Alps.
Pentax K2, Pentax 24mm, f/22, 1/8 second, Kodak Ektachrome E6, ISO 100, polarization filter, tripod
Where Geoscience Meets Art


Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HotPaNTS (Hot-spots of Phosphorus and Nitrogen delivery in Time and Space in agricultural catchments)
Reporting period: 2016-01-01 to 2017-12-31
1. Low-temporal resolution data have been collected every two weeks for 10 agricultural streams and 9 drained observation agricultural fields, for 2 years. This sampling allowed to build a large database of phosphorus, nitrogen and organic matter responses to varying weather, flow and land use conditions.
2. High-frequency resolution data including turbidity, organic matter fluorescence, water temperature and flow discharge have been every 15 minutes for year and a half in one selected agricultural stream, with high eutrophication pressures.
Preliminary results against the original project objectives
Task 1 Building of knowledge base
• Building a database of water quality, nutrient concentrations and optical measurements for the SMPA samples collected throughout the project – The database was created in Matlab and includes 50 weeks of data on optical measurements (absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy), nutrients, total and dissolved organic carbon and turbidity (Figure 1).
• Testing the relationship between in situ optical measurements and nutrient concentrations to account for variation in catchments’ characteristics and flow conditions – The relationships between optical measurements and nutrient concentrations are catchment-specific and their strength vary on a seasonal basis.
• Evaluation of the quenching effects from turbidity, temperature and inner-filter effect, their spatial and temporal variability and calibration and validation of the compensation equations – Quenching effects are much higher for clay catchments but in all catchments undergo significant seasonal variation driven by flow dynamics. Those effects are correctable through compensation equation for the turbidity and temperature range observed in the catchments.
Task 2 Hot-spots of nutrient delivery
• Deployment of the optical sensors for real-time measurements at sampling points in the 2 pilot catchments and collection of water samples to target storm events and agricultural practices – Initial analysis indicated that sand catchments show low quenching effects, thus the optical sensor was deployed in a clay catchment to understand how turbidity and optical measurements vary on a seasonal basis (Figure 2).
• Testing the relationship between in situ optical measurements and nutrient concentrations to account for a variation in flow, water quality characteristics, differences in catchments’ characteristics and agricultural land use – Turbidity measurements can be used as proxy for sediment and particulate phosphorus concentrations. Although CDOM and tryptophan-like fluorescence do not provide universal correlations with nutrient concentrations (since they are site- and season-specific), they provide proxy for understanding solute dynamics.
Task 3 Evaluation of the method’s potential and limitations
• Evaluation of the efficacy of the optical measurements as a proxy for nutrient concentrations based on the database built in Tasks 1 and 2 – as above.
• Determination of the method’s potential, limitations and practical requirements to be used in agricultural catchments to provide quantitative evidence of hot-spots of nutrient delivery – Optical sensors are the future of water quality monitoring. They are portable and accurate and therefore enable targeting hot-spots of nutrient delivery both in space (for different catchments and streams) and time (throughout the hydrological year). However, evaluation of the quenching effects is needed for each sampling site which will result in development of the compensation equations for turbidity and temperature. Another limitation highlighted by this project is biofouling as seen in Figure 2 for uncorrected CDOM measurements in summer 2017. Biofouling results in a build-up of microorganisms on the windows of optical sensors resulting in a gradual decrease of signal between the sensor maintenance visits. This effect is particularly observed during the summer months in clay catchment streams which show high degree of eutrophication, as can be seen in the graphical abstract. Regular maintenance, calibration and cleaning of the optical windows is mandatory.


Location: Haven Reformed Church (5350 N Sprinkle Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49004)
When: Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Open house: 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Program: 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Residents living in the city of Parchment and Cooper Township residents with homes supplied by the Parchment water supply attended a town hall meeting to get an update on the status of the water response activities, and residents had the opportunity to receive more information regarding Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), health impacts and plans for interim and long-term water supply solutions.


Published at Friday, June 15th, 2018 - 17:35:07 PM. Showerheads. By Nicol Novotna.
Save water, save money. One way to defeat poor water pressure is with a shower head that needs less. The average shower head uses 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm), and some older units use more. Shower heads with the EPA WaterSense certification use 2 gpm or less. The EPA says a WaterSense shower head could save the average household 2,900 gallons of water each year, as well as energy savings. Libsack says he’s skeptical of the EPA’s water conservation claims. “It’s the same thing with the [low-flow] sink faucets. If it takes you longer to get the soap off your hands, you still end up using the same amount of water,” he says. “That’s what’s happening with the misting shower heads that promise low water usage: you just spend longer in the shower to get rinsed off.”
I love my time in the shower, the hot water on my head and back relieves many aches and pains. However, my shower used to give me a beautiful even stream of water, but lately I have been getting a few drips, dribbles and random squirts which is just not enjoyable. You don’t need to buy a new shower head it just needs a good clean! Read further for tips on how to clean a shower head, removing the build up of mineral deposits which are clogging it up and affecting your water flow. Shower heads are prone to build up of mineral deposits, dust, dirt etc which affects the water pressure and spurts water out in all different directions. Cleaning the shower head in your regular bathroom cleaning routine will help prevent the build up.
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1. No harmful plastic chemicals potentially leaching into my water.
2. Washable and reusable
3. More frugal than plastic - if I were to purchase 10 water bottles per month at the gas station (which are around $2.00 each) I would spend $20 + tax. Multiply that by 12 months out of the year and I would spend $240 + tax. A stainless steel water bottle is usually between $20 and $30 and should last a long time.
4. Less waste
5. The stainless steel bottle that I have (more to come on the awesome bottle I have) is triple walled so there is no condensation on the outside when I put ice in my water.
6. I put water and ice in it the other morning and I had to fill it up with water 3 times during the day because I drank it all, but the ice did not melt until later that evening.
7. Because of the triple wall my water stays cold for a LONG time.
8. Stainless Steel (if food grade) is non porous so it is easy to clean.
9. It is pretty :)
10. I can use it for hot drinks too.
11. I would much rather drink my well water than bottled water that I have no idea how it has been treated or where it came from. If you research this, you may not want to drink another plastic water bottle from the store :)


Urban Development and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Challenges, International Experiences and Options for Improvement
The Research Unit of Law together with the Austrian Institute for Spatial Planning, opens an external URL in a new window (ÖIR GmbH) are carrying out a research project on the regulation of urban development in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act. This project is carried out on behalf of the Austrian Association of Project Developers, opens an external URL in a new window (VÖPE).
It is often a matter of interpretation when an urban development project is subject to a compulsory EIA. This leads to major problems and uncertainties in practice. The aim of the project is to analyse the EU law sources for the EIA of urban development projects and – based thereupon – the amendments to the Austrian EIA Act. By comparing the Austrian framework to that of other selected EU member states, where EIA provisions are systematically linked to those on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), the project will make suggestions for clarifying amendments to the EIA Act.
Duration: 06/2021 - 12/2021


LifeClean has been proven a high-level disinfectant, eliminating bacteria, virus and spores alike. Still, it is more gentle to humans, animals and environment when compared to other disinfectants in the market.
LifeClean’s broad microbicidal effect is well proven in a range of tests. Even on very resistant organisms such as small non-enveloped viruses and bacterial spores, the product have proved efficiency with contact times as low as 1-2 minutes.
Its virucidal effect is tested according to EN 14476, and its sporicidal effect is tested according to EN 13697. This makes it an excellent choice in the combat against recurrence of difficult outbreaks such as Calicivirus (Winter Vomiting Virus) as well as the hazardous, hard to eliminate Clostridium Difficile.
In comparison with other high level disinfectants, LifeClean is less harmful to humans and the environment. Therefore, it can be recommended also for preventive use on a daily basis – not just for decontamination after severe outbreaks.
Last updated 2016-04-06


PVTIME - Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH), a global energy technology company and the world's leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems, announced today that installers of Enphase® products in Nevada have seen growing deployments of Enphase Energy Systems powered by IQ8™ Microinverters following the product’s launch in North America late last year. IQ8 Microinverters paired with Enphase’s industry leading IQ™ Batteries provide homeowners more energy security as frequent extreme heat waves lead homeowners and businesses to ramp up air conditioners and further strain an already stressed grid.
According to the most recent U.S. Solar Market Insight report from Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association, residential solar deployments in Nevada are predicted to reach over 134 MW in 2022, representing an increase of over 100-fold from the prior decade. Additionally, residential battery capacity in Nevada is increasing steadily year-over-year with forecasts estimating deployments will grow nearly five-fold by the end of 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Storage Monitor report from the Energy Storage Association and Wood Mackenzie.
“Coupled with our proprietary Curb home energy consumption monitor and energy efficiency services, the IQ8-based all-in-one home energy system provides homeowners with an adjustable solution that can meet the specific needs of all our customers,” said Greg Fasullo, CEO at Elevation, an Enphase Gold level installer. “Whether homeowners are looking to power just their essentials or their whole home during grid outages, the Enphase Energy System™ can be customized to do it all.”
“Safety and reliability are at the core of Enphase’s product design,” said Matt Turville, co-founder and chief operating officer at Del Sol Energy, an Enphase Gold level installer. “Powered by high-quality microinverter and battery technology, the Enphase Energy System is an expertly crafted and comprehensive home energy solution that ensures powerful system functionality and monitoring when homeowners need it most.”
Enphase’s revolutionary IQ8-based systems can provide Sunlight Backup™ functionality during an outage, even without a battery. For homeowners who want battery backup, there are no sizing restrictions on pairing Enphase IQ Batteries with IQ8 Microinverters. In addition, with the Sunlight Jump Start™ feature, IQ8 Microinverters can restart a home energy system using only sunlight only after prolonged grid outages that may result in a fully depleted battery. This eliminates the need for a manual restart of the system and gives homeowners even greater resilience. Enphase IQ8 solar microinverters come with a 25-year limited warranty.
“We're proud to offer Nevada homeowners the best solar energy technology available on the market," said Eugene Moebius, founder of Universal Solar Direct. "Our collaboration with Enphase to offer IQ8 Microinverters gives our customers industry-leading reliability, efficiency, and safety while maximizing their investment in a clean energy future."
“The solar industry in Nevada is growing rapidly, providing thousands of exciting opportunities and jobs for people in the region,” said Dave Ranhoff, chief commercial officer at Enphase Energy. “We are proud to work with installers in the state to help homeowners realize the value they can achieve from solar and home energy management solutions, including the economic benefits and ability to control their energy future.”


A low-level trough is crossing the islands and scattered showers across the Grenadines this morning could continue across St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) this afternoon, possibly increasing tonight. Shower activity is likely to decrease during Tuesday. Thereafter, occasional showers can be expected as low level-moisture/clouds move along with the wind-flow.
Moderate (20 - 35km/h) east south-easterly breeze should increase to fresh (up to 40km/h) by Tuesday, turning east north-easterly late Wednesday as High Pressure builds across the region.
Moderate sea conditions are across our islands, with northerly swells


22 September is World Car Free Day, an event that aims to promote ecological awareness among the world's citizens, contributing to the care of people's health and the environment.
Car use makes our lives easier by allowing us to travel comfortably from one place to another, but the increase in the number of vehicles circulating in large cities significantly increases their carbon footprint, causing irreparable damage to the ozone layer.
How did World Car Free Day originate?
The origin of this world day dates back to 1973, when several European countries saw their oil and therefore fuel reserves limited because the Arab countries allied in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) suspended the sale of oil to the countries that supported Israel during the Yom Kippur war.
Thus, some alternatives to reduce the use of vehicles began to emerge, such as the rationing of petrol, as well as the promotion of the use of more efficient means of transport.
In October 1994, a number of cities around the world began to implement Car Free Day. The pioneers were Reykjavik (Iceland), La Rochelle (France) and Bath (UK).
Great Britain became the first country to adopt this initiative on a national level in 1997. As early as 2000, the European Commission declared 22 September as World Car Free Day, extending the activities associated with the celebration for a whole week, known as European Mobility Week.
Why is it advisable not to use the car?
The reason for proclaiming a World Car Free Day was mainly focused on raising awareness of the real use that should be made of this means of transport.
Generally, people tend to travel comfortably in their cars even for short distances, increasing traffic, chaos and air pollution.
Road traffic contributes to the emission of highly harmful gases and particles generated by the internal combustion engines of vehicles, such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxides (NOx).
On the other hand, the continuous use of vehicles implies a fixed cost that affects household income: petrol, parking, preventive and corrective maintenance, insurance payments and taxes.
Cars not only generate more environmental and noise pollution. They also contribute to an increase in traffic accidents and loss of life.
They also encourage people to be sedentary by not walking to get around, causing consequences in the body, such as morbid obesity.
The initiative to create this World Walking Day allows us to reconnect with our bodies and the environment. It also promotes the various transport and mobility alternatives, such as the underground train system (metro), the use of bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades and, why not, simply walking.
Share useful and interesting information on social media about World Carfree Day, using the hashtag #worldcarfreeday


Climate change is the single biggest threat to native salmonids in California, according to a new study from California Trout and the University of California, Davis.
By Alastair Bland
CONSERVATION GROUPS, FISHING organizations and biologists have been working tirelessly for decades to protect California’s trout and salmon. They have restored floodplains where juveniles find food and shelter, are arranging to remove obstructive dams from the Klamath River and are constantly badgering water agencies to maintain suitable flows in important spawning streams
But a new report released Tuesday suggests their efforts may be largely for naught. Three-fourths of California’s native species and subspecies of salmonids may be extinct within 100 years, according to biologists at the University of California, Davis, and the watershed advocacy group California Trout. In their study, “State of the Salmonids II: Fish in Hot Water,” the authors warned that climate change impacts and the severe degradation of habitat of wild rivers that continues to this day could extinguish almost half of California’s 32 types of native salmon and trout within 50 years.
Maintaining populations of wild salmon and trout is important since it essentially requires maintaining healthy sources of clean, cold water, which is good for much more than just fish. “Resilient fish populations indicate healthy waters, important for drinking water, agriculture, commerce and the health of people and the environments in which we live,” the report notes. “Declining fish populations indicate degraded waters, which threaten the health and economic well-being of all Californians.”
According to the report, the most threatened of California’s native salmonids are the southern steelhead, the winter-run Sacramento River Chinook salmon and the Central California coho salmon. The bull trout, last seen in California in the McCloud River in 1975, is already locally extinct. The coastal rainbow trout, the biologists said, may be California’s only native salmonid to survive for the long haul in any abundance.
The scientists wrote that agricultural demands for river water, population growth and alteration of the San Francisco Bay and Delta ecosystem are major factors affecting salmonids’ long-term survival odds. Fish hatcheries that boost catchable numbers of salmon and steelhead but dilute native species’ gene pools are also problematic. Wildfires, which are getting bigger and more frequent, also pose a threat to mountain trout populations.
No single stressor, however, is likely to outweigh the broad and devastating impacts of climate change.
“It is the major, overarching anthropogenic threat affecting salmonids in California,” the authors wrote.
River water just a few degrees above a critical threshold can easily kill salmon and trout at any of their life stages, from fertilized egg to spawning adult. This makes rising temperatures especially worrisome. Because mountain snowpack will melt earlier and faster each year under warmer conditions, streams may swell more rapidly to flood stages in the spring, then quickly diminish again in the hot, dry summer months – precisely when certain runs of fish need cold water the most.
Warming trends could also upend wind and current cycles that drive ocean upwelling, which brings nutrients to the surface and provides food for salmon. Even sea level rise, caused by the melting of polar ice caps, will impact salmon by submerging valuable marshland and lagoons where young fish find shelter and food, the report states.
But the authors said there is hope for preserving fish populations. Curtis Knight, executive director of California Trout, said at a press conference Tuesday that restoring mountain meadows could be one effective strategy for keeping spawning streams flowing all year. That’s because meadows can absorb water like giant sponges and release it slowly into creeks through the dry summer months – a service currently provided by summer snowpack but which is threatened by global warming.
The authors also recommended restoring floodplains alongside rivers. Research by California Trout has demonstrated that flooding seasonal cropland in the Sacramento Valley can significantly improve survival rates of juvenile Chinook salmon born far upstream. Inundated floodplains provide young fish with abundant food as well as refuge from predators and deadly irrigation pumps.
Report coauthor Peter Moyle, a biologist with U.C. Davis’s Center for Watershed Sciences, wrote in a foreword to the study that preserving salmon and trout in California will make waves far beyond the state’s own waters.
“[W]hat we Californians do to enhance the resilience of our native fishes is likely to set examples for the rest of the world,” Moyle wrote.
In a statement, Knight said that keeping cold water flowing through a natural stream channel – the basic conditions that trout and salmon need – shouldn’t be a terribly difficult task in California.
“We’re the innovators, the pioneers, one of the most important food-producing regions in the world, and the leaders in technology,” he wrote. “What would the loss of our native fish mean for who we are?”
Originally appeared at newsdeeply.com


- Watershed Inventory Workbook for Indiana [PDF]:
- This workbook is designed for groups who are beginning to develop watershed management plans and are seeking guidance to complete a watershed inventory.
- U.S. EPA Handbook, Chapter 5 (Gather Existing Data and Create a Watershed Inventory) [PDF] and Chapter 6 U.S. EPA Handbook (Identify Data Gaps and Collect Additional Data if Needed) [PDF]:
- These chapters contain information to assist in planning your inventory efforts. Read these chapters to find out what kind of data you need, where you can find it, and what to do if you need to collect new data.
- Chapters 3-4 Indiana Watershed Planning Guide:
- The Indiana Watershed Planning Guide provides watershed management planning information to Indiana’s watershed groups and communities. These chapters provide tips and resources for performing both water quality and land use investigations.
- U.S. EPA: How’s My Waterway:
- How's My Waterway was designed to provide the public with information about the condition of their local waters based on data that states, federal, tribal, local agencies and others have provided to U.S. EPA. Water quality information is displayed on 3 scales in How’s My Waterway: community, state and national. More recent or more detailed water information may exist that is not yet available through U.S. EPA databases or other sources.
Integrating Community Concerns
- Stakeholder Involvement: See "Planning" section
Tier I: Desktop / Base Layers
- Interactive Maps and Geospatial Downloading (IndianaMap):
- Through the IndianaMap the Indiana Geological Survey offers a suite of interactive mapping tools and data layers which allow users to create custom maps using a variety of geographic, geologic, environmental, and demographic content. The maps can be viewed or printed at any scale using only a Web browser. Desktop GIS users may also connect to the map services directly and download the data for use with existing GIS applications.
- GIS Links for Watershed Management Planning [DOC]:
- Need GIS data to download into your desktop GIS software? Don’t have desktop software and want to use online mapping? Go to this page to see online sources of data.
- U.S. EPA’s EnviroFacts Data Warehouse and U.S. EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO):
- EnviroFacts is a database that is connected to state databases in many program areas, including permitted dischargers, drinking water facilities, brownfields, hazardous waste sites, grants awarded in area of interest, and compliance history. Although the site states that information from Indiana has been frozen since 2006, Indiana’s records are available in the database, aside from the occasional glitch. For more detailed information about a facility’s compliance history, check out U.S. EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) website. Note that the quarters out of compliance information may not be accurate, but the effluent charts are very useful.
Water Monitoring Data
- Indiana’s 303(d) Impaired Waters List and Total Maximum Daily Load reports:
- Indiana’s 303(d) Impaired Waters List contains a listing of waterbody segments that have been determined by the state as impaired. States are required to prepare Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) reports for all waterbodies on the 303(d) Impaired Waters List. These reports include data for the pollutant of concern and can provide the basis for a watershed management plan.
- Indiana Water Monitoring Inventory:
- The Water Monitoring Inventory is a Google based map of water monitoring stations across the state. It includes site name, parameters sampled, and dates sampling has occurred or is occurring, as well as how to obtain the data collected. Inclusion on this site is voluntary, so although it is the most comprehensive clearinghouse of data, it may not include everything. You may also upload your data to this site.
- USGS Stream Gage Data (Flow):
- Flow and stage data for streams that contain a USGS gage are available from this site. Bookmark this Web site to assist in calculating loads if you have not collected flow data during your sampling effort. This site even includes a tutorial to help you retrieve data and interpret the results.
- Geographic Information System (GIS) Tools for Watershed Management:
- This Web site contains links to several Web-based GIS tools, including an online watershed delineation tool that calculates the watershed area draining to a point selected on an interactive map. Once you have delineated the watershed, you can use other tools on the Web site to estimate the impervious area, run hydrologic models such as L-THIA or download the data for use in a GIS program.
- Google Maps and Google Earth:
- Google Maps and Google Earth can give you the “bird’s eye view” of your watershed. From this vantage point, you can get a general picture of land use, potentially see sediment plumes, identify riparian buffers, and even see some structural practices. You can also use Google Maps to record and share information in a free, online format
Tier II: Field / Windshield Survey
- Michigan DEQ Stream Crossing Watershed Survey Procedure:
- This manual includes information on how to design a watershed survey, as well as field data sheets that can be used to record observations.
- Watershed Inventory Workbook for Indiana:
- This workbook provides a detailed instruction on what to look for as you are conducting a windshield survey in your watershed. It also includes blank worksheets for your use.
- Windshield Survey Forms:
- These are a few examples of windshield survey forms from local watershed groups and around the web that you can use or tailor to fit your specific windshield survey data collection needs.
- Urban Subwatershed Restoration Manual series field data sheets [PDF]:
- Various visual assessment field data sheets for urban settings, including outfalls, erosion, channel modification, trash and debris, as well as others. Some data sheets may be applicable to suburban watersheds as well. Note: There is no charge to download the materials, but you will need to create an account first.
- Monitoring Water in Indiana: Choices for Nonpoint Source and Other Watershed Projects (aka "The Purdue Handbook")
- This project was commissioned by the IDEM Nonpoint Source Program to guide sponsors of Section 319 grants in how to conduct water quality monitoring. The handbook lays out required and supplemental parameters, possible monitoring objectives, references to how other Indiana agencies monitor water quality, and Indiana water quality standards or potential targets. Though not required for non-grantees, all watershed groups may find the guide helpful for answering their monitoring questions.
- National Environmental Methods Index:
- Want to know the different ways you can measure nitrogen? Not sure how you are going to collect biological information? Use this Web site maintained by the United States Geological Survey to decode those elusive methods and find out how professionals measure water quality parameters. There’s even an estimate of cost associated with each method.
- USGS Water Resources:
- Use this Web site to find USGS data and publications on your watershed, general surface water quality information, stream gage information, daily streamflow conditions and specific information for Indiana. This is a large site – look around and find out what is useful for you.
- NRCS Handbooks:
- Handbooks related to animal waste management, hydrology, nutrient management, nutrient credit trading, pest management, stream restoration, water management and water quality assessment are available at this site. Though the water quality assessment handbook [PDF] is probably most pertinent for this stage of planning, poke around and don’t miss any of the good stuff in these handbooks!
- Catalog of Monitoring Protocols Used by Indiana Agencies:
- This Web site has compiled monitoring protocols information for all of Indiana’s state and federal agencies into one convenient site. No access code is required to access the site, but the site cannot be edited without permission from Purdue University.
- IDEM External Data Framework:
- The external data framework describes IDEM Office of Water Quality (OWQ) policy regarding the agency use of external data, the guidelines for submitting data and the technical assistance necessary to facilitate greater collaboration between OWQ and external parties.
- Hoosier Riverwatch Training Manual, Chapter 2 [PDF]:
- Designing a water quality study is not a cookie cutter affair. Chapter two of this manual walks you through the questions you should answer in order to design an appropriate monitoring program.
- Extension Publications on Designing Your Monitoring Strategy:
- One size does not fit all when it comes to monitoring. Check out the “Designing Your Monitoring Strategy” and “Monitoring Matrix” portion of this page for tips on what to think about when you are putting your program together.
- Sampling Cost Table [PDF]:
- Unfortunately, tight budgets have an influence on study design. Use this reference, put together by TetraTech, to help determine what parameters and protocols you can afford.
- U.S. EPA’s Volunteer Monitor’s Guide to Quality Assurance Project Plans [PDF]:
- General information regarding quality assurance project plans and monitoring programs across the nation. The guide also provides a good introduction to quality assurance, which determines the reliability of data.
- IDEM Nonpoint Source Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) Guidance:
- An introduction to the QAPP, including why you need one! The checklist, guidance and template are required for Section 319 grantees, but others will find it useful as well.
- Hoosier Riverwatch Volunteer Stream Monitoring Training:
- Hoosier Riverwatch training takes you through the basic theory and practice of taking stream samples and habitat measurements so that you can go back to your watershed and sample streams. During the training you will practice using the test kits and interpreting your results.
- U.S. EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Streams and Wadable Rivers [PDF]:
- This handbook provides a method to measure habitat, periphyton (algae), benthic macroinvertebrates and fish. Appendices include sample field and laboratory data sheets, instructions for completing the data sheets, and examples of high quality and low-quality streams for each parameter. While data collection is relatively easy using these protocols, analysis requires a higher level of sophistication.
- Example Spreadsheets, Data Sheets, and Forms (Spreadsheet Template for Chemistry and Biological Samples [XLS], Field Data Sheet examples [PDF], Chain of Custody forms [DOC])
- These spreadsheets, forms, and data sheets can be used or tailored to help meet your water quality data collection and management needs. Additional examples are also available:
Analysis and Interpretation
- U.S. EPA Handbook (Analyze Data to Characterize the Watershed and Pollutant Sources), Chapter 7 [PDF]:
- This chapter provides information on how to analyze your data, including identifying locations and timing of impairments, as well as potential sources.
- Section 319 Guidance Document on Water Quality Targets:
- This document includes a summary of water quality parameters that watershed groups are often concerned with, the associated Indiana Water Quality Standard (where applicable), and example targets and references for parameters for which standards currently do not exist.
- Data2Maps (D2M):
- Locally led watershed projects need to be able to demonstrate what the water quality data of their local area is in order to attract support. Being able to show people where the problems are in the watershed is an important tool for building public support. D2M is a custom Excel application in which users can overlay their sampling data on static maps and do preliminary assessment and analyses. The outputs can be printed directly from D2M or pasted into other applications (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word) for outreach and reporting materials.
- Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology (CALM) [DOC]:
- This document outlines how IDEM makes decisions on the waters that it assesses. Use the document to gain insight into how to interpret your own data.
- Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) [PDF]:
- This Ohio EPA document describes how to conduct a habitat assessment. A field data sheet [PDF] can also be found here.
- Macroinvertebrate Index of Biotic Integrity (mIBI):
- IDEM is currently developing a new protocol for the mIBI. The updated protocol will be posted when it becomes available. (Currently Unavailable)
- Indiana Trophic State Index:
- An index that scores water quality in Indiana lakes which was developed in 1972 after a modified BonHomme Index.
- A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting a Social Profile for Watershed Planning [PDF]:
- A social profile will tell you the demographics of your area, the attitudes of residents, economic vitality of the area, and land use trends in the watershed. Not only will the science illustrate what is physically happening in the watershed, but this profile will allow you to better understand why it is happening.
- Load Estimate / Modeling: See "Planning" Section
- Indicators: See "Evaluate" Section


Friday, 16 August 2019
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Energimyndigheten, the Swedish issuing body, released a statement yesterday announcing that Swedish EECS-GOs will be stopped from being imported to the region of Flanders, Belgium. The law governing this decision comes into force on the 17th of August 2019.
The Belgian region of Flanders decided on the 3rd of April that GOs from electricity production, measured prior to the electricity being fed into the grid is not eligible for GOs (see our previous
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Archives of Biological Sciences 2010 Volume 62, Issue 2, Pages: 407-418
Full text ( 303 KB)
Effects of the control method (Goč variety) in selection forest management in Western Serbia
Medarević M., Banković S., Pantić D., Obradović Snežana
The control method, one of the most reliable methods of selection forest management, has been applied in selection forests of western Serbia in a somewhat modified form (Goč variety) for fifty years. This paper analyzes the effects of the control method, i.e. its Goč variety, in the period from 1960/70 - 2000. It is based on the data of five successive complete inventories of the Forest Management Unit (FMU) 'Tara', whose high selection forest of spruce, fir and beech (Piceo-Abieti-Fagetum subass. typicum) trees on diluvium, brown and illimerised soil on limestone, and on limestone in formation with hornfels, are the best quality and the most spacious forests in the Management Class MC 491/1. The effects were monitored through the changes in the distribution of the number of trees and volume per diameter classes, separately for fir as the protagonist of the selection structure, and collectively at the level of a compartment, a typical representative of MC 491/1. Also, the analysis included the changes in the number of trees, volume, current volume increment, yield, and number of recruited trees per unit area (1 ha) by tree species in MC 491/1, occupying an area of 2,648.78 ha. The study results show that in the study period the average volume in MC 491/1 increased by 18.8%, the percentage of conifers increased from 66.0% to 78.5%, and the bearer of the changes was fir. The volume of the mean fir tree increased by 35.9% and it attained 1.086 m3. The volume increment increased by 15.7%. The selection structure of conifers was satisfactory, but there were problems with beech regeneration, in its stable presence and in its achievement of the targeted structure. The number of trees per unit area (1 ha) decreased, which in the long run could have detrimental consequences, but the sustainability in general was satisfactory. The levels of regeneration and recruitment were satisfactory. The health of the trees was improved; the stands were healthy, vital, and biologically and functionally stable. The study results point not only to a series of positive effects of the several-decades' long implementation of the Goč variety of the control method, but also to some problems, the understanding of which will have a corrective role in the future management of selection forests in western Serbia.
Keywords: Control method, Goč variety, effects, selection forest
More data about this article available through SCIndeks


Strategic Advisor and Empower Management Board Member
Dr. Evan Blumer has worked for more than 25 years to integrate wildlife, habitat and energy conservation strategies with new, sustainable development models. Trained as a Wildlife Veterinarian and Conservation Biologist, Evan spent much of his career building the Wilds, one of the largest and most innovative Conservation, Science and Education Centers in the world.
In addition to his work with wildlife and habitat conservation, Evan’s efforts at the Wilds also resulted in the development of new models for the integration of advanced energy and land-use strategies, including (with David Wilhelm) the original ideas behind the Turning Point Solar project. Evan now works on numerous international sustainable development projects, including a broad array of advanced and transitional energy strategies. Evan’s academic training includes Bucknell University (B.S.), State University of N.Y. at Stony Brook (M.S.), and the University of Pennsylvania (V.M.D. and Ph.D. program).


According to research, the UK consumed 309.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2016.
In 2016, the primary sources of electricity generation were fossil fuels (67.3%), nuclear power (21.1%), renewables (11.4%) and other sources (0.2%).
Let’s have a quick look at each energy source below.
These are the largest source of electricity generation, accounting for around two-thirds of all ages in 2016.
There are many fossil fuels, but coal and gas are the most used sources to produce electricity.
Coal is a fossil fuel and the largest source of electricity generation in the UK.
In 2016, coal-fired power stations generated around a quarter of all electricity.
However, coal use has been declining in recent years due to some factors, including introduction of environmental regulations, the rise of renewable energy and the fall in global coal prices.
As a result, several coal-fired power stations have closed or are scheduled to close in the coming years.
In addition, gas is a fossil fuel and the second-largest source of electricity generation in the UK.
In 2016, gas-fired power stations generated around 40% of all electricity.
Gas use has grown as some coal-fired power stations have closed in recent years.
Gas is also an essential fuel for domestic heating and cooking, as well as for industry.
Nuclear power is the third-largest source of electricity generation in the UK. In 2016, these power stations generated around 21% of all electricity.
Nuclear power has been a controversial matter in the UK, with some accidents and incidents raising safety concerns.
However, nuclear power is considered a low-carbon energy source and plays an essential role in helping to meet climate change goals.
As of now, renewables are currently the second-largest source of electricity after fossil fuels.
The majority of renewable generation comes from wind power (6.3% of total generation), followed by biomass (2.7%), hydropower (1.9%) and solar PV (1.5%).
In 2016, renewables generated around 11% of all electricity.
Renewables are a crucial part of the UK’s strategy to decarbonise the electricity system and meet climate change targets.
Energy in the UK Now
Overall, electricity generation in the UK has undergone a significant transformation.
The share of generation from renewables has increased, while the share from coal has declined sharply.
But, due to the increasing cost of gas used to generate a large proportion of the UK’s electricity, wholesale business energy prices in the UK have risen significantly in recent years.
The increase in wholesale gas price is primarily due to the increasing cost of imported gas, as the UK has become increasingly reliant on imports to meet its needs.
It is also affected by the amount of renewable energy produced.
Indeed, renewables are generally more expensive to generate than fossil fuels, so prices go up when they make up a more significant proportion of the mix.
The UK government has introduced several measures to keep gas prices down to cope with the increasing costs, such as investing in new nuclear power and encouraging energy efficiency.
However, these have not been enough to offset the rising costs.
As a result, electricity prices for consumers have also been rising.
The average household bill has gone up by around £100 in the last few years. Now it is about £1,200 a year.
The government is currently under pressure to do more to help reduce the cost of living for families.
However, it is unclear how they can do this without affecting the security of supply or increasing carbon emissions.
The UK has dedicated itself to reducing its emissions of greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels.
However, this will require a significant electricity system transformation, as it currently relies heavily on fossil fuels.
They also need to ensure enough electricity generation capacity to meet future demand.
This is a challenge as some older power stations will close in the coming years.
Finally, the UK government has pledged to keep energy bills as low as possible for households and businesses.
This is a challenge given the need to invest in new low-carbon infrastructure and the fall in global energy prices.
Roles and Responsibilities: Ofgem and National Grid
To keep everything related to energy in check, two essential organisations play a significant role in the electricity system in the UK: Ofgem and the National Grid.
Let’s take a look at their roles and responsibilities below:
Ofgem is the primary government regulator for the electricity and gas markets in England, Wales and Scotland.
Ofgem’s central role is to safeguard the interests of consumers by encouraging competition and ensuring that prices are fair.
It also has many other responsibilities, such as setting environmental standards and approving new power stations.
National Grid manages the flow of electricity around England, Wales, and Scotland. It does this by offsetting supply and demand in real-time.
National Grid also owns and operates many vital pieces of infrastructure, such as power stations, transmission lines and substations.
In addition, National Grid is responsible for ensuring enough generating capacity to meet peak demand.
This includes maintaining a reserve margin of power, which they can use to meet sudden increases in demand or unexpected outages.
How Does The Market For Electricity Work In The Uk?
Here are some quick Business Energy Insights. The UK electricity market is a wholesale market, where generators sell electricity to suppliers at varying prices. As a result, the cost of electricity changes depending on demand and supply conditions.
Suppliers then sell electricity to consumers at fixed prices. The price at which they buy electricity and the price at which they sell it is known as the ‘supplier margin’.
Difference Between a Supplier and Distributor
You might be wondering if there is a difference between an electricity supplier and an electricity distributor.
An electricity supplier is a company that sells electricity to consumers. An electricity distributor is a company that owns and operates the wires and infrastructure that delivers electricity to homes and businesses.
There are six major electricity suppliers in the UK: British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON UK, Npower, ScottishPower, and SSE. There are also several smaller suppliers.
Electricity distributors include UK Power Networks (which covers London and the South East), Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (which covers Scotland and the South of England) and Western Power Distribution (which covers the Midlands, Wales and the South West).
With so many factors affecting the cost of business energy, it would be best to take advantage of professional advice from business energy consultants.
They can guide how to get the most from your business energy supplier and provide an in-depth breakdown to save your business money.
Have a look at 9 Simple Tips for Improving Workflow Efficiency, Best Victorian Era Shows of All Time, Logistics Customer Portal Development from Scratch & How to Stay Connected on Long Business Trips.


Gerd Dijkstra is a local entrepreneur, who runs Cafeteria Goudenregen, kite shop Vliegerzone, teaches Filipino and Indonesian martial arts delivers mail and practices sustainable lifestyle. His house is completely powered by green energy, and this part, he explained to me how sustainable living benefits his family and the community.
By: Eimantas Zemaitis
Gerd’s interest in sustainable energy stems from his youth and he started practising it out of necessity. Now he advocates sustainable lifestyle because he wants to empower people to be independent of non-renewable energy sources. “When we first bought our current house in Leeuwarden, we used to get a massive energy bill. It was a big building, so we had to pay about 480 euros every month. The energy situation inside the house was terrible – it was the coldest house I’ve ever lived in. Therefore, I did some isolation and energy projects, and now we have our own self-sustainable house. We barely use any external energy anymore, and we flush only with rainwater. This has something to do with the money, but the general idea is also to be independent of unsustainable energy sources – gas, oil and fossil fuels. The same is with our boat, where we use only collected energy and water, so being independent is bigger than just money.”
Switching to green energy is self-sustainable
Gerd also told me that people often lag in switching to the green energy because it seems too expensive, but they fail to see the long-term benefits. “For us, it all started with investment into three panels, then I got six, then nine, twelve, twenty and so on (laughs). Collecting green energy is addicting. But the most interesting part is that all the upgrades come from the saved money. For example, the first solar panels saved me around 900 euros. From those 900 euros, I did new energy things. Following year it helped me to save 1200 euros. I’ve reinvested them and bought more solar panels. Essentially, I invest the money it saves me back into the system, so I keep on upgrading. That’s the smart way to handle it. Now it came to the point that I sell and help to install solar panels. When you take money from non-sustainable sources to install renewable energy, then the system starts to sustain itself. And that’s how it should be done.”
Recycling and reusing also saves energy
Energy is just one way to look at sustainability. Dijkstra family also reuse, give away or sell items for reuse. “In our cafeteria, we sort all kind of things for recycling: cans of coke, the oil from the snack bar and paper; later on we bring it to the recycling points and get paid for it. Also, all the food leftovers go to the compost which I use to amend soil for my plants. Amongst my plants, I grow sunflower seeds and peppers, which then I dry and feed to my parrots. It’s not a lot of course, but everything little contributes. Instead of throwing away, we give away food buckets from the snack bar, so people use them again. By recycling and reusing, we also produce less garbage. Before, the garbage truck had to clean our containers every week, but now it only comes every two weeks. As a result, the garbage truck now has to drive less, and we reduced our bill from 200 to 60 euros. So essentially, it works on two sides: financial and public interest. People forget, that it also takes fuel and energy to, for example, make a bucket, so they must be aware that the general idea of reusing and recycling is bigger.”


Eight days after the collision of two large transport ships off Gibraltar, the authorities have given the all-clear for the environment.
Pumping out the heavy oil was the salvage crews' biggest concern. According to official information, only a little oil had recently flowed into the sea. The water in the Bay of Gibraltar is now largely clean again, with the exception of the part within the second oil barrier. Therefore, the complete resumption of regular port operations and fishing is being considered.
The 178 meter long bulk carrier "OS 35", loaded with steel, collided with a liquid gas tanker on its way to the Dutch port of Vlissingen late Monday evening for reasons that are still unclear and then ran aground in shallow water off a beach on the east side of Gibraltar due to water ingress been. Some beaches in Gibraltar and in neighboring Spain had been polluted by the spilled fuel, and shimmering streaks of oil could be seen on the sea.