ASK/CHICAGO’s AQUATIC RECO:
It’s more than WATER, it’s Life: Join Changing Seas on Twitter at:
@CHANGINGSEAS
Narrated by Peter
Thomas, the well-known voice talent of Nova
& Forensic Files as well, it is common (yet there’s nothing uncommon about this
Topic) that:
Oceans + Science +
Florida = Changing Seas.
produced by WPBT2
in Miami, Florida, this Public TV Series is online at: http://www.changingseas.tv/
A terrific learning tool, ChangingSeas could most definitely be used as Course
Curriculum for grade and high school students eager to learn about Marina Life
and all it entails.
While you are here, let’s learn more about the Series from Changing
Seas’ website, primarily the Opening Paragraphs # 2-4:
“Regardless, the
oceans have long played an important role in people’s lives. Currently, more
than half of all Americans live within 50 miles of the coast, and that number
is rising. It is estimated that by 2025 more than 75 percent of Americans will
live along the country’s shorelines. Coastal and marine waters support 28
million jobs and draw 189 million tourists a year.
While the population’s dependence on the oceans as a natural resource and a source for recreation continues to increase, the health of these large bodies of water is rapidly declining. Over-fishing, global climate change, pollution: these are only a few of the threats that the oceans are facing today. At the same time, the seas hold great promise for ongoing medical research, as an untapped source of alternate energy, and other benefits that scientists are just now beginning to discover.”
While the population’s dependence on the oceans as a natural resource and a source for recreation continues to increase, the health of these large bodies of water is rapidly declining. Over-fishing, global climate change, pollution: these are only a few of the threats that the oceans are facing today. At the same time, the seas hold great promise for ongoing medical research, as an untapped source of alternate energy, and other benefits that scientists are just now beginning to discover.”
Mighty interesting
and of interest both to those nautical amongst us; those who are eco-conscious,
nature lovers and as the closing Paragraph explains:
“Changing Seas goes to sea with explorers and scientists as
they uncover new information that could lead to scientific breakthroughs. This
documentary series lets viewers experience first-hand how oceanographers and
other experts study earth’s last frontier, and it sheds light on how human
activities are threatening ocean resources.”
Meet the entire
Crew at: http://www.changingseas.tv/meet_the_crew.html
As I see it: “It’s THE SEASon of CHANGING SEAS. “
Submerge. Discover.
Engage.
Posted by: ASK:
Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
Screenwriter – Author – Eventologist – Promoter
SKiN: Sacred Kinship in Nature ™
How 10 Beloved Plush Toys Redefine Race ©2009
Chicago – IL USA
June 18, 2013 – 1:35 PM CST
INSERT #2: Friday, July 19, 2013
A few days earlier, I asked CHANGINGSEAS about what happens to fecal material in the waters - preferably oceans although this query could apply to streams, rivers and lakes. Little did Iknow that I would get such an interesting and in-depth Answer from them which I am going to include below as it is SO mighty interesting and we can learn from it and even have more questions still:
That Answer is:
If you specifically want to know if the waste of marine animals makes the ocean smell, we might defer to the dictum "dilution is the solution to pollution." In some cases, the flushing of water throughout ocean systems may dilute animal wastes. That said, certain bodies of water that lack a great deal of flushing could experience greater concentrations of animal wastes (like in the case of large, poorly managed aquaculture concentrations in small bodies of water), and therefore may have a "smell", particularly from the decay and bacteria off-gassing. Yet marine animal wastes may also be consumed by other sea creatures, fall to the ocean floor, or become part of "marine snow", and therefore may not be around long enough to leave a lingering odor. Does fish waste smell when it is in the water? According to Dr. Danielle McDonald at UM RSMAS, yes, fish waste has a smell, but ocean flushing generally dilutes the smell.
If you're curious about the "ocean-y" smell you may detect when at the ocean, that comes from gas generated by ocean bacteria. The gas is actually dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, and is found in areas plankton and ocean plants die. DMS gas gives the marine air that "sort of a fishy, tangy smell." - Find out more about ocean smell at: http://www.livescience.com/4313-key-smell-sea.html#sthash.pAPyCTnh.dpuf.
Furthermore, you asked about divers being able to smell a "stench". Divers do wear masks that cover their noses while underwater. But at the surface, pollutants or marine phenomena can create a smell (oil/gas, decaying seaweed or fish, etc.) Whether it is marine animal waste that causes the smell, is dependent on the situation. Certainly the waste from a manatee or sea lion, if in close proximity to a snorkeler or a surfacing diver, may have a smell. But again, ocean flows being what they are, and due to the potential supply of nutrients contained in that fecal matter, the waste may not last long due to ocean flushing, fish grazing, or sinking of the waste to the bottom (see this link for more about ocean floor substrates: http://io9.com/5874762/the-ocean-floor-is-like-a-rainforest-where-feces-and-dead-animals-rain-from-the-sky.
If you want to know if marine animals can smell underwater, we'll refer you to this site which discusses sharks and their amazing "olfactory" sense. http://science.howstuffworks.com/zoology/marine-life/shark-senses1.htm.
Hope this answered your questions!
* * *
INSERT #2: Friday, July 19, 2013
A few days earlier, I asked CHANGINGSEAS about what happens to fecal material in the waters - preferably oceans although this query could apply to streams, rivers and lakes. Little did Iknow that I would get such an interesting and in-depth Answer from them which I am going to include below as it is SO mighty interesting and we can learn from it and even have more questions still:
That Answer is:
Interesting, if not complex question Adrienne! Our friends at the
University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science helped
with this answer:
If you specifically want to know if the waste of marine animals makes the ocean smell, we might defer to the dictum "dilution is the solution to pollution." In some cases, the flushing of water throughout ocean systems may dilute animal wastes. That said, certain bodies of water that lack a great deal of flushing could experience greater concentrations of animal wastes (like in the case of large, poorly managed aquaculture concentrations in small bodies of water), and therefore may have a "smell", particularly from the decay and bacteria off-gassing. Yet marine animal wastes may also be consumed by other sea creatures, fall to the ocean floor, or become part of "marine snow", and therefore may not be around long enough to leave a lingering odor. Does fish waste smell when it is in the water? According to Dr. Danielle McDonald at UM RSMAS, yes, fish waste has a smell, but ocean flushing generally dilutes the smell.
If you're curious about the "ocean-y" smell you may detect when at the ocean, that comes from gas generated by ocean bacteria. The gas is actually dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, and is found in areas plankton and ocean plants die. DMS gas gives the marine air that "sort of a fishy, tangy smell." - Find out more about ocean smell at: http://www.livescience.com/4313-key-smell-sea.html#sthash.pAPyCTnh.dpuf.
Furthermore, you asked about divers being able to smell a "stench". Divers do wear masks that cover their noses while underwater. But at the surface, pollutants or marine phenomena can create a smell (oil/gas, decaying seaweed or fish, etc.) Whether it is marine animal waste that causes the smell, is dependent on the situation. Certainly the waste from a manatee or sea lion, if in close proximity to a snorkeler or a surfacing diver, may have a smell. But again, ocean flows being what they are, and due to the potential supply of nutrients contained in that fecal matter, the waste may not last long due to ocean flushing, fish grazing, or sinking of the waste to the bottom (see this link for more about ocean floor substrates: http://io9.com/5874762/the-ocean-floor-is-like-a-rainforest-where-feces-and-dead-animals-rain-from-the-sky.
If you want to know if marine animals can smell underwater, we'll refer you to this site which discusses sharks and their amazing "olfactory" sense. http://science.howstuffworks.com/zoology/marine-life/shark-senses1.htm.
Hope this answered your questions!
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