By David Mercer | Associated Press May 17, 2016 The flow of nitrates from farm fertilizer and treated wastewater into the Illinois River that contributes to a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico has fallen, a new study says. Researchers believe one likely factor, the use of newer, more robust varieties of corn, could [...]
By Chris Mooney | Washington Post April 28, 2016 Rolling waves driven by cyclone Christian appear in the Elbe estuary near the North Sea close to Brunsbuettel, northern Germany, 28 October 2013. EPA/CHRISTIAN CHARISIUS In the long list of troubling climate change scenarios, there’s one that gets relatively little attention, but definitely has [...]
By Jeff Nesbit | US News April 27, 2016 An alarming new study suggests global warming could leave marine life struggling to exist. By the 2030s, declining oxygen levels will likely be evident in many of the world's oceans. (NOAA VIA NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION) What happens if marine life in the oceans can't [...]
By John Upton | Climate Central May 2, 2016 Just west of Los Angeles, decimated populations of spiny rockfish rummage for prey among bush-like corals. Cold currents from deep valleys wash nutrients between the Channel Islands, fertilizing plants that are eaten by fish. The fish are eaten by dolphins and pelicans and served with fries [...]
By Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy March 1, 2016 Water News and More from the Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy SCOTUS Backs Bay Clean Up Plan The Chesapeake Bay is a mighty fine bay but not one without trouble. With so many people living, farming and doing business around [...]
Coast Guard closes Mississippi River at St. Louis By Jacob Barker - St. Louis Post-DispatchDecember 29, 2015 Overlooking the South Harbor construction site at America's Central Port in Granite City, Ill., located on the Mississippi River south of Locks No. 27, a barge and tug and train cross paths Monday, October 24, 2011. Photo by [...]
Threat from oxygen loss in oceans left off table in Paris talks By Renee Lewis for aljazeera.comDecember 11, 2015 Many know about acidification and rising sea levels from climate change; few realize the threat from oceans' oxygen loss While some effects of climate change on the oceans—including acidification and rising sea levels — are well known, its effects on oxygen levels in [...]
The upside-down world of the Gulf's dead zone By Robynne Boyd for mnn.comDecember 10, 2015 Farming runoff turns the sea floor into a wet desert and forces species onward or upward. Stirred up ocean sediment in the Gulf of Mexico. Adding the range of colors in the picture are nutrients like iron from soil and [...]
EPA and Partners Launch the Nutrient Recycling Challenge By Nancy RabalaisNovember 17, 2015 EPA has partnered with pork and dairy producers, USDA, and environmental and scientific experts to launch the Nutrient Recycling Challenge—a competition to develop affordable technologies that recycle nutrients from livestock manure. This is an opportunity to encourage those in your states and agencies [...]
News Release: USDA invests $30 million to improve water quality in Mississippi River Basin By Press Release - see contact information in article belowNovember 6, 2015 73 projects will help farmers, ranchers target conservation in high-priority watersheds Contact: Sarah Haymaker 202-205-9064 WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA’s Natural Resources [...]