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Scooped by
PIRatE Lab
onto Coastal Restoration April 4, 2013 9:26 PM
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Residual contamination from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill is still killing dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life in record numbers. ->
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The groups say the EPA violated the Clean Water Act by removing seven Iowa rivers from the “impaired waters” list.
Devan Page's insight:
Food & Water Watch, Iowa Environmental Council and the Environmental Law & Policy Center list their complaints to the EPA, saying, “Every year, manure and synthetic fertilizers from Iowa’s massive industrial agriculture sector wash into surface water and groundwater, contaminating drinking water sources with dangerous concentrations of nitrate and nitrite pollution. A growing body of scientific research links nitrate pollution to a variety of adverse health conditions, including thyroid disorders and colorectal cancer.”
yaiza.delgado165@myci.csuci.edu's comment,
May 15, 6:45 PM
If independent chemical risk assessments are weakened, the public deserves to know what standards will replace them and if the levels they implement will actually be safe enough.
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Former EPA Officials Warn EPA Directive Will Leave Communities Less Protected from Toxic Chemicals –
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 8, 2026 CONTACT: Aaron Bharucha, Public Relations Associate (509) 429-1699 and epn-press@environmentalprotectionnetwork.org Former EPA Officials Warn EPA Directive Will Leave Communities Less Protected from Toxic Chemicals… Read More
Ashlyn Olson's insight:
Former EPA officials warn new directives will affect how "PFA's in drinking water, lead in soil, arsenic in water formaldehyde in air, nitrates in groundwater, & other pollutants" are addressed & the communities that are already exposed.
Devan Page's comment,
May 14, 9:51 PM
Loosening the restrictions on toxins will pose as a threat to public health. It is good that this information is spreading so the public is aware and alternative solutions can form.
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From
earth
The proposed legislation advances an ecocentric legal framework aimed at strengthening the protection of whales inhabiting the Pacific Ocean.
Ryan Murgatroyd's comment,
May 13, 2:56 PM
This is super cool and a reflection of Indigenous communities' culture in New Zealand. It would be awesome to see this on a global scale but that will probably take a long time for a meaningful number of countries to adopt similar views.
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A colossal underwater volcano in the South Pacific may have revealed a surprising new weapon against climate change. After the 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai, scientists detected enormous amounts of formaldehyde in the atmosphere — a telltale sign that methane, one of the planet’s most powerful greenhouse gases, was being destroyed. Researchers now believe volcanic ash mixed with salty seawater and sunlight created reactive chlorine particles that effectively “cleaned up” some of the methane released by the eruption itself.
Kalani Wagoner's comment,
May 12, 7:37 PM
Yet another way Mother Nature tries to keep the balance! This was a really interesting read...chemistry in the wild.
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From
www
More than a dozen images capture Filipino fishermen at sea, threatened species including sharks and wedgefish, and hundreds of commercial fishing vessels docked in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta.
Christopher Blackwell's insight:
This goes into detail about how fishing isn't just an environmental issue but also an economic issue for fisherman that rely on small-scale fishing for income.
marisa denninger's comment,
May 11, 9:27 PM
I wish we could do fishing in a more sustainable way because fish are such an integral piece of human history. It also is really sad for fishermen in affected areas because they more often than not are fishing sustainably to provide for their families.
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From
www
Venezuela warns of 'serious' environmental impact from oil spill off Trinidad and Tobago
Sierra Williams's comment,
May 11, 2:02 PM
This situation shows how vulnerable shared ecosystems are when countries disagree on the scale and impact of environmental disasters. It also highlights the need for stronger international cooperation to prevent and respond to oil spills effectively.
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From
www
"Residents lost legal challenge over environmental concerns for power line construction, AWS says data center will minimize energy and water use, plans $4 billion Chile investment, Experts warn Chile must balance tech investment with environmental protection"
Devan Page's insight:
This issue shows the numerous factors at play with large development and investment decisions.
Cael Thor Hill's comment,
May 8, 10:37 PM
Chile from my understanding is quite environmentally conscious, I wonder if they have some sort of political bias (like what's happening here in the U.S under the admin.). Maybe they are going to war and simply need better tech (also like what's happening under our current admin. with AI boosting).
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From
www
While air and noise pollution are common concerns, little is known about PFAS contamination from the AI buildout
Ryan Murgatroyd's insight:
Data centers in Virginia are causing major disturbances and concerns to the public's health. Sierra Club also explores the use of PFAS chemicals in data centers and the dangers associated with this use.
Devan Page's comment,
May 8, 12:44 PM
It is interesting to learn another way that data centers are harmful by their use of PFAS chemicals. Regulations will be crucial for these growing facilities.
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From
apnews
The head of the Environmental Protection Agency is back on Capitol Hill defending the administration's plan to cut in half the EPA's budget.
Catalina Monroe's insight:
The drive to dismantle the EPA is so scary for this country and public health. It opens up a lot of unknowns for our future of science, protection, and public policy.
Irma Hinojos's comment,
May 8, 12:24 AM
I think its a red flag that the EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is asking for a reduced budget.
Ashlyn Olson's comment,
May 8, 6:31 PM
I personally, don't believe cutting the EPA's funding is the smartest decision at the moment because of the recent pandemic we experienced from COVID-19 and scares from other viruses such as the bird flu or hantavirus. We should be strengthening human health protections, as well as food and water safety in order to prevent a potential spread.
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From
www
Passengers aboard the ship are in good spirits but may have to quarantine for "eight weeks," a World Health Organization official told CBS News.
Kalani Wagoner's comment,
May 7, 1:30 AM
Some friends of mine are scheduled to leave on a cruise in a week and this scary news is making them triple think about if they should go or not. A lot can happen on these ships, I mean, there's morgues on all of them, it's like its own mini ecosystem.
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Scientists are using sunlight to turn plastic waste into clean fuels like hydrogen, offering a breakthrough solution to both pollution and energy challenges. While still in development, the approach could transform trash into a valuable resource for a low-carbon future.
Rogelio Navarro's comment,
May 5, 11:16 PM
Once fully developed and tested, I believe this would be a great innovation that would help lessen the impacts of plastic pollution throughout the world. I do wonder if the companies producing plastic would see this as a way of taking the environmental pressure from them with the excuse that the plastics are being turned into something beneficial.
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From
www
Fly fishers say the salmon population at the burn in Moray has been wiped out and could take years to recover.
Judyann Bibian's insight:
Knockando Burn, which drains into the River Spey in Scotland, has recently received a source of contamination. The contamination is thought to be a chemical, likely caustic soda. This comes a few weeks after white paint was spilled into the Burn of Carron, which also drains into the River Spey, killing many salmon. Salmon are a huge part of the local ecosystem, and with the recent incidents, those specific parts of the river are essentially inert. The salmon population is predicted to take at least 5 years to recover, which is also not great news for the local economy and food supply.
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From
earth
The 22 members of the National Science Foundation board were informed in an email that they had been "terminated, effective immediately."
Sierra Williams's insight:
The Trump administration fired all 22 members of the National Science Board, eliminating the independent body that oversees the National Science Foundation. This move was made without a clear public explanation and has raised concerns about political interference, as well as, the future of U.S. science policy and research funding.
Heather Farlow's comment,
May 5, 12:26 PM
I wish this was surprising but it's not. Everyday there is a new headline surrounding the government suppressing scientists and it is extremely scary. This erasure of science is concerning for all and especially students like us who are going to be graduating and going out into a world where work might be scarce due to the suppression of science.
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From
www
A study says that the world is seeing more rain overall, but it's also getting drier. The confounding findings reveal a big problem.
Ryan Murgatroyd's insight:
There is a new study that outlines how storms are becoming larger and containing more precipitation but are becoming more spread out with longer dry spells in between. Because soil can only absorb so much precipitation at once, these larger precipitation events all at once is not ideal for soil moisture and our water resources. This is concerning as more extreme weather events become more frequent like severe storms/severe droughts.
brayden.hosler576@myci.csuci.edu's comment,
May 15, 9:57 AM
I discussed how this has been affecting Owens Valley for a short time during my presentation on Owens Valley in Geo and Hydro. They had to release an artificial dam early in the season due to early warm temperatures and a lack of snow for the season.
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From
www
Iran has denied reports of an oil leak near Kharg Island after satellite imagery this week appeared to show a large slick near Kharg Island, the country's main oil export hub in the Gulf. The reports of suspected slicks come as US officials warned that oil spills in the region could trigger an environmental catastrophe amid the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian and US forces.
Catalina Monroe's comment,
May 16, 12:54 AM
It's very concerning the lack of urgency we see to a disaster like this. I also scooped a simular story and the ignorance in politics and the "brush off" of environmental emergencies is horrifying.
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From
www
California gas prices could spike as imported oil supply dries up, industry warns
Ashlyn Olson's comment,
May 13, 2:11 PM
I remember when I first started driving (2022) my tank would cost me around $40 & now it is running me $70 a week, I might buy a bike.
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Hamilton was fired as acting administrator last year after he opposed plans to abolish the agency at a House hearing
brayden.hosler576@myci.csuci.edu's insight:
So we're back where we started? Government stability is a real issue right now, especially with the potential of the Hanta Virus.
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From
www
Wildfires raging this week in southern Georgia and northern Florida were fueled by a combination of hot and windy conditions, severe drought and dried-out vegetation from past hurricanes all feeding the blazes
Sierra Williams's insight:
Extreme heat and drought are increasingly combining in the Southeast, creating conditions where storm debris dries out and fuels large wildfires. This compounding climate impact is becoming more common as warming temperatures intensify multiple overlapping risks.
Christopher Blackwell's comment,
May 11, 2:59 PM
Woah! This was wild. I never really thought about these two combining to make a larger fire risk, but when I think about it, I can see how that could occur. I wonder how this affects areas of high income vs low income?
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Supreme Court directs NGO to present mercury concerns from Bhopal gas tragedy waste to Madhya Pradesh High Court for review.
Chad Chambers's insight:
Massive amounts of waste were incinerated but no mercury was found in the residual ash leading to people claiming it leaked into the surrounding area.
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In the UK capital, Bomb Crater Pond is full of wildlife, while scientists studying land obliterated by recent Russian blasts 1,500 miles away have seen ‘how quickly nature begins to heal itself’
Catalina Monroe's comment,
May 8, 2:53 PM
I love looking into how wildlife and just the natural environment will restore itself in the absence of humans.
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From
www
It is diagnosed not by a single test but by a pattern of symptoms that cannot otherwise be explained.
Ashlyn Olson's insight:
The National Institutes of Health's 2025 study show that nearly 6 million U.S children suffer from long COVID; making long COVID more common than asthma. About 10-20% of children who suffered COVID, developed lingering symptoms. Thankfully, more research has showed that vaccination can reduce the risk of developing on-going symptoms. A biostatistician commented that it's hard to find a precise figure for share of children affected because many go under-diagnosed and the lack of research in among their age group.
Ryan Murgatroyd's comment,
May 6, 2:56 PM
This is super scary to read about. I had heard the term floating around but never read up on it this extensively.
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From
hoodline
USDA declared 13 Utah counties natural disaster areas, unlocking FSA emergency loans for producers amid extreme drought.
Rogelio Navarro's insight:
Thirteen counties in Utah have been labeled as disaster areas by the USDA due to dry winters that have left stock ponds low, hay fields without water, and low grazing options. This will allow for ranchers and farmers in these counties to be eligible to receive emergency loans.
Chad Chambers's comment,
May 9, 12:07 AM
Its sad to see farmers forced into debt because of bad rain and it makes you realize that its more than just a news story but their lively hood is on the line
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Finalisation of pact governing global response to disease outbreaks delayed as talks on how to share benefits stall
brayden.hosler576@myci.csuci.edu's insight:
This felt right to post after class today. (Already have a scoopit, but saw it anyway)
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From
www
Climate change may push deadly arenaviruses into new regions of South America, increasing outbreak risk for millions of people.
Cael Thor Hill's insight:
Climate change has caused shifting rodent populations. These shifting and changing populations are exposing Arenaviruses (family of viruses carried by rodents that spills over to humans) to new populations that formerly were not exposed to them. Southern America is primarily the area in focus to be in danger.
How could we stop this?
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Ukrainian forces have hammered one of Russia’s largest sites in Tuapse, causing oil spills and black rain.When cleanup volunteer Sergei Solovev arrived in the town of Tuapse, on Russia’s Black Sea coast, an unpleasant odour hung in the air and everything was coated in a layer of black grime.“I saw train carriages covered in residue from the black rain and animals. It’s all very toxic,” he told Al Jazeera. “And the smell was oily.”Black rain is an unnatural weather phenomenon, where water droplet
Judyann Bibian's comment,
May 5, 12:46 PM
Its terrible to see how this issue is progressing and basically escalating. I remember initially reading about it last week and seeing that this has been an ongoing issue. Its unfortunate how civilians and local ecosystems suffer from the direct impacts and consequences of war.
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While we do indeed appear to have an elevated number of dolphins impacted in the Gulf post spill, the exact cause is still somewhat equivocal. The real critters that suffered the most include midwater plankton and demersal critters in the midwater and deepwater where cameras rarely snap pictures.