Yellowstone - A Ticking Time-Bomb?Written by C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot
For those of us who were fortunate enough to catch Discovery Channel's latest spine-gripping, docudrama, SuperVolcano this past weekend, we were made aware of chance that Yellowstone National Park's Super Volcano could be a literal, explosive and catastrophic time bomb. Though many common, external traits of volcanos are viewed as Mountainous peaks and regions like that of Mount St. Helens Yellowstone's 'supervolcano' is unique. It is one of world's largest active volcanic systems. In last few million years, it has spawned several, massive volcanic eruptions; and relatively, it is likely to occur again. Because of its possible danger, US Geological Survey, University of Utah and Yellowstone National Park combined forces to create Yellowstone Volcano Observatory This observatory keeps a vigilant watch of regional activity. Mesmerizing Yellowstone's effervescent hot springs and magical geysers woo visitors by millions every year. Unwittingly, most of these spectators have no clue as to how these natural wonders come to surface. Merely miles beneath them, brews a huge reservoir of an estimated 1,475-degree Fahrenheit, magma that fuels heat to produce these wondrous spectacles. Meanwhile, its breathtaking scenery and natural wildlife illudes patrons of its below-ground, boiling carnage. Destructive If and when Yellowstone blows, it could possibly emit massive volumes of magma that would evolve into a Pyroclastic Flow. This flow would catapult in multiple directions, causing ground to collapse, and create large volcanic calderas
| | Why Phase-Out Organotin Paint?Written by Margot B
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a legally binding Convention banning application of organotin anti-fouling paints on ships' hulls by 2003 and its presence by 2008. This requires not less than 25 States, combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 25% of gross tonnage of world's merchant shipping, it's not likely that Convention will enter into force by 2002. So WWF is seeking commitments from industry and government to show active support for IMO Convention. This will be achieved through eliminating use of organotin paints, with action taken to bring about such elimination of use organotins before 2003, date proposed by IMO. The main qualification for membership in 2003 Group (organotin-free group) will be that industry player concerned is fully organotin-free by January 1st 2003. Membership will not be granted to shipping companies unless their entire fleet is organotin free by 2003. Organotin compounds, such as TBT, are considered to be amongst most toxic chemicals ever released into marine environment. Even at very low concentrations, they have been shown to produce serious negative impacts upon marine life. These cause disruption of hormone systems in marine invertebrates, such as dogwhelks, causing fremales to acquire sexual characteristics of males. Studies show that organotins are present in marine species at all levels of ecosystem: fish, birds and mammals. Possible human endocrine disrupting properties of organotins have been seen. Anti-fouling paints on ships' hulls is a major source of organotins. Organotin paint has been partially banned for use on smaller vessels. This has been shown to reduce levels of organotin, but their continued use on larger ships, and fact that compounds can persist in sediments for a lengthy time period, means that marine environment is still saturated with these chemicals at unacceptably high levels.
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