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Have you ever wondered what causes the different-colored tints in the ocean or freshwater lakes? This colored water – whether red, brown, green or yellow – is commonly known as a “red tide” or a harmful algal bloom. Blooms are formed by single-celled photosynthetic organisms that can sometimes be harmful to humans, wildlife and the [...]

Earth Gauge Video is available for this tip. Are you going fishing this season? Many people head to local lakes and streams during nice weather.  A new, four-year, multi-agency study shows a nearly 50 percent chance that the fish you catch will contain mercury. Some levels are so high that pregnant women and children should [...]

Rain gardens can cut down on the amount of pollution reaching creeks and streams by up to 30 percent. A rain garden is a planted depression that allows rainwater runoff from artificial urban areas like roofs, driveways, walkways and lawn areas to be absorbed. This reduces runoff by allowing storm water to soak into the [...]

A new study from the U.S. Geological Survey shows that scientists found mercury contamination in every fish sampled in 291 streams around the country.  One-quarter of fish sampled exceeded mercury levels set to protect humans who eat average amounts of fish; two-thirds exceeded mercury levels of concern set by U.S. EPA for fish-eating mammals. The [...]

A new study from the U.S. Geological Survey shows that scientists found mercury contamination in every fish sampled in 291 streams around the country.  One-quarter of fish sampled exceeded mercury levels set to protect humans who eat average amounts of fish; two-thirds exceeded mercury levels of concern set by U.S. EPA for fish-eating mammals. The [...]

A new study from the U.S. Geological Survey shows that scientists found mercury contamination in every fish sampled in 291 streams around the country.  One-quarter of fish sampled exceeded mercury levels set to protect humans who eat average amounts of fish; two-thirds exceeded mercury levels of concern set by U.S. EPA for fish-eating mammals. The [...]

During the summer, many people pick up their fishing poles and head to the water to enjoy the Great Lakes fishery, which has been one of the largest freshwater fisheries in the world for over 100 years.  The greatest Great Lakes commercial fishing harvests were recorded in 1889 and 1899, with about 147 million pounds [...]

When concentrations of mercury (Hg) were tested in ten different species of pelagic (oil-rich) fish in the Gulf of Mexico, three species had higher concentrations than the FDA criterion of 1.0 parts per million (ppm) wet weight. These fish were the blue marlin at 10.52 ppm, carcharhinid sharks at 1.61 ppm, and little tunny at [...]

With increasing concerns about contaminants in the Gulf of Mexico’s seafood, researchers at Mississippi State University are looking for better ways to predict where these contaminants are likely to build up. Mercury (a metal) and DDT (an insecticide formerly used in the U.S. to kill mosquitoes) are persistent pollutants — lingering for many years without [...]

Did you know that each year more fish are produced for human consumption from Lake Erie than all of the other Great Lakes combined?  Sometimes, chemicals and other contaminants can make their way into lakes directly, or they can be carried into the water when it rains.  While these contaminants may be present in the [...]

Did you know that each year more fish are produced for human consumption from Lake Erie than all of the other Great Lakes combined?  Sometimes, chemicals and other contaminants can make their way into lakes directly, or they can be carried into the water when it rains.  While these contaminants may be present in the [...]