Alaska Sea Blob Mystery Solved

News Type: Event — Seeded on Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:33 PM EDT

Article Source: AOL

odd-news, alaska, north-slope, blob, goo, ooze, chukchi-sea, algae-bloom, oil-slick, black-slicks

Scientists have gotten the results back from their analysis of the floating goo slicks that have puzzled, frightened, amused and generally caught the attention of many around the world this week. An unprecedented bloom of an unpleasant variety of algae caused the disturbing ooze to cover miles of the Chukchi Sea near the oil-producing North Slope area.

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Andrew Spagnoli's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Climate Change
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2.7

1.5

{"commentId":8270382,"authorDomain":"andrewspagnoli"}

Andrew Spagnoli

When the polar seas start going haywire like this it is a very ominous sign. Hopefully it will be an isolated event, rather than the start of something ongoing or recurring, and hopefully it will be found not to have lasting negative effects on the ecosystem locally and globally.

{"commentId":8270382,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"andrewspagnoli"}

3 votes

#1 - Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":8273895,"authorDomain":"eric-albert"}

Eric Albert

It is not an isolated event, it is a warning regarding the pollution of the world, and global warming itself.

{"commentId":8273895,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"eric-albert"}

2 votes

#1.1 - Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:35 PM EDT

{"commentId":8281409,"authorDomain":"laobserver"}

LAObserver

We are all Steak! -- Lemur King

{"commentId":8281409,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"laobserver"}

#1.2 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:02 PM EDT

{"commentId":8270956,"authorDomain":"dougdemilo"}

D DeMilo

hi Andrew. actually, this "brown bloom" started turning up in some Iowa lakes this year causing de-oxygenation of the water and resulting in fish kills

Doug

{"commentId":8270956,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"dougdemilo"}

1 vote

#2 - Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:11 PM EDT

{"commentId":8281443,"authorDomain":"laobserver"}

LAObserver

is it flamable? is it a miracle source of energy?

if it is unpleasant....it must be a fuel.

{"commentId":8281443,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"laobserver"}

#2.1 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":8270991,"authorDomain":"nyghtshayde"}

nyghtshayde

Are there any reports as to how it's affecting sealife at this point?I hope this is not the beginning of things much worse.There is no telling what will be uncovered as the ice melts away and the temps rise.Only time will tell.We still have alot to learn.

{"commentId":8270991,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"nyghtshayde"}

2 votes

#3 - Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":8300521,"authorDomain":"slowrivermic"}

Mic Hudson

My TiVo and Blackberry still function fine so it's not affecting satellite communitions yet!

~ : ) ~

(Note: "tongue in cheek" response.)

{"commentId":8300521,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"slowrivermic"}

1 vote

#3.1 - Mon Jul 20, 2009 6:34 AM EDT

{"commentId":8271117,"authorDomain":"dougdemilo"}

D DeMilo

as far as fresh water marine life (may apply somewhat) information is available through the Iowa DNR website. part of the reason(s) in area lakes is a cooler season than normal with lower UV levels. if this is in fact the case, lower UV levels can be expected as a coincidental with the causes of global warming

{"commentId":8271117,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"dougdemilo"}

#4 - Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:22 PM EDT

{"commentId":8271735,"authorDomain":"sherwood-1"}

atsidiwashichu

Another canary in the coal mine?

{"commentId":8271735,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"sherwood-1"}

1 vote

#5 - Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:07 PM EDT

{"commentId":8271795,"authorDomain":"dougdemilo"}

D DeMilo

nah - the canary has a gas mask (showing better sense than the rest of us)

{"commentId":8271795,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"dougdemilo"}

2 votes

#6 - Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:10 PM EDT

{"commentId":8272019,"authorDomain":"jsbach"}

jsbach

Thank you Andrew for letting us know what the goo is and although they state it is mainly algea, what's the other part?

I realize this sounds really dumb, but is it a new type of algea?

{"commentId":8272019,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"jsbach"}

1 vote

#7 - Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:25 PM EDT

{"commentId":8279912,"authorDomain":"andrewspagnoli"}

Andrew Spagnoli

I am anxious to hear more as the story gets beyond the initial rush and we get more in-depth analysis from scientists on both the specifics of this particular occurrence, and on the implications to the big picture. This seed is very superficial in the information it gives, but I am sure we will have some better info soon as well as some better sense of where this event fits in the scheme of things like dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico or a bloom in a lake in Iowa. And no it is not a dumb question at all, really.

{"commentId":8279912,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"andrewspagnoli"}

1 vote

#7.1 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 11:57 AM EDT

{"commentId":8280254,"authorDomain":"jsbach"}

jsbach

I watched the most fascinating program on TLC called Pacific Blue. Nine hours of learning about the islands, the ocean itself and the life it sustains.

Now, I have read much about the Pacific and have watched shows showing the various habitat. But, I never knew that they're were penguins who live in a forest. It absolutely blew me away to see these penguins hopping as they do on leaves, twigs, in and around the trees, it was mind-boggling to me.

The amount of new species discovered is amazing. The program covered islands I've never even heard of and some I have, but a part of the documentary covered a particular type of kelp that is destroying coral in parts in and around islands. Thank goodness there are people who are bring back that coral and it's fantastic the way they do this.

Whales, types of fish, animals, the islands themselves, too many people visiting, yet in one case, the people were a good thing. Rather than the islanders killing a particular type of fish or shark, a group of people are making money from those who wish to dive into protected waters. So, this group gives the people of the island the money for not killing the sharks for their fins or other fish. The islanders love it. Yes, they still do fish in other areas of the water, just not in the protected waters. So, it's a win-win all the way around.

Overfishing is a reality and according to some experts, all those that live in the pacific ocean will be gone in 40 years. Another thing, the coral in the oceans are dying because of a type of kelp that has been introduced to the waters by people. You only really see this kelp in fish tanks.

{"commentId":8280254,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"jsbach"}

#7.2 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:31 PM EDT

{"commentId":8281464,"authorDomain":"laobserver"}

LAObserver

wow all these environmentalist attitude reports here.

drive a car much?

{"commentId":8281464,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"laobserver"}

1 vote

#8 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:06 PM EDT

{"commentId":8281886,"authorDomain":"jsbach"}

jsbach

Yeah, you're right, LAO. I got carried away.

So sorry.

I still can't get over the penguins, though.

{"commentId":8281886,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"jsbach"}

#8.1 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:36 PM EDT

{"commentId":8309204,"authorDomain":"andrewspagnoli"}

Andrew Spagnoli

no car for me anymore - scooter. If I need to take a long trip or use a big vehicle like a guzzling SUV, I can easily rent one. Scooter riding is fun too - no more road rage for me. (plus no insurance required, no fees, 100 mpg)

{"commentId":8309204,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"andrewspagnoli"}

1 vote

#8.2 - Mon Jul 20, 2009 4:07 PM EDT

{"commentId":8291787,"authorDomain":"borchef"}

robert-1221331

It's like Hollywood. The government has solved the mystery go to bed and sleep well.

But there's something more heppening here.

On 15 juli 2009 there was a 5.1 earthquake near Oregon. In Oregon, Washington and Nevada there where sitings of strange light emmiting clouds for the next few days. The Earthquake took place near the Oregon Ridge a underwater ridge filled with methane hydrate. The methane Hydrate is produced by two bacteria like animals that are abundant in these fields. Now the water from the coast near Oregon is flowing in to the Chukchi Sea where the Blob was found. Draw the lines for yourself.

Climate change is speeding up....

{"commentId":8291787,"threadId":"629146","contentId":"3035301","authorDomain":"borchef"}

#9 - Sun Jul 19, 2009 12:43 PM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"629146","isPrivate":false}

ANDREW SPAGNOLI

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Alaska Sea Blob Mystery Solved

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