Traced

In 20% of all public and private wells, that are untreated in our nation, have found contaminates

Summary: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2914&from=rss_home

Throughout the nation, water is used everyday as not just a necessity, but also out of leisure. People use more than a normal 20 liters a-day whether its because they want a nice long shower or they need more to drink than the average human. Only problem? About 20% of all public and private wells throughout our nation (that have not been treated) have traces of manganese, arsenic and uranium. "In public wells these contaminants are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and contaminants are removed from the water before people drink it," said Joe Ayotte, USGS hydrologist and lead author on the study. "However, trace elements could be present in water from private wells at levels that are considered to pose a risk to human health, because they aren’t subject to regulations. In many cases people might not even know that they have an issue." Other contaminates include nitrate, pesticides and VOCs. Most of these are from the water's over exposure to mining, natural rock weathering and waste disposal. Radon (from natural uranium) is also traced in ground water.

Shocking Facts:

1. Arsenic was found in about 7% of all wells that is above human health standards
2. Uranium was found in 4% of all wells and is above the human health standards
3. Manganese was found in 12% of all wells and is also above human health standards
4. Arsenic can cause multiple types of cancers
5. Uranium can cause kidney disease or death
6. "In doses similar to some of those found in this study, manganese can adversely affect child intellectual function and, in large doses, acts as a neurotoxin, causing symptoms similar to those experienced by sufferers of Parkinson’s disease. Radon, a product of the decay of natural uranium, also exceeded its proposed EPA maximum contaminant level in 65% of wells tested (300 Picocuries per liter)."

 My Opinion:
I never knew that the private wells would never be treated. After seeing the tapped video and the water project by Jay-Z, you would think people would realize: "Hey, maybe my water isn't what I think it is..." or "Hmm, my water tastes funny. Is there a problem?" Instead they may ignore it or just adapt to it, which in some cases, is a dangerous risk they bring on themselves. All in all, I have to say that for the EPA to do their job, they HAVE to regulate ALL water equally, and not just some of the water with some differences.

Questions:

1. How much, is too much of each contaminate? (Manganese, Arsenic and Uranium)
2. What are some of the EPA's regulations on water?
3. If water companies (ex. Nestle) take water from springs and wells that have not been treated and they don't plan to treat it, is there a possibility that the water has any of those contaminates?
4. What are some other major contaminates that are found in water?
5. As an opinion, do you think all water should have some sort of regulation?

Got Seaweed?

Scientists believe that global warming is affecting the movement of many of Australian's seaweed species. Possibly affecting some species so much that they become extinct.

http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/ocean-warming-sends-australian-seaweed-south-and-possibly-into-extinction.html

Summary
Studies from the Univeristy of Western Australia are showing baffling data concerning species of seaweed that are native to Australian water. Global warming is affecting the water temperature therefore changing many species' living conditions and usual habitat habits. These studies show seaweed communities moving southward, possibly reaching the continential shelf and facing almost certain extinction. Another possibility of seaweed moving locations is that the animals that depend on seaweed for food and shelter could become threatened or extinct. Seaweed is a huge part in the ocean ecosystem, without it almost all species would die off.
Reaction
I never knew that seaweed could migrate or depended on the temperature of water for survival. Seaweed is such an important part in ocean ecosystems, so many different species depend on them for shelter and food. This is really surprising to me to learn that it is a very good possibility for species of seaweed to become extinct if we don't change our ways fast.

1.) What are some species of seaweed found in Australia?
2.) What kinds of animal species depend on seaweed for survival?
3.) How many different species of seaweed are there?
4.) Do you think that seaweed extinction will affect oceans deeply? Why?