October 9, 2014
Ocean Roundup: Seaweed Transporting Disease to Sea Otters, Lego to Break Ties with Shell, and More
– Scientists have recently discovered that some mangroves are offering coral reef shelter and protection from climate change. In Hurricane Hole, a mangrove habitat in the U.S. Virgin Islands, scientists found 30 species of coral growing underwater. Science Daily
– New research shows that large, sticky polymers produced by seaweed may be transporting diseases to sea otters. These particles get passed through the food chain, as sea otters feed on marine snails feeding on kelp. Science World Report
– A new report warns that East Coast cities can expect to see three times the number of tidal floods in the next 15 years than they do now. The report comes as “king tides” are expected to peak on Thursday, with high tides expected to inundate many coastal areas. Aljazeera America
– After mounting pressure from Greenpeace and environmentalists, toy company Lego announced it will not renew its partnership with Shell. Greenpeace officials said they hope the move will prompt other groups with an influence on younger audiences to move away from groups that support crude oil. The Guardian
– A new report presented at the UN Convention of Biological Diversity highlighted that ocean acidification has risen by 26 percent since the pre-industrial era. Scientists warn that this is a huge threat to the global food supply. Discovery News