Posted by: Kim De Wolff
You might have heard of bisphenol-A or “BPA.” It’s a chemical that grabbed media attention a few years back, with research connecting it to some pretty undesirable health problems like higher cancer rates, obesity, and low sperm counts. Lots of plastic bottles and containers now claim to be “BPA free,” but what you might not know is that BPA is only one member of a whole class of potentially harmful chemicals that are ‘estrogenic,’ that either mimic or interrupt the activity of hormones in bodies.
Also known as endocrine disruptors, these substances are common ingredients in plastics. During production, they are added to plastic bases to make them stronger, harder, more flexible, but the additives don’t always stay put during use. As the title of a recent article in Environmental Health Perspectives suggests, “Most Plastic Products Release Estrogenic Chemicals.”
In their study, the authors gathered 455 common plastic objects, like bags and bottles, filled them with saltwater or alcohol solutions and put them through their paces. The plastics were washed, microwaved and exposed to light in simulation of everyday stresses. Researchers then measured the chemicals released into the solutions. The results? Almost all of the objects tested positive for releasing chemicals that act like estrogen. Especially surprising was their finding that “BPA free” plastics often released even more of these compounds that other types of plastic.
While these chemicals are very small, we need to consider the bigger picture in terms of potential harm to human health and marine life. Switching one kind of plastic bottle for another isn’t the solution.
Date Posted: January 20, 2012 @ 10:38 pm Comments (0)
Posted by: Katie Transue
National Geographic has done an excellent job of describing the Algalita/5 Gyres/Pangea Explorations two-legged 2012 Expedition through the Western Pacific Gyre and predicted Japan tsunami debris field. Writer, Meghan Miner, not only sums up the logistics of the voyage, but has also helped express our respect for an area containing pieces of peoples lives. Check out the article here!
Our main goal will be studying the effects of plastic pollution and marine debris relative to:
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providing habitat for marine life and its ability to transport invasive species from on continent to another;
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rates of decomposition of debris;
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colonization of marine life on, and into, different materials;
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educating students through the Algalita Ship-2-Shore blog; and
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spatial distribution of debris along the entire voyage transect
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We will also endeavor to observe, record, and recover personal items that might have survived, then make every effort to return them to their rightful owners, or their families.
The knowledge we gain will be invaluable to scientists; government agencies and educators across the globe and there will likely be no opportunity for this type of study for centuries to come. If you are interested in becoming in a crew member or would like to view our sponsor options and benefits click here for more details.
-Katie
Date Posted: December 23, 2011 @ 6:46 pm Comments (0)
Posted by: Katie Transue
Have you ever noticed the need for another waste can or TWO around the holidays? Americans throw away 25% more waste from Thanksgiving Day to New Years than at any other time of the year. This holiday season, let’s look for ways to put a little more green into our holiday gifts and events!
Here are few great suggestions that can help you practice the sustainable tips you’ve leaned throughout the year:
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Give a gift to help them help the environment, like a reusable water bottle or bag
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Think about gifts that make a big impact without any packaging: tickets to concert, a subscription to a magazine, or even a membership to an organization or non-profit
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Buy crafts and handmade items made from recycled materials from places like Etsy
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Wrap your gifts in recycled newspapers, magazines, fabric, or handkerchiefs
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Reuse your gift bags and boxes
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If you’re hosting an event – feed your guests local, organic produce.
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Make decorations from foliage in your yard.
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Visit Earth911.com to find your nearest Christmas tree recycling center
For more tips check out these great articles from Mother Nature Network:
How to Create Less Waste this Holiday Season
5 Ways to Fight Retail Over-packaging
Happy Holidays!
Katie
Date Posted: December 16, 2011 @ 1:15 pm Comments (0)
Posted by: Katie Transue
Captain Moore is currently touring the United States with his new book, Plastic Ocean. More tour dates are being scheduled so stay tuned for updates!
Nov 8th, 2011 - Boston, MA - ”Greater Boston” TV Interview
Nov 9th, 2011 - Boston, MA - Boston College
Nov 10th, 2011 - Waterville, ME - Mid Maine Global Forum
Nov 13th, 2011 - Virginia Beach, VA - Virginia Aquarium
Nov 15th, 2011 - Willington, NV - University of North Carolina
Nov 16th, 2011 - Pawley’s Island, SC - Litchfield-by-the-Sea
Date Posted: November 8, 2011 @ 9:41 pm Comments (0)
Posted by: Katie Transue
Now, this data-collection device might look familiar to you…I’ll admit a little imagination is needed to see it but it was cleverly modeled after the largest species of rays, the Manta. The Manta trawl will skim the ocean surface behind our vessel for several miles. With it’s broad mouth, the trawl will capture particles as small as 1/3 of a millimeter in a fine mesh net. The opening, which is 90cm wide and 30cm tall, is called an aperture. At the end of the aperture a .333mm mesh net is attached which terminates in a small collection sock called the cod end.
The Manta trawl has two angled wings that keep it floating on the ocean surface, as well as a
hood that directs surface splash back into the trawl.
While trawling, we hit a couple small patches of kelp that ended up filling the mouth of the trawl. At this point, Charlie wanted to reel it in to make sure this obstruction wasn’t going to affect our sample.
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After getting the trawl back on board, the mesh net was washed into the cod end, which is then removed and strained. This sample will be labeled and stored with a corresponding data sheet which includes the start and stop time and location of the trawl, start and stop numbers on the flow meter (the flow meter measures the distance trawled), time of day, and any other miscellaneous notable information about the trawl.
Stay tuned to see our sample contents! -Katie
Date Posted: August 1, 2011 @ 10:34 pm Comments (0)
Posted by: Katie Transue
After picking up a small group of eager passengers from the CRRA conference, we made our way out of the San Diego Bay into the open waters off the Southern CA coast. Today, we will be demonstrating a number of different sampling techniques that will provide insight into how Algalita collects and quantifies data. Many of our guests aboard have deep roots in recycling and waste management. This valuable opportunity to gain “hands on” experience with Charlie is a rare piece of the plastic pollution puzzle. Today will help them, and you, understand what it takes to find, extract, and quantify harmful debris from our afflicted ocean waters.
About a hour West into our voyage, a few of our guests started to point and shout off the starboard side of the Alguita. Was it dolphins? It couldn’t be a blue whale….could it? I instantly stopped what I was doing and headed towards the action. I gazed out to see what I thought was going to be a magical pod of dolphins but instead……BALLOONS!??! What?! All the way out here? My disappointment soon turned into anxiety as I witnessed a beautiful California pelican eyeing the debris. Facundo, Charlies first mate, quickly grabbed a net and fished the choking hazard from the sea. Our passengers were shocked to see balloons, still inflated, leisurely floating atop a small piece of kelp. Charlie, on the other hand, wasn’t surprised at all. In fact, this discovery lead us into a fantastic conversation about how balloon release ceremonies are simply….not worth it. -Katie
Date Posted: July 31, 2011 @ 10:05 am Comments (0)
Posted by: Katie Transue
I haven’t spent much time on boats. My deep love for the ocean stems from years of exploring the California coast. In fact, this is the first time I have spent more than a few hours out in deep water….and my body is pretty confused. Seasickness, an intriguing phenomenon, is something all humans chance while traveling and most people will never know their reaction until they are at sea. Mine started as soon as I took my eyes off the horizon to help Charlie prepare a few fishing lures. It feels like once you hit that threshold, theres no going back. I’ll tough it out….being out on the ocean is much to magical to let a little nauSEA get in the way.
Traveling by boat reminds me of touring with musicians. Lots of time to talk, read and think about anything and everything. Jeff, Charlie’s first mate, claims that “boat life” passes by much slower then the fast past speed of life on land. I’ve been thinking about the Sea Dragon crew who just returned from their 3 week trip from Oahu to Vancouver. I wonder how long those 3 weeks seemed to last?
We should be in San Diego early tomorrow morning. Until then, I’ll be searching for this “rhythm” Charlie keeps talking about.
On the upside of being sick….I saw my first bioluminescence!! When a toilet is flushed in a dark bathroom it will often glow because of the bioluminescent microscopic organisms in the sea water used for flushing. Gotta love the small things!! Especially the microscopic! 
– Katie –
Date Posted: July 29, 2011 @ 7:55 pm Comments (0)
Posted by: Katie Transue
Lowering the mast of the Alguita is an incredible process! I watched in awe as Charlie, Jeff and Facundo organized and arranged dozens of lines into a series of line clutches toward the stern of the boat. Within about 10 minutes, the massive mast began its slow decent accompanied by the sound of creaking and groaning metal.
Now…to get under that bridge! -Katie
Date Posted: @ 5:21 pm Comments (0)
Posted by: Katie Transue
It’s early Friday morning and I just arrived at Captain Moore’s place. We’re preparing the ORV Alguita for her departure from Long Beach, CA down the coast to San Diego. I had no problem locating her dock….I just headed toward the massive mast that seemed oddly out of place among the collection of Cruiser, Ski, and Deck boats. This 50 foot, 25 ton aluminum hulled sailing research catamaran will be our home for the next week as we travel, trawl, and teach others how marine debris data is collected. After meeting Charlie and the rest of the crew at the dock gate; I boarded the Alguita, picked a bunk, and began preparing for our voyage.
The cabin of the Alguita is much more homey and comfortable then I had expected. We have all of the usual kitchen amenities, cozy bunks, and most importantly…delicious food that had been harvested from Charlie’s garden.
I better get up on deck…the downside of docking the Alguita in Alamitos Bay is her mast has to be lowered in order to pass underneath the small bridges that connect the harbor. Charlie has appointed me the official “horn blower”….so I better go stand on the bow and watch for trouble!
– Katie
Date Posted: @ 4:10 pm Comments (0)
Posted by: Katie Transue
After three weeks out of sight of land, we are finally approaching Vancouver. We’ll head into the Straits de Juan de Fuca, and sail up to Victoria BC, arriving late tonight. Then, a day in Victoria before we sail the 80 miles to Vancouver on Wednesday and home!
There is so much to report, so many details of this amazingly challenging and enriching voyage. Marcus Eriksen, our lead scientist, has written a comprehensive report of the voyage – what we gathered in the trawls, the organisms found on larger plastic trash pieces, what the seven scientists will be testing for once samples are sent off.
I’ve been busy editing my presentation with new photos and video clips, and much new information about the marine plastic issues that form the core of our crew’s research. I am so looking forward to sharing this experience with different groups of people, from the VT College of Fine Arts (Aug. 4), Cape Ann Museum (Sept. 3), NOAA’s Gloucester headquarters (Fall, tba), and various school and community groups. Seeing firsthand how microplastics pervade the ocean, how they are analyzed by leading environmental and marine scientists onboard, and discussing the many ramifications of their presence in all the oceans, has been an incredible journey. Over time, our small gestures as artists, advocates, activists, and educators will, hopefully, combine to change our addiction to plastics and the way we think about consumption and waste.
Ten things you can do:
1. Stay informed about our plastic world and environmental toxins.
2. Reduce your use of one-time, single use plastics.
3. Conduct your own personal trash audit.
4. Creatively reuse and repurpose your plastic products.
5. Refuse to use plastic shopping bags and don’t buy bottled water.
6. Support legislation that increases producer responsibility.
7. Support and try to improve local recycling efforts.
8. Pick a place and pick up the trash there every day.
9. Educate children about responsible use of plastic so they can teach their parents.
10. LIVE MORE SIMPLY.
~ Karen Ristuben.
Date Posted: July 26, 2011 @ 7:17 pm Comments (0)
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