The Weekly Dive Vol. 18


Fukushima radiation arrives on West Coast. Kelp off of Central and Southern California was found to contain radioactive iodine in levels much higher than prior to the Fukushima’s nuclear melt down, but because of iodine 131’s extremely short half life, researchers do not expect it to be harmful to humans. [Adventure Journal; Environmental Health News]

Disappearing sea ice equals faster internet? As the Arctic loses ice cover, a trans-Arctic fiber optic cable is anticipated, which will improve the connection speed between Europe and Asia by 30%. [Grist]

As scientists work to understand mass dolphin stranding in Peru, the US suspends sonar-based oil exploration. 1000 dead dolphins per month have been arriving on Peruvian beaches, and scientists believe the cause is sonar used in oil exploration. In a separate case, the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management told oil companies to cease seismic testing until the end of dolphin calving season, in light of frequent strandings. [Treehugger; Businessweek]

Oceans have been warming for 100 years. The ocean stores much of the Earth’s heat so its temperature is a strong measure of climate imbalance. In the first study to compare modern data to nineteenth century figures from the HMS Challenger, researchers found the ocean has been warming for longer than previously thought, which could help scientists better understand sea level rise and climate patterns. [The Huffington Post]

Climate changing? Hunters and fishermen speak up. As warming winters affect wildlife behavior and survival, climate change reform advocacy is coming from an unexpected group: hunters and anglers. [The Los Angeles Times]

Florida Keys lobster poachers land in prison. A conspiracy involving over $263,000 in illegally caught and sold lobster led to heavy fines and jail time in a federal case. [The Miami Herald]

Whalerider: This video shows the first recorded examples of playful interspecies interactions between whales and dolphins, in which a whale lifted a dolphin into the air and let the dolphin slide back down its nose.


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