Tons of human waste dumped into crevasses on Mt. McKinley's glaciers could surface in the next two decades, according to scientists from Alaska Pacific University. Glaciologist Mike Loso says that the estimated 65 tons of solid waste will work its way to the bottom of the glacier in the next 15 to 25 years. But while the droppings will still be full of illness-causing bacteria like fecal coliform and E. coli, it won't likely pose a threat to human health. "We could do the math and figure out h... Read More
On Wednesday, a record 41,000 sockeye salmon, a once-diminishing species, swam over dams to their spawning grounds in the Northwest's Columbia River Basin. In 1995 the area saw fewer than 9,000 salmon total. Biologists ascribe the resurgence to improved dams, favorable ocean conditions, and restored habitat in the Okanagan River Basin, which drains into the Columbia River. More than 290,000 mostly wild-bred salmon have returned so far this summer, and biologists expect over 400,000 total. "Rig... Read More
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have posted warnings around the park and closed two campgrounds due to increased bear activity. A spokesperson said that bears in several areas across the park had become dangerously bold in interactions with humans, coming close to visitors and scavenging for food. “I think we’re still seeing the effects of poor natural food sources—a poor acorn crop and poor berry crop,” said Mike Carraway, North Carolina Wildlife Resource... Read More
David Beckham was informed Wednesday that he failed to make the cut for the British soccer team in the upcoming London Olympics. The 37-year-old East Londoner, who was widely expected to receive a spot on the roster, had said last month that he thought he had a "good chance" of competing in his home town's Olympic Games. "Naturally I am very disappointed, but there will be no bigger supporter of the team than me," Beckham said in a statement. The Football Association has yet to issue an explan... Read More
Stormwater runoff is polluting U.S. beaches and sickening 3.5 million people each year, according to an annual report from the Natural Resources Defense Council released Wednesday. With more than 10 million gallons of untreated storm water entering surface water each year, the country's beaches are plagued with bacteria-laden human and animal waste. In a survey of some 3,000 beaches, the NRDC found 15 that repeatedly had higher than acceptable bacteria levels. Louisiana was found to have the p... Read More
