Nuclear Power Plants Found in Tsunami Risk Zones

Recently, a study led by European researchers found that 22 nuclear power plants are susceptible to the dangers of tsunamis, much like the Fukushima power plant that suffered a partial meltdown due to a tsunami back in March of 2011. Most of the 23 power plants found were in east and southeast regions of Asia, according to researchers. Of these 23 power plants, 13 of them are active while the remaining 10 are almost completed, or are being redesigned to make room for more reactors. With the nuclear crisis that was seen in Fukushima, it is alarming that there are 22 other power plants that are at the same kind of dangerous risk. What’s even more alarming is that even after the Fukushima crisis, there has been a rise in atomic power; China currently holds 27 out of the world’s 64 nuclear reactors that are under construction. Of these 27 reactors being built, 19 of them are under construction in what are considered to be dangerous areas. Japan also has 7 plants in risk zones, while South Korea has 2.
The effects of Fukushima were devastating, and another meltdown like this would once again have devastating effects on humans and the environment. During the Fukushima meltdown, thousands of people had to leave their homes, and many were at risk of exposure to radiation. Along with this, well over half of the radioactivity from Fukushima was dumped into the Pacific Ocean; leaving devastating effects on the environment. So why is it that with the hazards of tsunamis in relation to these power plants known that these power plants are still being built in high risk areas? There is no clear answer to this question. However, for as long as power plants are being built in high risk areas, it is pertinent that energy officials in these countries educate themselves and the community so everyone knows how to deal with these issues if/when catastrophe strikes. 

This GeoEye satellite image shows the nuclear reactors (labeled) at the Fukushima Daiichi plant after the earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern Japan.
CREDIT: GeoEye

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Study Finds Nuclear Plants in Tsunami Risk Zones

 




Suspicious Hazardous Waste in Northwestern Wisconsin

The Wisconsin DNR is looking for our help in finding out who is responsible for hazardous waste being dumped in northwestern Wisconsin. Around Labor Day weekend, officials found a variety of coatings, paint and solvent waste dumped in Siren, in Burnett County. This hazardous waste was also seen in Frederic and Polk County. This dumping was found on both public and private land, and there is still no lead on who is responsible for the dumping. Hazardous waste not only poses a health risk to wildlife, but it also pollutes groundwater which in turn poses serious health risks to people. These toxins need to be properly disposed of in order to greatly reduce the effects they have on humans and wildlife. Anyone with information is encourage to call the Wisconsin DNR tip line at 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367). Those who have any information on who has set up these dump sites, or those who have come across a hazardous waste site are encouraged to call.

An image of some of the toxic waste found in northwestern Wisconsin

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DNR Investigates Illegal Hazardous Waste Dumping

For information on hazardous waste and ways to properly dispose of it, visit:

Wisconsin DNR

"Firenado" Hits the Australian Outback

On Tuesday afternoon, a rare 100 foot hight "firenado" tore through the Australian outback, where it is reported that firefighters have been fighting brush fires for almost a week. These rare firenados occur when ground level tornado-like winds come into close contact with fire, thus propelling the flames upwards. Though firenados usually last no longer than two minutes, this one in particular lasted forty minutes! Like many parts of the world, Australia is suffering from drought and hasn't seen rainfall since the end of April. These intense dry conditions make for a perfect environment for brush fires, which then led to this firenado. It is evident with stories like this, along with the wildfires that are currently ripping through western United States, that drought is a big environmental hazard that has a huge impact on society and nature.

This 100-foot tall firenado ripped through the Australian outback on 9/18/2012





For more information on this story, along with footage of the firenado caught on camera by Australian filmaker Chris Tangey, please visit the following site:
Firenado Caught on Video by Australian Filmaker

Are U.S. Schools Ready For The Next Pandemic?

After a study led by Terri Rebmann, Ph.D associate professor at SLU's Institute of Biosecurity was released, the data showed that most schools in the U.S. are not prepared for bioterrorism attacks, pandemics, or infectious outbreaks to hit. Though there is no immediate threat or speculation these events will come sometime soon, it is best to be prepared for them; especially after events such as the H1N1 pandemic back in 2009. After the study, Dr. Rebmann and her colleagues found that only 48% of schools address pandemic preparedness, and only 40% of schools have updated their pandemic preparedness plans since the H1N1 outbreak in 2009. For this study, there were over 2,000 nurses in elementary-high schools surveyed in 26 different states. So why is this a big deal and how does it affect us? Influenza and other infectious diseases are communicable, which poses a big problem in school settings since children often come in very close contact with each other. Because of this, it is pertinent that schools have prepared nurses, faculty and staff to minimize situations as they occur. As a future educator, I think that it is important for not only nurses to be prepared for pandemic, but I also find it important that all school staff be given training on the schools pandemic preparedness plan, which should be updated often. The more information and preparation that is out there for school staff, the more likely it is that the spread of influenza and other disease can be prevented.

For more information on this study and it's findings, visit:
Majority of U.S. Schools Not Ready For Next Pandemic, Researchers Say

 

COLORAMA

Even though Wisconsin's summer was filled with record breaking temperatures and devastating drought, it is believed that Wisconsin will still have a color-filled fall. According to Danielle Johnson, spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, northern Wisconsin received enough rain this summer to make for a, "good colorama year." In southern Wisconsin, this may not necessarily be the case. Due to high temperatures and the drought that much of southern Wisconsin suffered, many trees, especially those in low areas, are stressed because of the extreme summer conditions seen this year. Due to the lack of sunlight and water, many trees in low areas such as roadsides and ditches are already experiencing color change because of shortened days now that September is here. Because of this, these trees in particular have started storing food, and thus, are changing colors early. Jason Quast, assistant forest superintendent at the Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit believes that the vibrancy of colors on the leaves in southern Wisconsin will be affected from this summer's weather. Not only did the extreme heat and drought take a heavy toll on farmers this summer, the trees are clearly suffering too; which we are paying for with apple prices that are much higher than usual. With Wisconsin being well-known for its beauty during the fall, it will be interesting to see if the trees have the same color and beauty that they usually bring during fall in the weeks to come. I am from Germantown, Wisconsin (southeastern Wisconsin) and have always loved going to Holy Hill Cafe during the fall to look at the beautiful leaves so it will be interesting to see over Thanksgiving break how things have changed. Holy Hill is a popular tourist attraction during the fall, so hopefully the leaves can show the same beauty that they usually do, even with the heat and drought that has affected them.

Beautiful trees on Pike Lake near Hartford Wisconsin- 2003. 

For more information, please visit this article:
Despite Drought, Wisconsin Expects Colorama

Also, for more information on where to find the most colorful maples, oaks and aspen trees this year, visit the Kettle Moraine State Forest Website.

Hurricane Issac Brings Back Memories of BP Oil spill

Though Hurricane Isaac has left the Gulf, it's devastating affects are still a very serious issue. Lab tests have recently confirmed that the oil splotches found on two beaches in Louisiana are from the BP oil spill in 2010. Due to the intense size of the waves, oil from the 2010 spill was stirred up, and found on Elmer's Island and Grand Isle. Along with the reappearance of oil from the BP spill, Louisiana and Alabama both reported tar balls from the spill that were washed up on shore. Not only did the oil spill have an immense affect on people, it greatly affected our wildlife. So when will the affects of the BP oil spill end? Spokesperson Grant Brown of the Gulf Shores believes that this issue is something we will be dealing with for years. Cleanup crews are had at work cleaning up the oil that has risen due to Hurricane Issac, so hopefully improvements will be made soon. As a future science teacher, The BP oil spill is a great interest of mine, and it is very interesting to see how a natural disaster such as Hurricane Issac can bring back some of the devastating affects we saw from the 2010 oil spill. 

 

For more information on this topic, please visit this article:

Isaac Churned up Oil From BP Spill in LA., Tests Confirm